7 reasons to plant new churches

From time to time, I get some fun questions to answer about the history of CVC. Here's one I received today followed by my answer. 

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When I tell people that I attend CVC sometimes they ask me questions about the church, I tell them what the Mission of the church is and about the wonderful programs that I have gotten involved with since joining the church. And I tell them how wonderful the people are. I have been asked the same question a few times. "Why did the pastor choose Broadview Heights, Ohio to start the church?" "How did the pastor know about this area since he is not from here?" Rick, how should I answer this question?

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Thanks for asking!

Back in 1986, I was appointed as a missionary church planter with the North American Mission Board (NAMB).

I felt called by God to start a church outside what was then called "the Bible belt" in the south. I wanted to go to an area where there was a great need for the kind of God-glorifying, Christ-centered, Spirit-led, mission-minded, Bible-based, people-loving church we felt led to start...

1. a church for people who had given up on church, 

2. a church for people who felt that most churches were not relevant to everyday life, 

3. a church that was known for what we are "for" rather than what we are "against," 

4. a church that talked with you instead of preached at you, 

5. a church where the Bible could be explained and applied in clear, practical ways, 

6. a church that would be used by God to start many other kinds of churches in the area, 

7. a church that would have global impact. 

In the summer of 1986, studies were conducted by the North American Mission Board that showed that the Brecksville/Broadview Heights Community was an ideal location to begin another church because approximately 100,000 people lived (and live!) within a five mile radius of CVC’s present location. There are a number of churches in this area, but we calculated that if each church filled their sanctuaries to capacity two times each Sunday (which was not happening!), only 20,000 people would be accommodated in those buildings. That meant that there were approximately 80,000 unchurched people within a 5 miles radius of our location.

Some churches seemingly plan and program to reach the people who are already churched and already followers of Christ. These churches might grow. But they experience what is called “transfer growth” - shuffling the already convinced from one ministry to another. We felt that God had given us the task of targeting those in the unchurched and who were not yet following Christ.

With that in mind, we tried to get inside the mind of the unchurched people in our community. Before launching CVC, I did an informal survey of unchurched people in our community. They gave these reasons why they don't attend church:

•     too much pressure to join

•     too much pressure to give

•     the services are too stiff and formal

•     long sermons

•     long services

When asked what would cause them to want to attend a church, they gave these reasons:

•     enthusiastic leadership

•     positive and uplifting sermons

•     being made to feel at home and comfortable

•     fresh, creative, innovative services

•     practical relevant sermons

     

So, we launched a church where we tried to always keep in mind why the unchurched don't come and why they might come. These factors have affected our mission, vision, values, strategies, programs, and planning over the years.

That's probably more than you wanted to know. (But I already had most of this info in a document!)

Thanks for asking. You took me down memory lane. It was a nice stroll! :)

God has done exceedingly more than we could ask or imagine. To God alone be the glory! Great things He has done!