Do we really need more churches in North America?
Absolutely! While it appears that there is a church on every corner, that is far from the reality. While there may be church buildings, they are occupied by fewer and fewer Christians.
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The percentage of the American population that participates in a weekly worship gathering has been declining for years. In 1990, 20.4% of the American population could be found worshipping in any kind of Christian church on any given weekend. By 2000 that number had dropped to 18.7%. In 2005 it was 17.5% and in 2010 it was 16.2%. Furthermore, while the majority of churches in America are comprised of white suburbanites, urban African Americans and Hispanics, the U.S. population is quickly becoming far more culturally diverse. Traditional churches are no longer a cultural fit for a rapidly growing segment of American society, including the children and grandchildren of those who continue to faithfully worship in shrinking congregations.
Beyond statistical reasons for planting new churches, church planting has been fundamental to the expansion of the Kingdom of God since the Apostles and early Christians scattered throughout the Roman Empire. Furthermore, our God is a missionary god. He has come to us in many ways, most significantly in Jesus Christ. And just before returning to heaven, Jesus declared in John 20:21, “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” Christians are a sent people. They were sent into the nooks and crannies of the Roman empire and they are sent into the emerging communities, the revitalizing urban neighborhoods, the university campuses and the places where new populations are appearing all over North America.
What is the nature of church planting?
Sometimes we say that church planting is like riding a rollercoaster; exhilarating and terrifying! Church planting is not for the faint of heart or for those who are looking for a comfortable maintenance ministry. Church planting is for the visionary leader who always believes the church’s best days are yet to come. It is for the apostolic leader whose heart beats wildly for those in our world disconnected from God. Church planting is for those among us who can see unbelievers coming to Christ more clearly than most others. Church planting is being a Kingdom farmer; planting and waiting, watering and waiting…until God makes it grow. It requires great vision and great patience.
Who can plant churches -- can I?
Yes and No. Anyone can plant a church if he or she is called and empowered by God. One of Mission Alive’s roles is to help the individual discern if he/she is being called and gifted to plant churches. However, not everyone is called or gifted to plant churches. Not everyone has the apostolic impulse to ‘go’ and build new foundations. Mission Alive helps individuals, couples and teams discern their calling and potential and then equips them both theologically and strategically to be as effective as possible.
Do I do this alone or are there people who could help me?
Church planting is not a ministry someone should do solo. Church planters working with Mission Alive are encouraged to build a team of individuals and families to join them as a ‘launch team.’ They are also surrounded by several levels of support. Each Mission Alive church planter has a coach and a Partnering Team. The church planting coach helps the church planter discern God’s direction and develop intentional ways of following God’s leading for the church plant. Mission Alive Partnering Teams work with the church planter to provide leadership for the church plant until leadership is developed so that the church planter is not left without help and resources.
Is Mission Alive part of a denomination?
No. Mission Alive is boldly Christian without adopting any particular denominational identity. Churches in the Mission Alive Network may associate themselves however they choose while still partnering with Mission Alive and other churches in the Mission Alive Network.
Does Mission Alive financially support the churches planted in the Mission Alive Network?
No. Mission Alive is primarily an equipping and coaching ministry, not a funding organization. However, Mission Alive encourages most leaders to participate in a fundraising training boot camp that will empower them to raise 100% of their support. While Mission Alive is not a funding organization, Mission Alive has a very small fund to help new churches with a small amount of start-up funds.
Do Mission Alive church plants all look alike?
No. Mission Alive trains leaders to develop the look of the church they are planting, including the model of church, the doctrinal characteristics, the organizational culture, etc. out of the combination of:
- a well-thought-out theology.
- their study of the community.
- the orientation of their supports and partners.
Next Steps
- Pray about this opportunity.
- Contact Mission Alive for information about church planting.
- Receive Mission Alive updates about church planting in North America.
- Take the Initial Screening Assessment (ISA)
Initial Screening Assessment (ISA)
Do you wonder if you’ve got what it takes for church planting? We’ve partnered with Church Planter Profiles to offer this self-assessment called the Initial Screening Assessment (ISA). It measures the amount of experience one has had related to church planting and offers next steps for growth and development. Select “Mission Alive” as your church planting agency and it will only cost $10 plus we’ll get a copy of it – we’ll even contact you and debrief the results with you if you’d like.
