Almost half of the population of Alabama is unchurched, and one of the most effective ways of reaching them is by planting new churches, according to key leaders at the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions (SBOM).
If church planters aren’t using sound biblical principles, however, the new churches can lose more souls than they win.
“We (at the SBOM) certainly have prayed and worked hard to let leaders know how to start a church,” says Gary Swafford, an associate in the office of associational and cooperative missions for the SBOM.
In the year 2000, the SBOM, under the leadership of the new work subcommittee of the executive committee, set a goal for establishing 270 new congregations in Alabama between 2001 and 2005.
So far, the program is staying on track with approximately 170 new churches started around the state by the end of 2003, according to Ron Madison, director of the SBOM’s office of associational and cooperative missions.
“It takes fewer church members to reach lost people in a new church than in an established church,” Madison said. “We don’t know why; maybe it’s the excitement associated with something new.”
When contacted by local associations, existing churches or pastors and laymen about planting a new church, the SBOM provides statistical data from the 2000 census and projections for 2005 to identify population growth pockets where new churches might be needed.
It assists in conducting windshield surveys to identify new population pockets in different types of housing, such as multifamily dwellings or new subdivisions.
Staff members also try to help people understand that they don’t need a building or a piece of property to start a new church, but can begin in their own homes through cell groups.
“A few are being started this way, but most are planted the more traditional way,” Madison said.
Both Madison and Swafford send church planters a packet of information that includes the brochure, “Seven Steps to Planting a Church,” published by the North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention.
The steps listed in the brochure are based on those used by the apostle Paul to plant the Philippian church, as outlined in Acts 16:9–15.
These steps include the receiving of a vision from God, enlisting a team, deciding on a place for the new church, finding receptive people, evangelizing nonbelievers, discipling people by building a core group and launching the new church.
Nowhere in that passage of Scripture is the word split used, but that’s how some new churches are started.
Although the word carries a negative connotation, a split can be good if handled correctly, according to Swafford.
“Some churches need to divide, not so much due to size as to the existence of two distinct points of view or methodologies that develop within the congregation,” Swafford said. “They need to recognize that and choose to start another church. In my opinion, they would do better if they divided intentionally instead of unintentionally or waiting until emotions erupt.”
The bad feelings and emotional trauma caused by an unintentional split create barriers to reaching the lost, Swafford said. People in the community are left with the assumption that Christians cannot get along.
Benefits of starting a new church
–Follows the New Testament way of spreading the gospel — kingdom growth.
–Builds a kingdom vision.
–Blesses the sponsoring church with purpose, enthusiasm, numerical growth and increased giving.
–Develops missions-minded leaders with faith in and obedience to Jesus.
–Mobilizes a greater number of church members as missions volunteers.
–Reaches and baptizes unchurched/unsaved people more effectively.
–Penetrates unreached people groups by targeting specific socio-economic lifestyle groups.
–Grows new churches and new ministries faster.
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