The Pastor’s File

I was recently asked to take part in a panel discussion during the IFBAM Baptist Builders Conference at Faith Baptist Church in Warren , Michigan. In preparation for this panel discussion, the host pastor Dr. Marty Marriot presented me with three questions he would like the panel to address. I would like to take the next three posts and discuss these questions.

Question #1 - Why do we need more churches?

This question is extremely important, because its answer strikes at the heart of our motivation in church planting. In a nation such as the USA is there a legitimate need to start more churches? I would have to answer that there absolutely is a need to plant more churches, and that need is actually expanding with each passing year.

The reason we need more churches is actually quite simple. There are multitudes of communities across our nation without a Fundamental, Bible Preaching church. Though our modern technology and transportation have made our world seem smaller, there are many families without a doctrinally sound church within a reasonable distance of their homes.

Take for example Gospel Light Baptist Church. We planted the church in Ludington, the largest city in Mason County, Michigan. Our intent was to base from the larger city, and draw people from the smaller outlying communities. However we are actually drawing people from over 50 miles away! Why is this? Christians who are grounded in the faith are hungry for sound doctrinal preaching, and are willing to drive more than an hour to find such a church.

That may be fine for them, but the problem arises when they attempt to reach their local friends and neighbors with the gospel. The cost and inconvenience of attending a church so far from home is an obstacle that is too difficult for most to overcome. It is fine to invite your neighbors to special services down the street, but when the church is two counties away the invitation is rarely accepted.

The church is commanded to take the Gospel to the whole world (Matthew 28:19-20). Wherever the gospel is preached, believers are to be baptized and taught to observe the teachings of Christ. This commission must be done within the confines of a local church. A simple overview of the New Testament will reveal that if a community had a group of believers, the community had a church. We cannot expect Christians to be faithfully involved in the ministries of their local church if their church isn’t really local.

As long as there are communities without a faithful Bible preaching church, there will be a need for more churches to be planted. The current downgrade of doctrine, worship methods, and standards among our once fundamental churches is only multiplying the need for church planting. The truth of God’s Word is being forsaken at an alarming rate. It is time for our sound, fundamental churches to rise to the challenge and get involved in the cause of church planting!