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There is no doubt that church planting is an activity that everyone agrees with - in theory. Ask almost any Elder or Church Leader whether church planting is important and the answer will almost certainly be, 'Yes!' But ask, 'Are you involved in church planting?' and the answer will most probably be, 'No'.

In a way, that is to be expected. Of all the reasons that church planting is not high on the agenda of most churches, perhaps the most obvious is lack of resources. Church Leaders are likely to comment:

§ 'We are struggling to survive ourselves so don't have the people available.'
§ 'We would like to but we have very few young people who could do it.'
§ 'We are too small to divide the church into two now.'

The outlook these responses spring from is both understandable and may even be a responsible position to take. However, if we are not careful it may lead to unforeseen and unhelpful consequences. The local church can become inward looking and insular. 'We don't have the people so that's one thing we don't have to worry about'. A passion for multiplication and growth is soon cooled. Maintenance and the status quo are the issue. 'How can we carry on?, rather than, 'Is there any way in our situation we can initiate a new work on the huge new housing estate on the edge of town?' The Apostle Paul's plea in Romans 10: 14, 'How can they believe in the one of whom they have never heard?' becomes a challenge only to the strong, large and youthful church.

However, the need remains and one of the areas in which CPI is seeking to help is by asking the question, 'Is there any way in which we can facilitate several churches working together to see a new work established?' Several fellowships could come together and pray, plan, work and give and together see a church planted. It may well be that weaker churches would not be in a position to plant a new work by themselves yet could look upon such a project as part of their prayer life and perhaps missionary giving which, combined with others, would be all that is needed for the Lord to use to initiate a new church. If leaders from several such churches got together with this in mind, CPI would gladly come along side to prayerfully look at the possibilities of identifying and providing a person or couple called by God into Church planting ministry.

With this vision in mind, we recently initiated two Church leaders seminars; one in Scotland at the GLO Centre, Motherwell in partnership with GLO and the other in the South Midlands area in Northway Evangelical Church, Oxford working together with Partnership. In both locations there were talks and discussions on growth and church planting that sought to encourage outward vision. As a result we are now following up several groups who are looking seriously at the possibility of planting a new church in the near future.

The day consisted of presentations led by Roger Chilvers of CPI seeking to address the challenges facing us today and the needs and opportunities for church planting, followed by further presentations on 'The Necessity for Leadership'. This session particularly looked at what leadership is needed for growth, followed by discussion and application. In Scotland, delegates were also able to hear about the remarkable growth of the Chinese Church in the North East of England as Eddie Tang, one of their leaders was interviewed by John Speirs of GLO. Andy Gibson gave a very helpful insight on the subject of 'Starting from Scratch' at the seminar in Oxford, sharing the strategy, planning and progress of the new Church that has been started in Hereford.

If the feedback and response forms are anything to go by these won't be the last of such seminars. 'Excellent event highly motivational...; 'Need more of this'; Very helpful for leadership' were a few of the written comments. Many asked for further sessions and several groups want to talk further about the possibilities of church planting.

All this is very encouraging and we are anxious for CPI to have further such seminars in other parts of the country. In particular, we want to provide encouragement and help to churches looking at the possibilities of church planting including how CPI may help support such a move.

Please contact CPI office for further information about either organising a day seminar or for help in church planting possibilities.

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