Factors Influencing Church Planting

Statistics about North American Church Plants 68% of church plants survive 4+ years Average church plant does not exceed 100 in the first 4 years 25% become fast growing churches (200+ within the first 3 years). 70% of church plants are self-sustaining by year 5

Factors that Increase Success Related to the Pastor Realistic expectations of pastor of task and success increase survivability by 400+%. 250+% increase of survivability when Pastor participates in regular leadership development training. Survivability increases by 135% when pastor has a support network of colleagues who are church planters. Pastor’s focus is on penetrating the community and recruitment of leaders who initiate the actual pastoral relationship are more effective than pastors who focus on pastoral relationship with members.

Factors that Increase Success Related to the Process: Survivability increases by 178% with a stewardship plan. 75% use contemporary worship styles designed for their target audience 80% of fast growing churches put a minimum of 10% toward outreach and evangelism (outside of their own programs).

Factors that Increase Success Related to the Members: 88% of fast growing churches have church planting teams. 63% of fast growing churches begin with a core group of people. Members must be able to seek and promote the church to people different than themselves.

Major Factors in Church Plant Failure: Inability to recruit, mobilize and nurture workers and leaders. Inability to plan effectively. Ineffective gathering of new people. Ineffective evangelistic method (Door to door/Cold Calling decreases survivability by 59%). Predisposition to passive pastoring ( only to those who show up). Insufficient funding. Succession failure. Long term financing tends to be associated with lackluster performance.

New “Church Planting” Model Larger Core Group (27 minimum) “Launch Large” Strategy Aggressive Growth Metrics Short Term Funding Model (5 year max) No Building Purchase Stewardship model from start Succession planning as part of strategic plan Pastoral selection and training minimums Service connection with the community