With all the sweeping changes we see today, is this a good time to pursue church planting? What is the state of church planting in Iowa in light of recent events?

ALL SYSTEMS GO?

BCI Lead Church Planting Catalyst Chase Abner, says this is a great time to continue to move forward with church planting. “On one hand, church planting is ‘all systems go.’ We want to encourage every church to continue to take their next step in church planting.” There are few things more central to the mission and calling of the church than starting new churches to preach and teach the gospel in new communities. Churches should continue to place a high value on church planting, whether that’s through giving generously or developing and raising up specific leaders to be church planters.

QUARTERLY CHURCH PLANTING LUNCHEON

ABOUT THE BCI CHURCH PLANTING PARTNERSHIP

MOVING FORWARD WITH CAUTION

“At the same time,” Abner says, “we are moving forward cautiously.” Launching a new church is a daunting task even in ideal conditions. The COVID-19 health crisis adds many significant complications and leaves many unknowns. Best practices are still unknown for how to launch a new church effectively with limited access to rental spaces and demanding health safety requirements along with the challenges of discipling leaders and building a launch team while social distancing and meeting limitations are in effect.

Abner says they are taking the necessary time to reevaluate plans and ensure a healthy process. “We are taking a second look at the specific communities that have been identified as potential locations for new churches. Additionally, we are being very cautious about the kinds of expectations and requirements we are putting on church planters in these times. We want to place a priority on maintaining the health of the church planter and his family. With so many unknowns that affect starting new churches, we are proceeding with caution.”

IOWA CHURCH PLANTERS IN PROCESS

In Iowa, we currently have 13 church planters intending to either plant a church in Iowa or are being sent from Iowa to plant in other states. These church planters are all at some stage in the process of starting a new church, whether in the early stages of pre-assessment or actively planning their new church start. In spite of COVID-19 and in the face of constant changes, they are moving forward in the process. After all, if God has called them to plant a church then they can proceed with confidence.

SEND NETWORK SUPPORT & Training for church planters

In response to challenges brought on by COVID-19, the North American Board is sending additional financial support to every church planter in the Send Network Care program. All of our Iowa planters have been invited into that program. In some cases of emergency need, Send Network has provided even more support, especially in cases where bi-vocational pastors have lost their non-ministry jobs.

Both formal and informal equipping continues as church planting cohorts shift online. These activities can more easily be hosted virtually with very little cost. This has allowed the training and equipping aspect of church planting preparation to continue when many other events have been cancelled. Currently there are two Iowa church planters who are completing their formal church planting training cohort soon. Additionally, there are other informal cohorts of church planters, one for pastors who launched their church less than one year ago and another for pastors who started 2 or more years ago.

In spite of delays and changes as a result of COVID-19, this is not a time to put church planting to the side. Thank you to BCI churches for being faithful to give, pray, and champion church planting in Iowa. If you want to discuss your church’s next step in participating in church planting, email Chase Abner.