In Scotland today, many people have very limited access to the good news of Jesus. If large parts of the country lacked clean, running water, we would expect determined action to provide it. In the same way, when we plant a church, we are digging a gospel well. We are giving thirsty people access to Jesus – the water of life.
The Free Church of Scotland plants churches because our vision, reflecting Jesus’ Great Commission, is to see a Healthy Gospel Church for every community in Scotland. As well as the concerns of our existing churches with their particular needs, we share a God-given desire to see spiritual awakening in and across Scotland. This is the same reason we invest in revitalising and rural ministries, and support existing congregations and resource churches. We want people in all kinds of places to have access to Jesus who is the light of the world.
Behind the Healthy Gospel Church vision is the need to think of ourselves – whether in our local congregations or as a denominational body – as living with a missionary mindset. Why does the Church plant churches? Because in responding to Christ’s call to go and make disciples, the Free Church continues to be mobilised for mission. Planting churches is one outcome of that call.
Here are four observations to help us think about our church plants:
• Firstly, while church planting must be approached sensibly according to resources and opportunity, it’s also a natural part of the work of the church. Every congregation represented in the Free Church today was once planted. The New Testament is full of missionary work, often culminating in a church being formed. So, planting churches is no fad.
• Secondly, missionary focus means plants are both different from and similar to existing churches. They must focus on mission and evangelism because if they don’t, they are unlikely to survive. At the same time they are similar, as surely this is true of all churches. Which church can say, ‘we are not really trying to make disciples?’
• So, thirdly, church plants are the result of local mission and discipleship which may happen in any place. A presbytery may have strategic input into where to start a new work, but any congregation finding its missionary endeavours bearing fruit must consider how to accommodate new followers. Of course, churches can also just grow bigger, but planting is at least on the table where church extension is concerned.
• Fourthly, church plants are Free Church of Scotland congregations in development, and not as a separate category or species. They are baby churches which require particular investment in their early days (like any child), but which will, we pray, grow to flourish in and contribute to the wider family in time. Over time, as these congregations grow up, the whole denomination sees the benefit as we share in this kingdom growth.
Not everyone is involved in a church plant, but we’re all a part of the same church, with the same mission calling of Jesus to go and make disciples. Please pray that God would re-awaken Scotland to the good news of Jesus. Pray that we’d see how and where he may use us in our own local setting. And please pray for new churches – that in time God would grow them with local converts – and all to His glory!
By Rev Tom Muir, Church Planting Director for the Free Church of Scotland