The reality is American evangelicals close more churches each year than we open new ones.  Like it or not, we are a post-christian nation.  This is why it is so important to plant churches.  I have read stories and met guys that had all the good intentions in the world for their church plant but for some reason or another they failed.  Here are three reason that contribute to the closure of new churches:

1.  Lack of Vision - Habakkuk 2:2-3 tells us to write the vision clear so it is easily understood and able to spread.  There are churches that I have walked into and no one knows the vision of the church.  No one can even articulate a version of the church’s vision.  Problem?  YES!  Vision is key to any church growth but vital for a church plant.  I heard once that if your staff is tired of hearing about the vision then your people will get it and if your people are sick of hearing the vision then your community will get it.  We want our communities to GET IT so preach it until you are blue in the face.

2.  Moral Failure - want to ruin your church plant?  Then have a moral failure.  NOT only you but your staff’s moral failures can ruin your plant.  It is important to have accountability in place to keep you clear of immorality.  Also since your staff can bring it down be slow to hire and give titles.  Your church  plant will thrive without fancy titles.

3.  Lack of Execution – Church planting is fought and won in the trenches.  This is probably one of the hardest components to church planting.  Most church planters are 60 foot view guys.  Let me explain, most guys are entrenched with vision and forget to seek and identify the steps to take to complete the vision which gives them a 60 foot view.  If you are a big picture thinker then you need to surround yourself with execution people, clipboard nazi and self proclaimed bean counters.

Church planting is our only hope so make sure you are ready for the pressures of church planting and educated yourself on the things that can bring it down.

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I believe we need to plant churches like it is going out of style not only because its biblical but because its our only hope.  Here my top 5 reason why we need to plant churches.

1. Hands down most effective evangelism tool - in major denominations around 80% of the recorded salivations came from churches that where younger than two years old.  What does this tell us…? Church plants are more effective.  This doesn’t mean that established churches don’t have there place, they DO and they can have a big impact on the culture of church planting.  Lots of larger and more established churches can fund church planting.
2. We are commanded too! -  the results of the great commission ministry is discipleship and discipleship leads to congregationalism aka church.  So, if we are making disciples we are planting churches.  Right?  Its a natural progression.
3. Lots of lost people - the last stat I read was that there were over 120 million unchurched people in the United States.  This make us the largest mission field in the Western Hemisphere and the fifth largest field in the world.  Hmm, think we should be starting new churches?  Especially since we close somewhere in the neighborhood of 3500 churches each year.
4. Church plants reach younger people – A key characteristic of church plants is that their attenders tend to be younger than churches generally, with more than two-thirds (69%) of adult attenders being aged 15-49 years, compared with only 48% at churches generally.
5. It is the most exciting thing to do on the face of this planet (yeah I’m partial) – need I say more!!!

The fact is we need a reality check.  If we don’t plant more churches than close each year our children won’t have a church to attend.  Actually we need a GUT check.  If you feel like God is leading you to plant then I encourage you to begin the process of becoming a planter.  Here are some good questions to ask yourself before planting.

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I love God sized goals!  There is no way the the ARC (Assocation of Related Churches) will complete their hefty goal unless God is the central focus of what they are doing.  I believe that God is very much a huge part of what they are doing to plant 2000 churches by 2020.  Do you have God sized goals?  If you don’t you really should.  Lets take this example of ARC and apply it to our lives.  To read more about ARC you can visit their site here.

If you are interested in planting a church ARC would be a good organization to research to see if they would be a good fit for your ministry.  Also check out 21 questions you should ask yourself before you plant CLICK HERE.

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What if the Church could be the answer to Jesus’ Prayer?

We pray to Jesus asking Him to answer our prayers – what if we became the answer to His? In John 17:20-24, He prayed that we would be one, and One Prayer is an opportunity to see what can be accomplished when the Church works together. Jesus has a vision for His church and I fear that we are not answering His prayer. Look at what happens when a few hundred churches decide to join together as one. In 2008 here is what happened:

Pastors Enrolled: 609
Evangelistic Contacts: 65,563
Bible Study Participants: 44,618
Baptisms: 7,112
Churches Planted: 667

I can’t wait to see what God is going to do this year at One Prayer 2009.  For more information go to http://www.oneprayer.com

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If you are thinking about planting a church or if would like to see if you might have what it takes to plant a church.  Ask yourself these questions:

1. Is my primary motivation for considering church planting a positive one (such as the glory of God and the salvation of people) and not dissatisfaction with my present situation?

