Overcoming Common Obstacles to Church Planting

Overcoming Common Obstacles to Church Planting

I have had the privilege of serving my entire ministry in Southern Baptist Churches. I came to Southern Baptist life and mission in my college years after being raised in independent Baptist churches in central and southwest Virginia. One of the things that drew me to Southern Baptist life was the cooperative nature of our mission efforts. Through the Cooperative Program, Southern Baptists declare that we are better together in mission that separate.

Yet, while almost every SBC church will give to church planting through CP giving and agree that church planting is one of the most effective ways to reach new people with the gospel, many existing churches hesitate to engage in starting new congregations. Having served in the starting of 3 different churches, I have observed several common obstacles prevent churches from participating in the much needed work of church planting. With intentional strategies, these challenges can be overcome.

Obstacle #1: Fear of Losing People and Resources

Many churches worry that supporting a church plant will lead to losing valuable members, leaders, or financial resources. It hear the common refrain: “If our church is barely treading water and sees few new guests, what will happen to us.” The fear of weakening the home church can make leaders hesitant to invest in planting.

But what if we are thinking about all this all wrong? What if by trusting God by sacrificing people and resources, what we actually see is a fresh wind of the Spirit in both churches? Of course, we cannot manipulate or command the Spirit but how often has church history shown us that God moves not through the strength of his people but through the faithfulness of his people?

Instead of seeing church planting as a loss, churches should view it as multiplication. Biblical examples, like Paul’s missionary journeys, show that sending people out strengthens the overall mission of the Church. When churches send out leaders and members for a new plant, God often raises up new leaders and revitalizes the sending church.

When we planted Grace Church (Now Emmanuel Baptist Church), our sending church, Providence Baptist Church in Nolensville, was only a 7 years old church with a new mortgage that was running about 275-300 on any given Sunday. In 2015, not only did Providence commission me to plant but they gave me free reign to recruit a planting team. Eight families committed to launch Grace Church in January 2016. We had about 35 total adults and children on our first Sunday. 9 years later, Providence has grown back up to nearly 300 active attenders and Emmanuel Baptist Church today has around 200 regular attenders. Two healthy Christ exalting churches now exist because of those faithful and sacrificial decisions in 2015.

Obstacle #2: A Survival Mindset
Struggling churches often feel they must focus on their own stability before thinking about planting another church. If a congregation is facing declining attendance or financial strain, church planting may seem impossible. The solution for this obstacle is similar to Obstacle #1 but perhaps we can add another dimension to this mindset. Churches do not have to plant alone. They can partner with other churches, networks, or denominations to share the burden.

Additionally, even struggling churches can contribute by praying, encouraging a planter, or offering small financial gifts. Dare I say that a bold leader might even encourage his church to offer usage of their building to a church. I cannot count the many times that the presence of a healthy, growing church helps revitalize another church simply by their presence. Church planting can bring new life and vision to an existing church, helping it regain a missional focus.

Obstacle #3: Lack of Vision for Multiplication

Some churches simply do not see church planting as a priority. They may be focused on maintaining their existing congregation rather than expanding the gospel’s reach. They may even see the presence of a church plant in their community as a threat to their existence.

But this need not be the case! Churches must intentionally cultivate a multiplication mindset by preaching about the biblical mandate for planting churches (Acts 13:1-3; Matthew 28:19-20). The church is a missional entity first and when the fire for this purpose is extinguished, no amount of self protection can keep an existing church from experiencing the very painful of reality of stagnation and eventually decline. Hosting planters and associational leaders who work with church plants, sharing success stories, and engaging in mission efforts can inspire the congregation to see the bigger picture.

Obstacle #4: Uncertainty About How to Get Involved

Even churches that want to help often do not know where to start. They may feel unqualified or unsure of what role they can play in church planting. I run into this often as well. They think they a program or bold young leader to be part of the church planting world. This is not true!

Churches can begin by connecting with church planting networks or denominational leaders for guidance. They can take small steps, such as committing to pray for a church plant, financially supporting a planter, or sending volunteers to assist a new church in practical ways.

Additionally, they can encourage and free up their pastors to invest time meeting with church planters and encouraging them. Planting New churches is hard. They need all the help they can get!

Obstacle #5: Concerns About Church Planting Failures

Some churches hesitate because they have seen or heard about failed church plants and worry about investing time and resources into something uncertain. It is true, sometimes church plants fail. In fact, just a couple decades ago, Southern Baptists had an abysmal track record of church planting success.

While not every church plant succeeds, many thrive when they receive adequate support, coaching, and resources. What recent experience has shown us is that church planting is a very isolating world. When pastors and churches make sure that planters have relational support in addition to financial support, the ratio of church plants that survive and even thrive is far greater today than just 20 years ago. Churches can increase the likelihood of success by partnering with experienced church planting networks that provide training and mentorship. Planting with a team and ensuring strong leadership development also reduces the risk of failure.

