Why should we emphasize Church Planting

in the U.S.?

After all,

Don’t we already have enough churches?Don’t we already have enough churches? Shouldn’t we focus on strengthening and Shouldn’t we focus on strengthening and

filling the existing ones first?filling the existing ones first? Aren’t there quite a few new churches Aren’t there quite a few new churches

already being started?already being started?Here’s why...Here’s why...

Estimated American Unchurched Population

195 MillionGeorge Gallup

The Combined Communicant Membership of Protestant Churches

over the Last Ten Years

Church MembershipChurch Membership Declined 9.5%Declined 9.5%

While the US PopulationWhile the US Population Increased 11.4%Increased 11.4%

ASCG Journal of Church Growth

Increased 24,153,000 people

Decreased 4,498,242 people

Evangelical churches have failed to gain an Evangelical churches have failed to gain an additional two percent of the population over additional two percent of the population over the past fifty years.the past fifty years.

No countyNo county in America has a greater percentage in America has a greater percentage of churched persons today than a decade ago.of churched persons today than a decade ago.

HalfHalf of all churches last year did not add of all churches last year did not add oneone new member through “conversion growth”. new member through “conversion growth”.

Barna and ASCG

U.S. Church to Population Ratio

In In 19001900, there were , there were 2727 churches for every churches for every 10,000 people.10,000 people.

In In 19501950, there were , there were 1717 churches for every churches for every 10,000 people.10,000 people.

In In 19961996, there were , there were 1111 churches for every churches for every 10,000 people. 10,000 people.

Church Facts

North America is the ONLY continent North America is the ONLY continent where Christianity is where Christianity is NOTNOT growing. growing.

Church attendance is declining - Church attendance is declining -

approximately 10% over the last 7 years.approximately 10% over the last 7 years.

Church Facts

We We lose 72lose 72 churches per week or 10.27 per day.churches per week or 10.27 per day.

We We gain 24gain 24 churches per week or 3.42 per day.churches per week or 3.42 per day.

That’s a That’s a net lossnet loss of of 4848 churches per week or churches per week or

6.85 per day.6.85 per day.

Church Facts (continued)

The United States is…The United States is…

the the largestlargest post-Christian nation on earth. post-Christian nation on earth. the the thirdthird largest largest ununchurched nation.churched nation.

Church Facts (continued)

What once was the number one sending What once was the number one sending nation of foreign missionaries is now the nation of foreign missionaries is now the thirteenth largest receptor nation.thirteenth largest receptor nation.

We have become a society that We have become a society that 50 years ago every 50 years ago every denomination would have felt denomination would have felt compelled to missionize.compelled to missionize.

Tom CleggTom Clegg

If these are the facts;as the Church, how are we to

respond?

We cannot continue to do business as

usual . . .

Insanity is doingthe same old things - the same old way -

and expecting different results.

Einstein

Most of our visioningis re-visioning a more efficient and effective

past.

Let’s face it, here in America

we are losing the war!

Radical times requirea radical solution!

2 Chronicles 7:14

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

We must begin with God’s response . . .

On the average, evangelical churches...

……younger than 3 years old, annually win younger than 3 years old, annually win 1010 people to Christ per 100 church members.people to Christ per 100 church members.

...3-15 years old, annually win ...3-15 years old, annually win 55 people to people to Christ per 100 church members.Christ per 100 church members.

……older than 15 years old, annually win older than 15 years old, annually win 33 people to Christ per 100 church members.people to Christ per 100 church members.

Christianity Today, January 1991Christianity Today, January 1991

Implication: Church plants are more effective Implication: Church plants are more effective evangelistically.evangelistically.

Megachurches vs. Minichurches

(Results from an international survey of 1000 churches)MegachurchesMegachurches Average size: 2,856Average size: 2,856 On the average, won On the average, won

112112 people to Christ people to Christ over 5 years.over 5 years.

MinichurchesMinichurches Average size: 51Average size: 51 On the average, won On the average, won

3232 people to Christ people to Christ over 5 years.over 5 years.

Natural Church Development, pp. 47-48

Implication: Minichurches (some of which were church starts) are 1600% more effectively evangelistically.

The Mission:

To continue starting healthy new churches which To continue starting healthy new churches which are passionate about seeing people come to know are passionate about seeing people come to know Christ and sponsoring other new churches.Christ and sponsoring other new churches.