Journey's Vision - #5 Launching Churches
Journey Church was birthed out of the generosity of other churches that had a passion for church planting. Because this passion is also a part of our DNA, after growing to the place of sustainability, we dream of actively launching churches. In fact, our vision calls for launching our first church as soon as we are regularly running 300 in attendance.
So, why am I so passionate about church planting/launching? Ed Stetzer tells us, “Although the number of churches has increased by just over 50 percent during the past century, the U.S. population has increased by 300 percent! Today, an increasing population has fewer churches than in 1906. This decline in church-to-population ratio may help to explain the decline of the North American church during the past century” (p. 7).
While there is absolutely NOTHING inherently wrong with mega-churches, we believe that God has called Journey Church to grow God's Kingdom through the multiplication of birthing congregations. New churches tend to be more daring and willing to take risks, whereas established churches (not always) tend to become more inward focused. We dare to imagine that Journey Church can be a part of creating a network of northwestern Ohio churches that are collectively seeing a new generation drawn to the grace of Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 13:13).
So, why am I so passionate about church planting/launching? Ed Stetzer tells us, “Although the number of churches has increased by just over 50 percent during the past century, the U.S. population has increased by 300 percent! Today, an increasing population has fewer churches than in 1906. This decline in church-to-population ratio may help to explain the decline of the North American church during the past century” (p. 7).
While there is absolutely NOTHING inherently wrong with mega-churches, we believe that God has called Journey Church to grow God's Kingdom through the multiplication of birthing congregations. New churches tend to be more daring and willing to take risks, whereas established churches (not always) tend to become more inward focused. We dare to imagine that Journey Church can be a part of creating a network of northwestern Ohio churches that are collectively seeing a new generation drawn to the grace of Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 13:13).
Comments