- Church planting & multiplication
I've been reflecting lately on the idea of legacy. We often think of legacy as passing down influence and resources to the next generation. But it's also about the qualities and values that define us. It's what we hope people will say about us at our memorial service or how they'd sum up our time on earth.
Now, there’s plenty of Scripture that many of us aspire to embody as our legacy. As followers of Christ, who wouldn’t want a legacy that reflects a sold-out love for God (Deut. 6:5), a focus on storing treasures in heavenly things (Matt. 6:20-21), and one that says, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Tim. 4:7)?
Some of us even hang plaques on our walls declaring our desire for our family to worship the Lord (Josh. 24:14-15), our commitment to living a godly life (1 Tim. 6:6), and our aim to let God’s light shine through us to others (Matt. 5:16).
As pastors, we have a mental picture of the legacy we want to leave in our ministry. As parents, we strive to give a legacy to our children of a strong spiritual and loving foundation for the path God calls them to.
But let’s take a moment to think about the legacy for the church you’re leading right now.
Whether your time at this church is measured in decades or just a few years, what do you see God doing? What legacy seeds could you plant or water during your leadership? What might future generations see when they look back at this season?
Take a moment. Maybe grab a pen and paper and jot down what God might be whispering to you. When it comes to your church’s legacy, the possibilities are endless. But let me suggest one idea for you to consider.
Here it is: Make church planting and multiplication part of your church’s legacy.
Here’s why. Nationally, churches that help start other churches have seen a 22% increase in attendance and a 48% increase in giving. It’s not just about the new churches—church planting revitalizes existing ones!
A few years ago, CNC did a deep dive into our church planting efforts from 1990 to 2020. Combined attendance for all CNC churches jumped almost 30% during that time. Starting new churches and congregations fueled that growth. These numbers represent people—many who started a relationship with Christ and continue to grow in Him.
Let me paint you a picture: Three Limbs on the CNC Church Planting Tree
When we did the deep dive, we put together a graphic that follows three limbs on our church planting tree: Bethlehem Baptist Church, Wooddale Church, and Grace Fellowship. It zooms in on the years 1990 to 2021.
In many cases, a new church had multiple “parents” helping it start. In thirty years, three churches became 43 churches in 35 cities across four states. And the growth keeps going.
The legacies of Bethlehem, Wooddale, and Grace Fellowship speak to the deep and impactful influences on our combined movement and, more importantly, God’s Kingdom. A huge part of their legacy is the growth of God’s work in cities, neighborhoods, and lives through the multiplication of new churches.
Through new churches, God can grow the faith of your church to do even greater things. It’s a chance to connect your congregation more deeply to the wider church. It’s a tangible way to prioritize God’s Kingdom first. It’s an amazing legacy.
And here’s the good news—Converge North Central wants to help! Reach out to us with your questions. Let us connect you with some of the parents and pastors in our church family tree for you to hear their stories. Think about making church multiplication a part of your church’s legacy.
One last thing...If you go back to the family tree, you’ll notice that Grace Fellowship planted Hope Fellowship in 1997. Under the leadership of church planter Don Bishop and now lead pastor Josh Underbakke, the past 25 plus years have been a testimony to the faithfulness of God and the commitment and dedication of the church. Though the place where they would meet for worship has changed over the years, the mission has not. God continues to use them and bless them.
Check out a recent part of their story...
Blessings
Joel
