I grew up in a new church. We held worship services and Sunday School in an elementary school. I remember the excitement that the fledgling congregation felt when the model of our new building was put on display and how everyone rejoiced when a piece of land the church owned was rezoned and sold at a huge profit. Most importantly, in that new church, Skokie Valley Baptist Church, I was taught about Jesus Christ and there, at the age of nine, invited t him to come into my life. But more than my own appreciation for what a new church meant in my life, I believe there are other reasons why planting new churches is good and necessary in our time.
New churches focus on evangelism and mission.
They are the most effective congregations in reaching new people and new generations. Existing churches often reach a certain size and then grow comfortable at that size and focus more on ministering to the current members than on reaching new people. American Baptists in Massachusetts have been successful in reaching new immigrants through new church plants. Most of the new churches we have helped plant are composed of people who have recently come to the United States. This is a wonderful ministry that is changing the nature of our life together and giving us the opportunity to witness to our unity in Jesus Christ.