Why Plant Churches Where Churches Exist Already?
The question, “Why church plant?” is valid. But perhaps even more pressing for local planting in the United States is, “Why church plant where churches exist already?”
The rationale for planting where no churches exists is straightforward: we want people there to believe in Christ and Christians should organize themselves into churches. If no church exists, one should be planted. So, planting internationally in the unengaged and unreached regions of the world intuitively makes sense.
The rationale behind planting where one or more churches already exists is more complex. Since the United States is relatively church saturated, we need to carefully examine the reasons why planting in the proximity of other churches is a faithful practice.
Here are four reasons to plant churches in cities and towns where other churches exist.
1. To make room for conviction and conscience
If a region or town has a few churches but lacks a church that faithfully expresses your convictions, that place is a good candidate for a church plant. The easiest examples would include an area that lacks a church whose order (ecclesiology) fits your convictions (like an area with Presbyterian, Methodist, and Episcopal churches but no Baptist churches). But this rationale could include distinctions within that broader category. In the Baptist world, there are real differences between Missionary Baptist, Free Will Baptist, Reformed Baptist, and Southern Baptist churches. Perhaps a Missionary Baptist planter would see a need where one or more Southern Baptist churches already exist.
Does this rationale make an unnecessary capitulation to divisions within the Body of Christ? No, I do not believe it does. Romans 14:23 says, “Whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.” I can sin against my conscience (and be guilty before God) if I do something I believe is wrong (whether it is actually wrong according to God’s law or not). My intent to disobey God is revealed in my willingness to ignore what I believe God has said. In the context of church, I can sin by participating in and thereby affirming the practices of a church which I believe are against Scripture (whether they are in reality or not). Denominational divisions down to the divisions between local churches are actually a gift to protect my conscience.[1]
A distinction should be made at this point between establishing churches based on particular convictions and distinctives and establishing churches based on affinity groups and preferences. The differences in convictions and distinctives are differences in beliefs surrounding interpretation of Scripture. Affinity groups (like a church for young people, a church for skaters, or bikers, or cowboys, etc.) and preference groups (those who like ‘90s contemporary Christian music, those who like traditional music, etc.) should not be the basis of a new church. However, if I believe baptism is properly practiced by immersion, then to be a member of a Methodist or Presbyterian church conflicts with my conviction on Scripture’s teachings. If I merely want to attend a church with a certain kind of music, I am not basing my choice on anything Scripture has to say. Therefore, I would argue choosing to plant a convictional church in an area where churches already exist is valid.
2. To fill gaps in growth
To put it simply, there is a need for churches where there is population growth.
But demographic change and population growth is complex. The United States is not growing evenly. County by county, town by town, growth rates differ. This is in part a factor of the transience of our society. Growth rates are generally determined by the rate of people moving into the area and not the birth rate. The population is shifting nationwide creating uneven growth patterns. As one locale explodes in growth another might be dying.
This growth in specific areas creates gaps in gospel witness. South Carolina has traditionally been identified as part of the “Bible Belt” where a church exists on every corner. Yet, rural areas that traditionally had fewer churches are seeing massive growth and development as people move in from the North and West. This leaves a gospel gap. There may be a relatively large number of churches in South Carolina, but are they evenly distributed where the growth is occurring?
Indian Land, SC, is a great example. A once rural part of Lancaster county has seen massive growth through migration into the greater Charlotte area. There never was a “church on every corner” in this part of the county. Churches have not been planted at a rate that has kept up with the growth (in fact, that is probably an impossible task given how quickly the area has grown). The number of churches per-capita is one indication that a gap exists.[2]
Uneven and rapid growth creates gaps in gospel witness. Church planting is a means to fill the gaps and to accommodate the different growth rates throughout the country.
3. To catalyze partnership and gospel work
“A rising tide lifts all boats.” Local churches are not in competition with each other. The strength of one church further strengthens the churches around it.
