Just to get you thinking... As a Christian here are some questions that shouldn't be to far away from our mind.

What was Jesus essential call?

What was the apostle Paul’s strategy?

How do new churches revitalise existing churches?

Tim Keller, from Redeemer Presbyterian Church, USA, writes a powerful article 'Why Plant Churches?' (See below for the link to the full article.)

But here is the (cheat’s notes) summary: In the article he strongly suggests that: 'Jesus essential call was to plant churches'. That's powerful. Virtually all of the great evangelistic challenges of the New Testament are basically calls to plant churches: Matt 28:18-20 and Acts 2:41-47.

The only way to be really sure you are increasing the number of Christians in a town is to increase the number of churches. ‘Paul’s whole strategy was to plant urban churches’. Tim Keller gives us some facts:

1. New churches best reach: a. New generations, b. New residents, c. New people groups.

2. New churches best reach the unchurched – period! Many denominational studies have confirmed that the average new church gains most of its new members (60-80%) from people who are not attending any worshipping body.

“It is a great mistake, Keller goes on to say, to choose between church planting & church renewal.” Strange as it may seem, the planting of new churches in a city is one of the VERY best ways to revitalise many older churches in the vicinity and renew the whole body of Christ. WHY?

1. New churches bring new ideas to the whole body.

2. New churches are the best ways to surface creative, strong leaders for the whole body.

3. New churches challenge other churches to self-examination.

4. The new church may be an evangelistic feeder for the whole community.

For the full article see... http://download.redeemer.com/pdf/learn/resources/Why_Plant_Churches-Keller.pdf "Church planting is still the most effective long term evangelistic method under God's heaven!" How are you involved?