Why Start a New Church?

Why is church planting so important?  Though we are finite, time-bound creatures, the Lord has given us His word to stretch our minds and hearts past our own experience and history.  The Bible compels us to try to see the world from an eternal and transcendent perspective--from God's own viewpoint.  And from that perspective, the ultimate purpose for everything is to bring glory to Him. 

Our answer then must be church planting is critically important because it honors God and spreads His fame among the nations.  Church planting reflects the light of His beautiful, perfect character through every dark corner of the planet.  It brings praise to the One who came to seek and to save those who are lost.

. . . so that the Gentiles may glorify God for his mercy (Rom. 15:9; "Gentiles" can be translated "the nations").

Through him and for his name's sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith (Rom. 1:5, emphasis added).

Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples. (Ps. 96:3).

John Piper put it this way:  "The aim of missions [we might add, and of church planting] is to bring about the obedience of faith among all the unreached peoples of the world.  But that is not the ultimate goal.  The ultimate goal--even of faith and obedience--is 'for the sake of his name.'"¹

Check out DCPI's training for everyone starting a new church or new church movement:  Church Planting Essentials Training!

A must read for every church planting leader:  The New Dynamic Church Planting Handbook