Despite these common obstacles, every church can play a role in church planting. By shifting from a mindset of scarcity to one of multiplication, seeking partnerships, and taking small but intentional steps, churches can help launch new congregations that will spread the gospel for generations to come. Rather than seeing challenges as roadblocks, churches should view them as opportunities for faith, growth, and kingdom expansion.

Tom Agnew
Starting Churches Team Leader

The Urgent Need for Church Planting in America’s Ever-Changing Cultural Landscape

The Urgent Need for Church Planting in America’s Ever-Changing Cultural Landscape

As America’s religious landscape undergoes rapid transformation, church planting must become a top priority for existing churches and denominations. With increasing secularization, declining church attendance, and shifting cultural norms, the need for new, vibrant congregations has never been greater. Church planting is not just an option, it is a necessity for the future of Christianity in America.

1. Addressing Decline and Reaching the Unchurched

Many established churches are aging and shrinking, with younger generations disengaging from traditional forms of worship. While revitalizing existing congregations is essential, new churches are often more effective at reaching unchurched and de-churched individuals. Church plants tend to foster a fresh vision for evangelism, discipleship, and community engagement, making them a critical tool for spiritual renewal.

2. Creating Contextualized Ministry Opportunities

New churches have the flexibility to adapt to diverse cultural and demographic contexts. Whether in urban centers, suburban communities, or rural areas, church plants can shape their ministries to meet the unique needs of their surrounding populations. This contextual approach allows for innovative expressions of worship, outreach, and community service that resonate with local communities and effectively communicate the gospel.

3. Expanding the Kingdom and Strengthening the Church

Church planting is one of the most effective ways to expand the reach of the gospel. Studies indicate that younger churches often grow faster and have a higher percentage of new believers than established congregations. Additionally, church plants inspire and challenge existing churches to renew their focus on mission, fostering a spirit of multiplication rather than mere maintenance. When churches invest in planting, they experience renewal in their own congregations as they develop a kingdom-minded perspective.

4. Preparing for Future Generations

The future of Christianity in America depends on how well today’s churches invest in tomorrow’s spiritual leaders and congregations. By prioritizing church planting, denominations and local churches can cultivate the next generation of pastors, lay leaders, and disciples who will carry the faith forward. Without new churches, future generations may find fewer opportunities to connect with the gospel in meaningful and relevant ways.

While strengthening existing congregations remains important, the urgency of America’s changing religious landscape demands a proactive approach to church planting. By investing in new churches and developing focused associational strategies, local congregations can ensure that the gospel continues to reach new generations and communities. A commitment to church planting secures a vibrant and faithful future for Christianity in America, ensuring that Christ’s mission thrives in an ever-changing world.

Tom Agnew
Starting Churches Team Leader

Will You Join Me in Prayer?

Will You Join Me in Prayer?

I have probably said those words thousands of times. Every Sunday for the past 26 years, I and

every other pastor I know has said these words as we have gathered with God’s people for

worship together. I wonder if we ever stop to think about how powerful this seemingly ordinary

practice actually is. Yet, if we are honest, how prone are we to neglect this profound power that

we have the privilege in which to engage. Prayer can become such a fruitless and passive activity

if we are not intentional in our practice of congregational prayer.

With this in mind, I want to invite you to “join me in prayer” with your church to intentionally

pray for the need to start new churches in our rapidly growing community. What if we made it a

commitment to pray for church planting in Rutherford County a regular routine in our Sunday

morning worship gatherings? At Emmanuel Baptist Church, we are committing ourselves to

pray to this end every 3rd Sunday. It is our church’s particular desire to be instrumental in a

identifying, training and supporting church planters for this great need. Additionally, we

anticipate planting a daughter church out of our church in the next 3-5 years. For this to happen,

it will require immense prayer, asking God to do what we are not capable of doing. As a former

church planter, I know all too well the supernatural work that God does to establish, grow and

sustain a new church.

So as we witness the remarkable growth and transformation in Rutherford County, TN, it’s clear

that God is moving in our midst. With this growth comes a tremendous opportunity and

responsibility to share the gospel and meet the spiritual needs of our expanding communities. As

a network of churches committed to advancing God’s kingdom through Concord Baptist

Association, let me encourage you to lead your church in an intentional focus in prayer for

church planting. Specifically, we want to pray for God to raise up church planters who will bring

the hope and light of Christ to every corner of our county.

