Comments on: The State of the American Church – Why Church Planting is Critical to the Future of American Christianity http://www.goodmanson.com/church/the-state-of-the-american-church-why-church-planting-is-critical-to-the-future-of-american-christianity/ Church Technology, Internet Ministry & Church Planting Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:24:31 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Charlie Webster http://www.goodmanson.com/church/the-state-of-the-american-church-why-church-planting-is-critical-to-the-future-of-american-christianity/comment-page-1/#comment-209493 Charlie Webster Mon, 28 Mar 2011 18:36:14 +0000 http://www.goodmanson.com/2006-05/16/the-state-of-the-american-church-why-church-planting-is-critical-to-the-future-of-american-christianity/#comment-209493 "is there a model or indication in the NT on how the church is designed to grow?" I hate to do it this way, but in May of this year a book will be published called Revitalizing Christianity that looks at exactly this question. The key is motivation that is both biblical and powerful. It is amazing how badly we have missed key motivational points of God's message, and as a result people in the churches are not motivated to do church plants or any other kind of outreach. We have also so confused people about the very basics of evangelism that most people believe a professional must be involved in the process, and there just never will be enough professionals to do the job (and the ones we have are overworked with other tasks). Drew is right that, at least at this time, church plants are more successful at growth than established churches; and it is also true that established churches often have buildings that establish maximum growth limits; but the biblical principles that can and should motivate Christians in every aspect of life can bring astonishing growth to established churches as well as church plants. I was part of a church in Alabama that was 125 years old when I started attending and that grew dramatically when just a little of this motivating Christianity began to be applied. “is there a model or indication in the NT on how the church is designed to grow?”

I hate to do it this way, but in May of this year a book will be published called Revitalizing Christianity that looks at exactly this question. The key is motivation that is both biblical and powerful. It is amazing how badly we have missed key motivational points of God’s message, and as a result people in the churches are not motivated to do church plants or any other kind of outreach. We have also so confused people about the very basics of evangelism that most people believe a professional must be involved in the process, and there just never will be enough professionals to do the job (and the ones we have are overworked with other tasks).

Drew is right that, at least at this time, church plants are more successful at growth than established churches; and it is also true that established churches often have buildings that establish maximum growth limits; but the biblical principles that can and should motivate Christians in every aspect of life can bring astonishing growth to established churches as well as church plants. I was part of a church in Alabama that was 125 years old when I started attending and that grew dramatically when just a little of this motivating Christianity began to be applied.

]]> By: Eric Harris http://www.goodmanson.com/church/the-state-of-the-american-church-why-church-planting-is-critical-to-the-future-of-american-christianity/comment-page-1/#comment-195109 Eric Harris Tue, 17 Jun 2008 23:43:25 +0000 http://www.goodmanson.com/2006-05/16/the-state-of-the-american-church-why-church-planting-is-critical-to-the-future-of-american-christianity/#comment-195109 I am considering planting a church in my community. There are a lot of traditional churches in the area (Baptist and Methodist) but there are no Evangelical congregations. I don't have a problem with these denominations for the most part but the traditionalism has dried out the community in terms of faith and spirituallity. We need to see revival here and it isn't going to happen if we don't start from scratch with solid Gospel preaching. Need prayers and feedback. Thanks. I am considering planting a church in my community. There are a lot of traditional churches in the area (Baptist and Methodist) but there are no Evangelical congregations. I don’t have a problem with these denominations for the most part but the traditionalism has dried out the community in terms of faith and spirituallity. We need to see revival here and it isn’t going to happen if we don’t start from scratch with solid Gospel preaching. Need prayers and feedback. Thanks.

]]> By: Pat Masek http://www.goodmanson.com/church/the-state-of-the-american-church-why-church-planting-is-critical-to-the-future-of-american-christianity/comment-page-1/#comment-44716 Pat Masek Mon, 02 Apr 2007 12:26:02 +0000 http://www.goodmanson.com/2006-05/16/the-state-of-the-american-church-why-church-planting-is-critical-to-the-future-of-american-christianity/#comment-44716 Do you have any statistics from your research that compare the effectiveness of a new church plant with that of an existing church. Thanks! Do you have any statistics from your research that compare the effectiveness of a new church plant with that of an existing church.

Thanks!

