Why would a denomination, network, region, conference or group of churches be concerned with church planting? There are at least two answers I can think of: They are driven by a missional focus or they are consumed with survival. A missional mindset mandates that a life that has been transformed by the gospel must share that life-changing message with others. A survival mindset looks at the statistics, the death and dying of churches and concludes that unless we plant new churches, the whole denominational system will collapse in on itself. Missional is focused on the individual. Survival is focused on the institution.
A common refrain often spoken is that the church is not a building; it is the people. If a church is the people, and a denomination is a collection of those churches, then the question of why a denomination, network, region, conference or church should plant new churches is simple. It is for people. Answers matter. And while I believe many of us would say that we are missional in our mindset, is our desire to plant new churches really motivated by survival?
Advent Christians, like other denominations desire to turn decline into growth
It is no secret that the Advent Christian Denomination has been in a state of decline for some time. The decline of our denomination is not something unique to us, however. Many mainline and evangelical denominations are declining – some at a very rapid rate. In fact, Kate Shellnutt wrote, “Prior to 2000, half of all Americans belonged to a specific Protestant denomination. Now, just 30 percent do, Gallup reported.” 1
Sociologists, theologians, statisticians and church leaders have all speculated as to why denominations are on the decline. Some point to the rise of the “nones” who are rejecting the local denominational church, which subsequently leads to a broader denominational decline. Some posit that in our current culture, there is an overall rejection of religious hierarchal organizations. Others point to a lack of relevance of denominations in the everyday life of people.
Whatever the reason, denominations are looking to turn the tide from decline to growth. The Advent Christian denomination is no different. But what is driving that desire to move from death to life?
Our denomination needs to examine motivations and ensure that people are at the center
One of my favorite TV shows is the American adaptation of The Office. In one episode, Ryan, a young employee of a paper company invites his boss (Michael) to give a lecture to his master’s program business class. Michael quickly discovers that Ryan has stated to his class that the paper industry will soon be non-existent. Following a dramatic exit from the class, Ryan and Michael are traveling back to work, Ryan believing that he will be fired for his comments about the company and his prognostication about its future. After some back and forth conversation between the two, Ryan sheepishly asks Michael, “You’re not firing me?” Michael replied, “A good manager doesn’t fire people. He hires people and inspires people. … People, Ryan. And people will never go out of business.”
For Ryan, the lack of relevancy for paper would ultimately lead to its non-existence. For Michael, if the focus remained on people, there would always be business to be had. We as a denomination, conference or region would be well-served to take some time to consider our motivations, to make sure they are true, right and holy. We need to be for people – not just people who might become Advent Christians through our church planting, but for all people.
There are big differences between a survival and a missional mindset
As a denomination region, or conference, if survival is our motivation to plant new churches, we are missing the entire concept of why a church should be planted in the first place. As David Bosch asserts in his book, “Transforming Mission: Paradigm Shifts in Theology of Mission,” this mission to people began long ago with God’s sending Jesus Christ – the missio dei. While networks and denominations are important, they should never function as an end unto themselves, particularly if that end is rooted in survival. When a missional mindset is compared with a survival mindset, stark differences emerge.
Consider the very different mindsets related to survival verses missional. A survival mindset says that we must plant new churches:
- to maintain the status quo. A missional mindset says that we must plant new churches because people are lost and need Jesus.
- to replace the churches we have lost. A missional mindset says that we must plant new churches where there is a high concentration of lost people.
- to pass on our denominational heritage to the next generation. A missional mindset says that we must plant new churches in hopes of reaching the next generation.
- to generate more income for the denomination. A missional mindset says that we must plant new churches because it is an eternal investment.
- that look similar to us. A missional mindset says that we must plant new churches that look similar to their communities.
- because our theology is distinct and right. A missional mindset says that we must plant because our theology commands it.
- the way we planted old churches. A missional mindset says that church planting is not a one-size-fits-all approach.
There’s hope for denominations that are in the people business
I have hope for our strategic plan as a denomination. I have hope that we are targeting un-reached people groups. I have hope that a fresh perspective on church planting can usher in a new era in our network of churches. I have hope that if we will find where God is working and join him in that work, then God will not be done with the Advent Christian Church. I have hope that if denominations do not forget that they are in the people business, then we will have a future. Why? Because people never go out of business.