How does this happen? Here are three ways: First, the presence of a like-minded church in your region encourages your church that you are not alone. Second, a church healthier than yours in an area of ministry will strengthen your church in that area. As you interact with that church, you will gain insight and encouragement in ways to grow. Third, churches that equip the saints have a disproportionately positive impact on all the churches in a region. Saints equipped at one church do not only benefit their home church. Those saints are trained to be pastors at other churches in the region. The saints are equipped to disciple or counsel members at other churches. And, if and when those saints leave that church, they go to bless another church. In at least these three ways the rising tide lifts all boats.
Church planting further offers unique opportunities for church collaboration and partnership. Few ministry opportunities offer as much potential for close partnership between churches as planting. Members from other churches can combine to become a new church. Church budgets can combine to cooperatively fund a new work. Pastors can share their insights and gifts with the new church. There is even opportunity for churches that once hurt each other to reconcile and work together.[3]
It is not uncommon for church plants to grow quickly in comparison to older churches. Some have argued that trend is a motivation to plant: plant a new church, capture the quick growth, and move on. That is not what I am suggesting. Young churches do have the tendency to grow quickly, but also to decline just as quickly. Furthermore, church planting is a cost-heavy investment. Continuously planting new churches eats up a disproportionate number of resources for diminishing returns. Eventually, the flash of something new will fail to draw interest or attention. A church plant may catalyze partnership and gospel work, but it is not a “church growth strategy.”
4. To follow the Holy Spirit
This is the most important reason to plant any church. The first three reasons are matters of biblical wisdom that point to good potential. But the Spirit moves wherever he wills (John 3:8). We cannot determine where the Spirit might move. Instead, we seek to follow the Spirit’s leading.
How do we know where the Spirit is leading? We see evidence of God working where there is a desire, opportunity, and even gospel work happening apart from local churches (for example, individuals coming to faith without a church home). Perhaps it is best if the desire to plant a church comes apart from the man who intends to become the lead planter. If a member of the community (or better yet, several members) have a desire to see a church planted, that is evidence that God is working. God may also open up opportunities like unexpected funding sources or a church that is closing its doors and is willing to give its facilities to a new church. There is also the possibility that God has been working in the lives of multiple people within a community apart from a local church. Maybe there are new converts who are in no way associated with a church or the evangelistic ministry of a plant. Those new Christians need a church home. Perhaps a plant is what God intends for them to join.
Additionally, God may be moving to plant a church where we would never expect. Perhaps the Spirit will move in a dying rural area where there does not even seem to be enough people for a church. The Spirit may foster a desire, open an opportunity, and begin gospel work ahead of a planter in a small town that had lost hope that anything good would happen in their home.
Finally, we seek to “keep in step with the Spirit” by obedience (Galatians 5:25). The Holy Spirit leads us to be obedient to Jesus Christ who commands us to make disciples and, consequently, plant churches (Matthew 16:18, 28:18-20; Acts 1:8; also, Paul’s words in Ephesians 3:9-11 and his commands in 1 Timothy 3:14-15 and Titus 1:5). Planting churches, even where churches may already exist, is an act of obedience to Jesus Christ as the culmination of disciple-making and the Great Commission.[4] We make disciples who are then “put into order” (Titus 1:5) by joining into “the household of God, which is the church of the living God” (1 Timothy 3:15). As in everything we do, we seek to be obedient to our King who has all authority in heaven and on earth” (Matt. 28:18).
“…to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen” (Eph 3:21).
[1] More can and should be said on this point, but this is sufficient to show that some church divisions (like divisions between denominations, presbyteries, and local churches) are good and right.
[2] The changing demographics of a region or town are further complicated by the religious preferences and worldviews that are imported with migration. It is not merely a case of numbers. You could argue that churches are not needed in areas where the worldview of those moving in is more secular. I offer two responses to that reasoning: 1) churches exists to be a gospel witness in a community as a counter culture to whatever the prevailing worldview may exist (“how are they to preach unless they are sent?” (Rom 10:15); 2) reaching the lost is the point. We will consider evangelism and conversion in point #4 of this article.
[3] Consider reading about the churches involved in planting Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Caleb Morell, A Light on the Hill (Wheaton, IL; Crossway, 2025).
[4] Thanks to Blake Pierce, a church planting friend, who suggested this point.