]]> By: dan http://www.goodmanson.com/church/the-state-of-the-american-church-why-church-planting-is-critical-to-the-future-of-american-christianity/comment-page-1/#comment-5735 dan Wed, 31 May 2006 14:37:54 +0000 http://www.goodmanson.com/2006-05/16/the-state-of-the-american-church-why-church-planting-is-critical-to-the-future-of-american-christianity/#comment-5735 <blockquote>The greatest increase and conversion occurs in church plants.</blockquote> this is an interesting statement to me. is there a model or indication in the NT on how the church is designed to grow? or a way that is healthier than others? I like a lot of what Neil Cole said in his book <a href="http://www.google.com/search?q=the+organic+church+neil+cole" rel="nofollow">Organic Church</a> about church growth and planting.

The greatest increase and conversion occurs in church plants.

this is an interesting statement to me. is there a model or indication in the NT on how the church is designed to grow? or a way that is healthier than others?

I like a lot of what Neil Cole said in his book Organic Church about church growth and planting.

]]> By: D. Goodmanson http://www.goodmanson.com/church/the-state-of-the-american-church-why-church-planting-is-critical-to-the-future-of-american-christianity/comment-page-1/#comment-5116 D. Goodmanson Sun, 21 May 2006 01:36:26 +0000 http://www.goodmanson.com/2006-05/16/the-state-of-the-american-church-why-church-planting-is-critical-to-the-future-of-american-christianity/#comment-5116 Derek, "But I am wondering to myself if church planting is the answer when there are already so many half empty churches" I've visited a number of these churches, typically there is a reason they are half empty. Let me clarify, we need more gospel centered, missional churches to be planted. Derek,

“But I am wondering to myself if church planting is the answer when there are already so many half empty churches”

I’ve visited a number of these churches, typically there is a reason they are half empty. Let me clarify, we need more gospel centered, missional churches to be planted.

]]> By: Matt Heerema http://www.goodmanson.com/church/the-state-of-the-american-church-why-church-planting-is-critical-to-the-future-of-american-christianity/comment-page-1/#comment-4936 Matt Heerema Wed, 17 May 2006 15:00:53 +0000 http://www.goodmanson.com/2006-05/16/the-state-of-the-american-church-why-church-planting-is-critical-to-the-future-of-american-christianity/#comment-4936 "Is church planting the answer when there are so many half-empty churches". I don't think it's the only answer, but is definitely a key piece. The solution to the half-empty churches? The Holy Spirit. Perhaps the answer would be to get rid of all of the unbelievers masquerading as pastors in many churches out there? (That sounds harsher than it is supposed to, but I was reading Titus yesterday and it got my ire up a bit...). That's not to suggest that if your church is half-empty, that you have an unbelieving pastor. I just feel that part of the reason for the sorry state of American church (in general) is a lack of reliance on faith. A general lack of belief... “Is church planting the answer when there are so many half-empty churches”.

I don’t think it’s the only answer, but is definitely a key piece.

The solution to the half-empty churches? The Holy Spirit.

Perhaps the answer would be to get rid of all of the unbelievers masquerading as pastors in many churches out there? (That sounds harsher than it is supposed to, but I was reading Titus yesterday and it got my ire up a bit…).

That’s not to suggest that if your church is half-empty, that you have an unbelieving pastor. I just feel that part of the reason for the sorry state of American church (in general) is a lack of reliance on faith. A general lack of belief…

]]> By: Dsnyd http://www.goodmanson.com/church/the-state-of-the-american-church-why-church-planting-is-critical-to-the-future-of-american-christianity/comment-page-1/#comment-4911 Dsnyd Tue, 16 May 2006 23:48:15 +0000 http://www.goodmanson.com/2006-05/16/the-state-of-the-american-church-why-church-planting-is-critical-to-the-future-of-american-christianity/#comment-4911 Not that I disagree, I probably need to read more on reasons for church planting. But I am wondering to myself if church planting is the answer when there are already so many half empty churches? I am sure most of us know of a church plant or church that has closed it's doors, just as we know those that have succeeded. On his site it looks like I have to pay $15 to find out his answer in the The Case for Church Planting. Anyone have comments as to whey church planting? Not that I disagree, I probably need to read more on reasons for church planting. But I am wondering to myself if church planting is the answer when there are already so many half empty churches? I am sure most of us know of a church plant or church that has closed it’s doors, just as we know those that have succeeded. On his site it looks like I have to pay $15 to find out his answer in the The Case for Church Planting. Anyone have comments as to whey church planting?

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