One of the most exciting events that happen in any church is the announcement of an upcoming birth. (This happens a LOT at Blessed Hope Baptist Church! We have been in the midst of a 12-year baby boom – maybe something in the water???)
A note will often make its way onto my pulpit written in excited scrawl, letting our church family know that one of our young married ladies is expecting.
After the service, she will become the hub of a ladies’ huddle as the women in our church seek out all the details.
“How far along are you?”
“Do you know yet if it’s a boy or a girl?”
“How are the other children taking the news?”
“When is your due date?”
Smiles and laughter mingle with mommy stories, and soon someone brings up the thought of a baby shower — then off they go planning a celebration event. It seems like nothing brings excitement into a church family like the upcoming birth of a baby.
In very much the same way, starting a new church injects a buzz of excitement into a congregation that is like no other. Want to bring excitement to your family? Have a baby! Want to bring excitement to a church? Birth a new church!
I believe in a mother church planting a new church. A new church needs the nurturing care, spiritual support, and parental accountability of an established church. (Besides, as my preacher father was fond of saying, anything with more than one head is a monster!) But just because there is only one mother does not mean there cannot be many sisters to help in the process.
The church I pastor is getting ready to plant a church near Jasper, Indiana, in the Spring of 2022. This will be the third church our church will have birthed. But we have been thrilled to be a part – a sister church – to scores of other church plants through the years.
What’s the difference between being a mother church and a sister church?
The mother church assumes primary responsibility and temporary accountability over the new church plant. New churches are started as a ministry of an already established church. In time, when the new church proves itself to be numerically, spiritually, doctrinally, and financially able to stand on its own two feet, then the mother church charters the new church making it an autonomous, independent assembly.
It’s wonderful to bring a baby into the world, but it is more wonderful when the baby grows up and can fend for itself!
Sister churches come alongside and help with the birthing of the new church. They help through financial support, intercessory prayer, and – when possible – by sending laborers into this new harvest field to knock doors, pass out flyers, dig out prospects, and win souls as God allows. Sister churches may also provide skilled labor to assist in remodeling projects or put up a new building.
Many of you have been a sister church when it comes to church planting. Can I challenge you to pray about something? Could it be time for you to become a mother? Isn’t it time for your church to plant a new church? What are you missing out on by just being a sister? What are the benefits of becoming a mother church to a new church plant?
1. A whole different level of excitement!
Any mother will tell you that nothing compares to being allowed to bring a brand-new life into the world.
Is it exciting being a sister?
Sure. Now times that by a million, and you may be close to what a mother feels!
Your church will be blessed with a level of excitement that they have never experienced. This excitement is fueled by the humble realization that God is going to use them to gift a new church to another community in need of the Gospel.
2. A whole different level of sacrifice!
Any new mother will tell you that having a baby changed the priorities of her life. A new family will make financial sacrifices to bring a child into the world – and count it a blessing to do so. The mother church is no different. A sister church may send a modest monthly monetary gift to support the new pastor and his family, but a mother church will have to learn true sacrifice. This is a good thing! God will grow a church’s faith as they step out and sacrificially give to see a new work started.
3. A whole different level of blessings!
The sacrifices made to bring a new child into this world dim in comparison to the joys of motherhood! Moms have a front-row seat to
watching their children grow, strengthen and develop. Every “first” is exciting! And every wobbly step brings joy and thankfulness.
The same is true of church birthing. The mother church will be blessed in ways the sister churches will never experience.
One of the joys of my ministry is to guest preach in one of the pulpits of the churches we have birthed.
Occasionally, my wife and I will sneak into a midweek service and sit in the back just to watch that new young pastor feed his people.
What do I feel in those moments? I feel a parent’s pride, a father’s joy, a mother’s love, and quiet and humble thankfulness that the church I pastor was privileged to birth a miracle. And there is one more thing I feel as I leave those next-of-kin churches.
I feel a burning desire to do it again.