the state of church planting

The Leadership Network has released a new study on church planting. Managing Director Dave Travis commented, "In commissioning this study, our goal was to review the current state of U.S. church planting efforts - and begin to assess what today's reality means for the next generation of planters."

Church planters, listen up:

Interest is growing. From Google search results to the number of book printed on the topic, the interest in church planting is on the rise. "Equally important," according to a Monday Morning Insight article, "[is that] church planting has now become a preferred ministry option, not a consolation prize."

Local churches and church planting networks are leading the way. Church planting used to be the business of denominations, but today local congregations are so excited about the idea that they're doing it themselves.

Affinity strategies dominate. New church plants used to go up according to geographic area - churches trying to set down root in an "unchurched" area. Now, church plants are filling a niche. Travis explains, "For example, they may exclusively plant house churches or ethnic churches - or perhaps build purpose-driven, seeker, or missional churches."

It's working. Observers have estimated that in the past, 80 to 90% for church plants fail within a year. Researchers discovered, however, that today, 68% of the 4000 churches planted each year are still around four years later.

What does this mean for you? Giving part of your congregation and resources to a church plant is very possible, there are a lot of resources to help get you started, you can do it even if you're not part of a denomination, and your best bet is to find a specific culture within your community to serve and build for them.