We believe that through fervent, collective prayer, God will raise up passionate leaders and

create new opportunities for outreach and discipleship. To guide our prayers, we’ve outlined a

few specific prayer points:

Pray for Laborers: Ask God to stir the hearts of men and women with a calling to plant new

churches in Rutherford County. Pray for a fresh wave of Spirit-led leaders who are equipped and

ready to serve. (Matthew 9:37-38)

Pray for Vision: Pray that God would give clear vision and direction to those considering

church planting. May they discern the unique needs of our communities and receive divine

strategies for effective ministry. (Proverbs 29:18)

Pray for Resources: Lift up prayers for the financial and material resources necessary for

church plants to thrive. Pray for the needs that church plants will face such meeting spaces,

funding, and the right partnerships to support this kingdom work. (Philippians 4:19)

Pray for Community Receptivity: Ask God to prepare the hearts of those in our county, making

them receptive to the gospel. Pray for open doors and favor in neighborhoods, schools, and

workplaces. (Acts 16:14)

Pray for Unity: Pray for a spirit of unity among our local churches and associations, that we

might work together, celebrate each other’s successes, and strengthen one another in this

mission. Pray that God would restrain any spirit of ranker or desire to protect turf when souls our

their backyard are destined for a Christ-less eternity. (John 17:21)

Pray for Protection: Cover prospective church planters and their families in prayer, asking for

God’s protection against spiritual attacks and for steadfast faith during challenges. As mentioned

above, planting a church is accepting the very real reality that to do so is to engage in Spiritual

warfare. (Ephesians 6:10-18)

I invite you to join me in this prayer initiative, believing that our combined prayers will pave the

way for a Gospel driven movement in Rutherford County like never before. Consider setting

aside time during your services, gatherings, and personal prayer times to lift up these needs.

Together, let’s trust God to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine!

Tom Agnew
Starting Churches Team Leader

How Every Church Can Play a Role in Church Planting

How Every Church Can Play A Role in Church Planting

Have you every been at one of those conferences or denominational meetings where they have the latest explosive church leader share about how they started with their church with 3 people and it grew to 5000 in by their second Sunday? In addition to this, they started 50 churches and sent out 175 missionaries into international missions work by their third year? Ok, ok...I’m being a bit hyperbolic and snarky. But you likely know the feeling.

I was part of another planting network in the early days of Grace Church and it seemed that every message I received from our network leaders was, “you need to learn from this guy...he really knows what he’s doing.” So I did only to become more and more discouraged that I was in fact NOT like him! Certainly, I could learn from him...and I did in some areas. I wonder how many pastors who sit in rooms receiving messages like this year in and year out simply resolve they will never be able to see that kind of work happen in their ministries so they just cash in any thought that they can play any meaningful role in planting churches?

But church planting is not just for large churches with abundant resources, it is a mission that every congregation, regardless of size or budget, can participate in. This is clear in the New Testament. The call to make disciples (Matthew 28:19-20) includes starting new churches, and there are practical ways for every church to contribute to this vital work.

1. Pray for Church Planting Efforts

Every church can start by committing to regular prayer for new churches in their community. Pray for church planters, for God to raise up leaders, and for new congregations to reach people with the gospel. A church can also adopt a specific church plant to support through ongoing intercession.

2. Partner with a Church Planter

Churches can identify and come alongside church planters in their area. This partnership can take many forms, such as offering encouragement, financial support, or even providing a space for gatherings. Several years before I planted Grace Church, I found myself making room to simply take a church planter who moved to Nashville out to lunch each month. He loved sushi and that was all that mattered. We met for lunch and just talked for an hour or so. A smaller church may not be able to fully fund a plant, but by joining forces with other congregations and letting a planter know they are there can make a significant impact.

3. Send People to Help

Churches can encourage members to serve in a church plant, whether as temporary volunteers or as long-term team members. A group of committed people willing to support a new church’s launch whether through worship, hospitality, children’s ministry, or outreach can be an invaluable resource. I have seen the power of this in my own experience. We had some people

help plant Grace that intended to back to our sending church but never did. We had some who served for 3-5 years and eventually they went back to our sending church. The Lord uses all types of commitments to advance this campaign of redemption.

4. Offer Facilities and Resources

Even if a church cannot plant directly, it may have resources that can help. Churches can open their buildings for new congregations to meet, donate equipment, or provide administrative and logistical support to a planting team. When Providence opened their first building, they saved some great sound equipment that eventually was given to Grace Church. Both Providence and Grace got great use out of that equipment.

5. Develop Future Planters and Leaders

A church that disciples and trains leaders is already contributing to church planting. Encouraging members to consider a calling to plant or lead in a new church helps cultivate a multiplication mindset. Churches can also invite church planting coaches or networks to equip their members for future work.

Church planting is not just for a select few, it is a mission that every church can support. Whether through prayer, partnership, sending people, sharing resources, or developing leaders, every congregation can play a role in starting new churches in their community. By working together, we can see more people reached and more vibrant gospel-centered churches established.

Tom Agnew
Starting Churches Team Leader