The Best Way to Start a New Congregation

As the new Director of Church Planting for the Northern Province, it is my distinct privilege to facilitate the starting of 20 new congregations by 2020 (the 2020 Vision program of the Northern Province). I am really excited and humbled by this honor and opportunity.

Some say this is too ambitious and it can’t be done. I fully acknowledge that it is a huge challenge on many levels. And so I invite your prayers and support for the endeavor as we engage in the joyful enterprise together. This is God’s work, and by God’s Grace, it can succeed even beyond our imagining.

What is the best way to start a new congregation? The answer is by having an existing congregation “birth” a daughter congregation separate and independent from itself.

Now I can hear the cries, “Yes, well, that’s fine for those ‘wealthy congregations’ that can afford such a thing, but most congregations can’t possibly do that.”

Well, here’s my reply: It really is a matter of faith and trust in God. Years ago, I was serving in a congregation in northern Vermont. It was a young and struggling congregation. In fact, they had “involuntarily terminated” (that’s a nice way of saying “fired”) my predecessor. They were in such financial desperation that they were reduced to a week-by-week existence. Each Sunday they would count the offering, look at all the unpaid bills, and decide if they could remain solvent one more week! This is about as low as a congregation can go and still exist.

One of the most faithful members moved to a nearby town and asked if this congregation would support her in starting a new one in her community (since none of our denomination was there). Now that was a lot to ask a congregation in such circumstances. But we prayed about it and we decided that helping her start another congregation was the right thing to do; that it would be in keeping with God’s Plan to further the Kingdom and increase the Reign of God. So in fear and trembling we agreed and did all we could to support the development of a new congregation in a community not far away.

That burst of new vision and its ensuing energy and enthusiasm gave birth to something else — a pride and confidence within the “mother” congregation. So much so that within a few years the “mother” congregation doubled the size of its building!!

It was almost a miracle. Within recent history, we could hardly pay our bills; and now we were doubling the size of the building with pledges equal to the task. My how God does wonders!

So comments like, “We’re too small or too poor to even consider starting a ‘daughter congregation’” will not fall on sympathetic ears with me. Perhaps — just perhaps the real issue is not finances but spiritual depth and commitment? Or not, judging is not part of the agenda for God’s people.

I would simply encourage all of our congregations to become a genuine part of the 2020 Vision in some significant and even sacrificial way. Not out of obligation! Do it out of the joy and privilege of embracing an opportunity to further the Reign of God and truly making a difference.

It could be a new congregation nearby, or one miles and miles away. That’s not the issue. The point is being a “mother congregation” giving birth to a “daughter congregation” separate and independent as an expression of our faith in God and our commitment to further God’s Reign.

Who knows? It may awaken an enthusiasm and confidence that has just been waiting for the chance all along? By the Grace of God, we can — sisters and brothers — we can! Let us be people of faith and embrace the privilege.

If you would like to explore this holy opportunity further with me, I would be delighted. Please email me at <fred@mcnp.org> or call me at 410.975.0721 and let’s talk.

The Rev. Dr. Fred Lehr serves as Director of Church Planting for the Moravian Church, Northern Province.