Why Plant Churches?

As a denomination, we are committed to planting churches and are now seeing an average of 53 church planters placed on the field annually. It is estimated that at any time, over 200 churches in the PCA are mission churches, that is, church plants.

But why are we doing this? Why is this a good thing? Sometimes we can become so focused or engaged in doing something that we gradually forget why we’re doing it!

Here are four reasons for all of us in the PCA to be invested in and engaged with planting churches:

#1 – Because it’s the most effective way to fulfill the Great Commission.

More people come to saving faith in Christ in a new church than an established one. Of all the ways Christians have attempted to evangelize there is nothing that has proven to be more effective than starting new churches. This statement has been documented by so many studies that it is now axiomatic.

Some reasons that have been suggested for this are:

(1) New churches tend to be more in tune with the current needs and the culture of the community.

(2) They tend to be more creative and energetic.

(3) They tend to be more intentionally focused on reaching new people especially those who are unchurched and/or not yet believers.

(4) They are perceived as more open and accessible by the general population.

Established churches tend to be more consumed with internal needs and the issues of those already in the congregation. New people often find it more difficult to “break into” an established church where everyone seems to know each other, where to go, and what to do. Being socially shy or unsure of church norms can be major hurdles that don’t seem quite so formidable in a new church where everyone is new.

Jesus said, “The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which is lost” (Luke 19:10). He followed that up by saying, “As the Father has sent me so send I you” (John 20:19) and “Go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). The Parables of the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin, and the Lost (Prodigal) Son (Luke 15) all remind us that lost people matter greatly to our Father. Since this is at the top of His agenda it must on the top of ours as well. And the best way to do that is, apparently, to plant new churches.

#2 – Because of our ecclesiology: We believe in the importance of community formation – i.e. the Church.

Jesus said, “I will build my church” (Matthew 16:18). This means, at least in part, that He is not only interested in saving souls but establishing for himself a new community of people where “I am your God and you are my people”. He is interested in community formation where his people are effectively discipled in the faith (Matthew 28:19), where people love and serve each other using their spiritual gifts (Eph 4:11-16; I Corinthians 12), and where His people work together, combining their time, energy, and resources in advancing the gospel in the world and in loving, serving, and impacting their community for Christ (Philippians 1:27). So we are committed not only to saving souls but in planting churches.

#3 – Because it generates continuing resources and manpower for the mission of the church.

One thing heard frequently from pastors and missions committees is how overwhelmed they can be with the sheer number of missionaries and church planters who are seeking support from their churches. These are wonderful men and women who have been called to exciting ministries in needy places. Churches would like to support them all but just can’t and that leaves many feeling sad and frustrated and sometimes even guilty.

In some ways this is a wonderful “problem”!! It’s the sign of a healthy denomination that would be producing so many called and gifted missionaries and church planters! But how do we support them? And how do we continue to produce a flow of manpower and resources for the world mission of the church? One of the answers is by continuing to plant new churches that generate new resources and manpower for the mission of the church.

Many ministries that are supported by churches and individuals require ongoing support for the life of the mission. But in most cases supporting a church soon comes to an end and in its place is a new self-supporting entity that is now generating new resources and manpower for Kingdom work. What a “bang for the buck”!! The “gift that keeps on giving”! There is hardly a better investment in the work of the Kingdom than that of planting churches with a Great Commission vision for reaching the lost in all parts of the world.

#4 – Because it is one of the most effective ways of keeping a church healthy or of revitalizing a church.

Churches that are actively engaged in planting new churches are often themselves the biggest beneficiaries. In the sacrifice and hard work that might sometimes be involved in planting a church, it’s the mother church that is usually the most blessed with renewed health and vigor. In addition to prayer, the faithful preaching of the Word, and the celebration of the sacraments, there is no better way to keep a church healthy or invigorate a church than to pursue a Great Commission vision that involves the planting of new churches.

In this way, members of the congregation see firsthand and are even actively engaged in the mission of the church and experience the unique presence and power of Christ in so doing. They have the chance to invest their time and energies in the greatest enterprise this side of heaven – planting new churches.

There are compelling and exciting reasons for being engaged in the planting of new churches in all the different communities and all the different people-groups of North America … and beyond. That is why it is our vision “to see a grassroots church planting movement” emerge in the PCA by the grace of God and for His glory. We believe this will happen as more and more churches and presbyteries embrace a Great Commission vision which they seek to fulfill in the planting of biblically healthy churches.

For more resources on church planting, click here to get to our Resource Pages.

Back to Church Planting

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Developing Church Planting Networks Conference

What is a Church Planting Network? How do they work? How does one get started? Join MNA October 7-8, 2008, at Park Cities Presbyterian Church in Dallas TX to learn how Networks can help advance God’s Kingdom. Click here to learn more and to register.