Opportunities for Church Plants As Well As Established Churches

We certainly live in interesting times. Just months ago who would have thought that world events would bring such uncertainty to our nation! The ancient Chinese concept of yin and yang comes to mind; times of risk and opportunity.

The Church in Australia is in such a time where both risk and opportunity present. For new churches being planted, it’s essential that they plant with the opportunities in mind and having regard to the influences we are likely to encounter. This is important because not only has the word in which we live changed, but it will certainly change further.

Following are six issues that leaders of church plants as well as established churches must grapple with.

1. Restrictions On the Ability to Travel Far
2. The Near Certainty of Cost of Living Increases
3. The Prospect of Food Shortages
4. Increased Feelings of Isolation
5. Rising Anxiety Levels
6. The Search For Spiritual Answers

1. Restrictions On the Ability to Travel Far

Rising fuel costs, the possibility of rationing and the possibility of fuel scarcity may well influence the degree to which people are prepared to travel distances to church. That 30 minute drive to get to church, and 30 minutes back again may be just too costly for some who will settle instead for the church nearby.

For others their home or small group may well become their major expression of church with Sunday appearances becoming less frequent.

Some established churches may need to expect to see changes in where their congregations meet with less on the weekend and possibly a greater emphasis on to small groups. Some churches that define their community by weekend attendance may need to change how they define their community.

Local neighbourhood churches may well expect to see their numbers increase as a result of people living nearby who decide to find a local church.

A consideration for new church plants is to be planted where the people are whether this be weekend gatherings or home or small groups. In many areas population has shifted over time with new suburbs and even towns springing up where there are few or no churches. These are fertile areas for new churches to be planted in.

Over the next five weeks we will explore the remaining issues with some thoughts about possible implications and how churches and church plants can position themselves to engage well in changing times. This is so important because the traditions and practices that have carried us so far won’t necessarily be what is required to carry us into the future.

To do this we need what Tod Bolsinger in his book “Canoeing the Mountains: Christian Leadership In Unchartered Territory” describes as an “adaptive leadership” style. In his book he describes how “technical leadership” helps us navigate through known territory, but adaptive leadership needs to be developed to navigate unchartered territory.

In many ways, the Church in our Nation is set to navigate unchartered territory.