Why Do Newly Planted Churches Grow Faster Than Older Churches?
EVANGELISM IS THE MAIN ACTIVITY
Older churches usually have a variety of activities. Many of them are good. The problem is that evangelism sometimes becomes a low priority. When planting a church, evangelism is the main thing that's done. Consequently, people come to Christ and the church grows.
NEW TERRITORY
Church plants often are in new areas of development. Less Christian activity has probably taken place there.
MORE NOTICEABLE
A new church is usually more noticeable than an older church. We usually notice new stores. But how many people notice the old one? Thousands pass by daily without paying much attention. It's the same thing with older churches. New churches attract more attention.
NEW BELIEVERS FIT IN BETTER
In many older churches, the members have been there for years. They know exactly what will happen in every Sunday service. They know the songs. They know when to stand, when to sit, when to shake hands, who is always late, who sings off key, who doesn't sing, who shouts, who cries. They know it all. But what about the new believers? They hardly know anything. It's all foreign to them. As a result, many visitors don't return?
A key to rapid church growth is to disciple new believers in a context in which they are comfortable, rather than bringing them into a context where we are comfortable. It could be that we are comfortable in our local church, but new believers might not be. The biggest reason why new churches grow faster than old churches is that new believers fit in better in new churches.
NEW BELIEVERS IN NEW CHURCHES HAVE MANY CONTACTS
Most people come to Christ and into the church through a close friend or relative. After we have been in the church for a few years, most of our close friends are already Christians. This is not the case yet with new Christians. Their close friends are not yet Christians. Each new believer is an open doorway to many unbelievers. New Christians have far more contacts with non-Christians than those who have been in the church for a few years.
A new church is made up almost completely of new believers like this! Most have plenty of prime contacts. Through faithful follow-up the church can grow rapidly.
IT'S EASIER TO GIVE BIRTH THAN TO RAISE THE DEAD
It's been said that it's easier to give birth than to raise the dead. This is true of people and of churches. When an older church that's hardly growing plants a daughter church a fresh excitement can develop and a sense of purpose can create momentum.
Adapted from an overseas missions manual (www.missionarytraining.org)
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