I ran across a new U.S. church planting study earlier this week by Leadership Network. The findings were startling.
When I first began to pursue church planting, I was warned by others that 80-90% of all new churches fail.
Leadership Network, however, found that 4,000 new churches are planted every year (compared to 1,500 in the 1900s). 68% of them are still around (and many thriving) after four years of existence. That’s a quite different state of reality than that envisioned by the statistics first relayed to me.
Most affirming was the article’s observation that church planting is no longer a “consolation prize” for church leaders. It’s not something a minister does after he fails at other ministry positions. Rather, many of the best and brightest are transitioning from established church ministry to the task of starting new churches—which is good because I’m going to need their help!
All of this is good news for the kingdom of God.
To see the full article, click HERE.
In the Storyline 
It’s about time for this blog. And by the way I think you already have more readers than me. 🙂 Your honesty is one of my favorite qualities about you and Jules as a couple – totally real and not puffed up like you have all the answers all the time. It’s like a breath of fresh air to me. Looking forward to following this journey.
Great post, bro. I was told the same horrible thing about the success rate of church plants. I’m glad the stats aren’t that bad!
So thankful for you and the work you and Julie are doing together.