#1 – Why Do We Need New Churches in Florida?
In the July 11, 2005 issue of USA Today a large portion of Florida (including the Tampa, Orlando, West Palm Beach, Ft. Lauderdale, and Miami metropolitan areas) was cited as a “megapolitan super city”. This stretch of Florida’s peninsula is projected as one of the top 10 regions for tremendous growth in the United States.
Florida will soon become the 3rd most populated state with more residents than all other states except California and Texas. Between 500 and 700 new residents move to Florida every day. We could strategically plant a new church in Florida every week!
In Matthew 28:18-20 Jesus gives the assignment to us. We are called to “go and make disciples…baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”. New churches are all about reaching people who are far from God and making disciples.
In Mark 2:17 Jesus said to his disciples, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Existing churches sometimes struggle to reach unconvinced people. New churches can more effectively reach out to those who haven’t yet sensed their need for a doctor named Jesus. So because people matter to God and lots of people are moving to Florida, Florida desperately needs new churches and lots of them.
#2 – Does the Bible Give Any Guidance on How to Plant New Churches?
Absolutely! The book of Acts is the most significant book ever written on the subject. Most of the epistles in the New Testament were written to new churches and for new churches. These Holy Spirit inspired letters are about real life church plants and the adventures they were experiencing—their victories and struggles.
At FCP we try to learn from the successes and failures described in the New Testament as we apply the Apostle Paul’s counsel to today’s new church planting efforts. Whenever possible we want to avoid the pitfalls and benefit from those who have gone before us.
#3 – What Do FCP Church Plants Look Like?
It depends. We rely heavily on demographic information as the strategy for a specific plant is formed. New churches look different depending on the people they are trying to reach with the message of God’s love. We believe an effective new church is the result of linking together the right location, right lead planter, right staff, right strategy, and right venue, all at the right time.
One of the best things about a new church is not being bound by “how we’ve always done it”. This freedom of vision affords our lead planters the opportunity to choose prayerfully and wisely what “traditions” will become part of the new church’s life and ministry.
All of our plants share some common convictions. They are passionate about connecting people to Christ through large group celebrations/times of worship and small group relationship-building gatherings. Acts 20:20 sets the model for this combination approach and how God uses the Church to prompt devotion to Him and life change. They are dedicated to prayer. They are sold out on outreach. They are committed to new church planting beyond their own fellowship. Reproduction is a core value.
So far FCP plants can all be described as one of five types. In the future we are open to additional models but these are the styles of plants currently beginning.
Parachute drops start with no core group other than the staff and their families. They drop into an area armed with a vision and a strategy and they reach their community from scratch.
Ethnic plants are parachute drops focused on reaching a particular ethnic group that makes up a large portion of the population in a designated target area. The staff of ethnic plants must be chosen wisely so they are able to effectively communicate and connect with the people groups they are seeking to reach.
Mother/Daughter plants are new churches resulting from the birth of a baby from a strong, vibrant mother church. A core group is formed in response to the vision and they become the nucleus for the new church.
Multi-Site plants are created when a thriving church senses God’s leading to open a new location. A multi-site plant is still connected to the mother church but now has the opportunity to reach new people because the church is coming to them and their neighborhoods.
Death, Burial, and Resurrection plants involve an existing church that has been in decline for years and senses God leading in a new direction. One church dies so that a new church can be born. In some cases, there are sufficient resources for two new churches to begin.
These 5 styles and hybrids of them describe all of our current FCP new church plants.
#4 – How Are Lead Planters Chosen?
Every lead planter and most staff members for our new churches participate in an assessment center. High marks at assessment are required for consideration as an FCP lead planter. Interviews, assessment (including psychological testing and proficiencies evaluation), and lots of prayer help us discern who God is calling to lead a particular project.
#5 – How Are New Churches Organized?
For the first 3-4 years an external management team comes alongside the lead planter and provides accountability, encouragement, and insulation. Some time before the new church’s 4th birthday there is a transition to an internal eldership which includes the lead planter and carefully selected leaders he has mentored during the early stages of the church. By the time the church is self-supporting financially she is also self-supporting from a leadership standpoint.
#6 – Can I Give Directly to FCP?
Yes! Florida Church Planters is supported by churches and individuals who care deeply about reaching people who are far from God. We are all about “planting churches….changing lives.” If that matches your heart beat there’s no better investment. The stakes don’t get any higher than people, souls, and eternity.
You can give online at this website by choosing the online feature on the menu. You can choose to give by sending checks to our office. You may also want to consider including FCP in your estate planning so you can leave an eternal legacy through new church planting. If you would like to find out more about how to partner with us financially please contact Dan Donaldson for more details.
#7 – What is the Vision for FCP in the Future?
We are prayerfully dreaming of a day when 1% of Florida’s population actively participates in a Christian Church in their community. That vision will require the growth of existing churches and the birth of dozens of new church plants over the next 2 decades. If this vision is to become reality it will be financed by Christian Churches in Florida investing at least 1% of their total income into new churches every year. It will also require the generosity of some key individual partners.
The assignment seems overwhelming but we serve a God who specializes in extraordinary surprises. He is with us as we seek His face in pursuing this task.
#8 – How are Current FCP Plants Doing?
God has graciously watched over us and FCP has a 100% survival rate. But church planting isn’t about survival. It’s about storming the gates of Hell. Our new churches currently range in weekend average attendance from 100 to over 1,000 as they reach out and change lives in Tallahassee, Jacksonville, Oviedo, Lake Mary, Cape Coral, Palm Coast, Tampa, Melbourne, and Miami.
#9 – Where are You Planning to Start Churches in the Near Future?
Definite plans include starting new churches in Sarasota-Bradenton, Miami, Orlando, Gainesville, Naples, and West Palm Beach. In all of these cases specific steps toward the beginning of new churches have been taken.
While no concrete decisions have been made, we are currently envisioning additional new churches in Daytona, Ft. Myers, North Port, and Tampa.