Can our church have a baby?

Parenting or partnering churches often ‘seed’ a new church. Under the guidance of the church planter, in step with the Holy Spirit, the new church grows – ‘… often by 4 times more than was seeded, sometimes 10 times more, occasionally 100 times more (see Matthew 13:23).’

The role of the parenting or partnering church is to plant and water the new seed. This is done through:

• an intentional prayer focus;
• a willingness to give up to a tithe of people;
• networking possible contacts;
• taking some financial responsibility for the new church in the early stages (often special offerings or individual household pledges);
• provide support systems for the new church (occasional help in greeting, music, children’s ministry, nursery, etc.); and
• care for the planting pastor, if it happens naturally.

The large share of energy expended is done by the church planter and the people who become a part of the core group. The parenting or partnering church often receives energy because of the missional focus it provides for the church. The loss the parent church experiences is grief; but the joy the parent church experiences is satisfaction in the sacrifice.

The Midwest Conference and the denomination provide:

• additional financial help for the new church;
• assessment of the church planting couple (with input from the parenting or partnering church);
• training and project direction;
• support systems and coaching.

Our new churches are doing two to three times better than they were just 15 years ago. Covenant-wide, we are seeing very few churches fail, with most of them quickly achieving critical mass and stability. In the Covenant, most of our new churches have reached at least 100 in attendance within 12 months of the start of weekly worship.