I was recently asked why USMB invests sizable resources into planting new churches rather than using those resources to support existing churches. This is not an either/or question, as it was suggested. USMB and our partner agencies invest significantly in resourcing existing churches. However, it is worth addressing the reason planting new churches is essential and critical to following Jesus’ command to go and make disciples.
Numerous studies show that new churches gain the majority of their people from unchurched populations, while churches over 10 years old primarily gain members through transfer from other congregations. Planting new churches is shown to be more effective at reaching the lost than crusades, outreach programs, parachurch ministries or even church renewal.
What is different about church plants that makes them so effective? One key difference is this: For many existing churches, if no new visitors attended in the coming months and not a single person came to faith, the church would still be able to continue. Sadly, many churches continue for years in this state. Hopefully, leadership would be concerned enough to make changes, but in all likelihood, the staff would still have their jobs, bills would be paid and business might continue as usual.
For church plants however, if no visitors came, if leaders weren’t pounding the pavement to find neighbors to share the gospel with and to invite to services, their existence would immediately be in jeopardy. A natural outcome is that church planters tend to have a laser focus on reaching their community.
But the difference goes deeper. A new church doesn’t have a building to maintain or existing programs to manage internally. There are not yet sacred cows to navigate or long-unsettled conflicts brewing under the surface as there can be at existing churches. Church plants initially have virtually nothing to lose. Existing churches often have plenty to be concerned with losing, and this can change the focus and take away energy otherwise directed toward outreach.
Additionally, almost everyone has to serve in order for a new church to function, which creates a different mindset among their members. As a result, church plants are incredibly outward focused. Because new churches are often filled with new believers, there is an energy and excitement for the gospel that is hard to replicate elsewhere. New believers tend to be bolder in sharing their faith.
Does any of this diminish the value of existing churches? Certainly not. But an effective strategy to continually plant new churches is paramount to our ability to faithfully make disciples as Jesus calls us to.
Church plants serve another critical role for existing churches. Participating directly in planting new churches is an incredibly effective means to bring renewal.
I believe we have the capacity to plant five to 10 new churches each year. But this requires all of our churches and individuals like you to participate. What would USMB look like in 10 years with 50 to 100 new churches? Let’s work together to find out.
Aaron Box began serving as the USMB national director in July 2024. Previously, Box served for 13 years as senior pastor of North Park Community Church in Eugene, Oregon. He has more than 20 years of ministry leadership experience. Box served on the USMB Leadership Board from 2014-2022 and has extensive volunteer experience leading in his local community. Box and his wife, Jennifer, have two children and reside in Eugene.
