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