Spring Run Presbyterian

An authentic worshiping community proclaiming to our neighbors the gospel of Jesus Christ

so that together we are progressively transformed by His power and passionately live for Him.

http://www.springrunpc.org

Andrew Conrad, Pastor

                             E-mail Andrew

Why Church Plant?

Since the announcement about the church plant, people have often said things to me like “congratulations” or “how exciting.” People have had many questions from when it will happen to what facility will it meet in. I, too, often think of such things. Without a doubt the most fundamental question to ponder is, “Why plant a church?” I will begin to address that here. You can look for more information to follow from the Church Plant Initiatives Team.

In his book, Church Planting for a Greater Harvest, Peter Wagner states, "I begin this book with a categorical statement that will seem bold and brash to some at first sight, even though it has been well substantiated by research over the past two or three decades: The single most effective evangelistic methodology under heaven is planting new churches."  That is quite a statement. So, is that the end of discussion? No. While this is true there are other reasons we should be planting churches.

The Biblical Mandate[1]
Jesus' Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) was not simply a call to "teach" and "make disciples" but also to "baptize".  Baptism in the New Testament meant incorporation into the worshipping community where there would be teaching, administration of the sacraments and accountability. (Acts 2:41-47) So although many types of ministries and institutions have been formed in the name of Christ, the foundational structure Jesus told us to spread is the church. Also, Paul’s missionary strategy was to plant local churches and “…appoint elders in every town…” (Titus 1:5). The new converts to Christianity were organized and given direction for faith and worship in the living context of a local church.

The Nature of the Church[2]

While the New Testament depicts a Church that is essentially missionary in nature, church history is dominated by a belief that the church is the sender, but not the one sent. Over the centuries, the task of outreach has been entrusted to the gifted few evangelists and missionaries who were sent out from the church to lead people into the church.

But the Church described in the Scripture doesn’t just produce missionaries and risk-taking proponents of the Gospel. It is—at the very core of its identity— a community redeemed and set apart for the purpose of bringing outsiders into this fellowship.

Because of this powerful commission, the ancient creeds of the Church recognized that “We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church” (The Nicene Creed, 325 AD). That the whole Church is catholic carries the meaning that the Church God has established is universal in nature. That the Church is apostolic means the church, as a whole, is sent into the world. And all that the world may know that Jesus Christ has secured sinful humanity’s reconciliation with Almighty God for us.

Historic Reasons[3]
In the first 300 years of America, the number of Protestant churches grew at a much faster rate than the population. In 1820, there was 1 church for every 875 residents. By 1906, there was 1 church for every 400 residents. During this time the population increased 275%, and the number of churches 400%. In 1906, over a third of the congregations of this country were less than 25 years old,[4] and the percentage of the American population that was involved in local churches steadily increased. For example, in 1776, at the founding of our country, 17% of the population were “religious adherents,” but by 1916 that number rose to 53%.

Since 1906, and particularly after WWI, new church planting slowed drastically, for a complex variety of reasons. Since 1906 the population has grown roughly 300%, but the number of Protestant churches has grown no more than 35%. This is no more than one new church planted for every 1,000 new residents now. If we want to renew our country spiritually, we will have to plant thousands and thousands of new churches annually.

So, why plant new churches in Chesterfield County? The current population is 284,000 and it is projected to increase to 319,000 by 2010. The average growth for the county is 2%. However, Spring Run is expected to grow at 4%, Winterpock at 5%, and Midlothian at 7% by 2010. [5]

The county planning department reports that communities are stronger when neighbors know each other and are able to respond to community problems together. In each community, religious, neighborhood and community-based organizations provide residents many opportunities to participate in the civic life of their community. Midlothian has the 3^rd greatest number of organizations per capita while Spring Run had the fewest (25^th on the list).[6]

If we set forth a strategic goal to reach a mere 1% of that population then we would need enough churches to shepherd more than 3,000 members. That would require 15 average size (approximately 200 people) PCA churches. We currently have 4.

Sycamore will continue to pursue foreign mission efforts for the advance of the Kingdom. Beginning a daughter church will not hinder those efforts. The former director for Mission to the World said, “It has been our experience, financially speaking, for every $1.00 contributed to (local) church planting at least $2.00 has come back to world missions.”[7] In planting a church we recognize that the gospel is for the United States as much as it is for Ukraine or Uganda; it is for Chesterfield as much as the Caribbean Christian Centre for the Deaf. And perhaps most important it is for our very own hearts lest we become proud and complacent. The Lord Jesus Christ has given us a charge to make disciples. We must answer the call.

Matthew 9:36

“But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.”

The mission isn’t just for the daughter church—it is for the mother as well. Sycamore sits in a prime location amidst a growing community with houses being built all around us. We should look and see that the fields are ripe for the harvest. We shouldn’t make the mistake of thinking that because our building is here they will come. The church isn’t a building! It is the people of God living in community together and addressing the needs of a hurting world with the gospel of Jesus Christ. We can’t wait and watch them come. We have been commanded to go beginning in our own community.

All for Jesus,

Andrew Conrad