2. Do I believe that church planting is the primary God-ordained strategy by which He accomplishes His will, advances His kingdom and glorifies His name?

3. Do I believe and experience the gospel as the “power of God” not only to save me from sin’s penalty but also from sin’s domineering power over my life?

4. Do I share the gospel with non-believers on a regular basis, and can I point to people who have made professions of faith and are still walking with Christ as a result of my witness?

5. Have I had enough exposure to church planting in a ministry focus group similar to what I am considering that I know what the life of a church planter is like?

6. Am I assured of God’s call on my life to church planting instead of to church pastoring?

7. Do I have the necessary training needed to do church planting effectively?

8. Can I articulate clearly what my gifts and personal characteristics are that would make me effective in church planting in the type community I’m considering?

9. Am I committed to reaching people who are different from me ethnically, racially, generationally, and socio-economically?

10. Is there objective evidence that I am comfortable relating well with secular people (non believers) and able to accept them joyfully into my life and the community of faith?

11. Is my spouse and family willing, even enthusiastic, about our doing church planting?

12. Do I have a gospel-confidence (both lamb-like humility AND lion-like boldness) that, in light of my proven ministry experience, gifts, and skills, I will be effective in church planting?

13. Do I have the spiritual disciplines (consistent personal worship, freedom from patterns of besetting sin, good accountability relationships) necessary for being a spiritual leader truly above reproach?

14. Do I display self-management disciplines (getting work done on time, keeping commitments, consistency, honesty) that will encourage followers to trust my leadership?

15. Have I developed a relatively comprehensive vision (values, mission, philosophy of ministries, gathering strategies, etc.) of the kind of church I want to plant in my ministry focus group?

16. Am I considered a “people person”, someone who is humble, a good listener, teachable, patient, sensitive, and winsome?

17. Do people tend to sit up, listen and come back when I preach–giving evidence that my preaching and communication gifts are special strengths (above average)?

18. Do spiritually wise, influential people in my life tell me that church planting is a right fit for me?

19. Have I had a positive track record in the church ministries I have led–giving strong evidence of my ability both to lead people AND raise up leaders?

20. Do I have a sincere passion for church planting? Is church planting compatible with my personal career goals or is it seen as merely a “stepping stone” to some other ministry in the future?

21. Understanding the gifts and skills of a church planter usually include being a visionary leader, effective evangelist, and an above average Christ-centered preacher, do I have these endowments?

Am I a Church Planter?
If you answered 17 or more with a yes–probably so

If you answered 10-16 with a yes-think, pray and talk to others some more before moving in that direction

Less than 10-possibly not

adapted from 20 Questions, ©ICPC, 2000.

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If your not down with a game for Decision Darts for your next church plant location then take a look at the follow list of cities that have be identified as the fastest growing cities in the states.

According to citymayors.com here is the top ten cities that have seen the largest amount of growth since 2000.

1.  Los Angelos, California – 125.131 (population growth since 200o)

existing church plant – The Hollywood Church

2.  New York, New York – 77,464 (population growth since 200o)

existing church plant – Grace

3.  San Antonio, Texas – 70,079 (population growth since 200o)

existing church plant – SEND ME A COMMENT WITH CHURCH

4.  Phoenix, Arizona – 67,371 (population growth since 200o)

existing church plant – Poiema Church

5.  Houston, Texas – 56,059 (population growth since 200o)

existing church plant – Kaleo Church

6.  Fort Worth, Texas – 50,428 (population growth since 200o)

existing church plant - City View Church

7.  Charlotte, North Carolina – 43,830 (population growth since 200o)

existing church plant - Elevation Church

8.  San Diego, California – 43,353  (population growth since 200o)

existing church plant -The Resolved Church

9.  Raleigh, North Carolina – 40,709 (population growth since 200o)

existing church plant – Christ the King

10.  Henderson, Nevada – 39,471 (population growth since 200o)

existing church plant -Gracepoint Church

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