As I said last week, I’ve changed… and what I’m about to write is soooo not church thinking in the West. 

I am convinced we need to think differently when it comes to how we plant churches! Otherwise, not only a generation but generations will continue to be lost! 

If we think that church planting involves A. B. C. P. P. P.  the job simply isn’t going to be achieved. Let me explain:

If the focus is … Attendance numbers, Buildings, Cash, Professionalism, Performance or Programs, the multiplication of churches simply will not happen! And multiplication needs to happen if we are to reach millions of lost people in Europe, USA, Australia and yes, even NZ. Christianity is losing ground in these countries. I don’t want to hear that; I don’t want to face that or think about it. But in reality, it is. There are pockets of greatness and some wonderful things happening, but the fields are huge!

Perhaps we should take our models NOT from the West, but elsewhere? Of course, these models need to be relevant to Western people; but there must be some clues, because many countries, such as China, India, Iran, Africa are multiplying like crazy!!!

Have we complicated church? Can we simplify? Do we need $20,000 - $50,000 to plant a church? Why? If we need a building in order to plant, this will be a major hindrance to many who may consider planting new churches. If we need 60 – 100 people to begin a church, it just won’t happen in thousands of towns in Poland, France, Spain and Belgium, why? Because there are often only one or two Christians in the town, if that!! Let’s be honest when a church begins in NZ, Australia or USA, people come from other churches. Is that OK? I guess it is what it is – but, it’s not Plan A.

Please do not hear me say that I am against ABCPPP.

I am simply saying this cannot and should not be ‘THE’ focus if we are serious about harvest and multiplying churches & seeing lost people brought into the kingdom! If we need a building get one, if we need finances let’s find them etc., but let’s be careful what becomes our major focus.

Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE big church, I LOVE buzzing communities of faith, but there are thousands that don’t fit in the walls/programs of these great churches.

We are missing not only a generation, but generations. Does this bother you?  

I wonder if we have complicated church? I wonder if we have complicated Christianity. 

What do you think?

I would love to hear your thoughts on this, please send me an email.