Jul
4
Written by:
Pete
04/07/2011 07:00
How to plant a church
Adapted from a study on Hill City Church (hillcitychurch.org), a recent church plant in the South Wales Valleys. Contact Andrew Toovey (contact@andrewtoovey.co.uk) for the full essay.
There are a vast array of resources available to churches today, to help them grow, reach out and disciple. But as I look at many of the aging and declining churches near me in the Welsh Valleys, those ideas which rely on having energetic, proactive or gifted members are simply not feasible for struggling churches.
So what can be done? Interestingly, the means and mindset which cause a church to grow are, by God’s grace, available to every Christian.
Confidence in God
Throw yourself on God, to first love, and second serve him. When decisions are bewildering, seek God's guidance; when situations become overwhelming seek God’s peace; when the task seems impossible, seek God’s strength.
For struggling churches, the question is, ‘Where is your confidence?’ Tradition and familiarity can quickly become a substitute for seeking God’s nourishment for life and growth.
Commitment to the Gospel
Whilst churches have no reason to shy away from using technology to aid services, or provide a website to make sermons available, the strategy at the heart must be simple and uncomplicated: believe and preach the gospel. This will mean us each working hard at overcoming our own ‘cultural colour-blindness’, in order to communicate gospel truth plainly and faithfully. This will mean asking the question, 'Who is God calling to preach?' rather than, 'Who feels like preaching?' or even, 'Who is the most impressive preacher?'
Declining churches must face the question, ‘Is the gospel proclaimed clearly, in language both believers and unbelievers can understand?’ Outdated vocabulary and Christian jargon all too quickly mask a shallow understanding and therefore impede genuine spiritual growth and obedience.
Concern for People
Don't just point the finger and grumble about others - lead by example in initiating relationships with unbelievers, meeting them where they are at, with concern for both their practical and spiritual needs.
We don't need to bait the hook of the gospel with the juicy worm of social action. Rather, we must demonstrate the gospel in deeds, even as we share it in words. Those first few, seemingly insignificant friendships with the people surrounding you in your community may well be the seeds from which the church will begin to take root and grow.
It is easy for insular churches to superficially discharge their evangelistic duty by, for example, putting up a new poster on their notice board outside, then blame God when no-one new shows up. Reaching out to a community takes courage, but it must begin with concern for hell-bound sinners and not a sporadic desire to appease guilt.
The future of Evangelicalism in the Valleys, and further afield, depends not on simply claiming that these three attitudes are central to the church, but in practically putting each into action; embedding them in the DNA of every new disciple. What is needed most is not gimmicks, slavery to contextualisation, or youthful energy but a small missionary community who trust God, stick with the gospel, and love people.