There have been many articles written on this topic from a theoretical point of view. What is the advantage of planting a church from scratch over and against the hive model (taking a group of pre-existing Christians and launching them as a ‘plant’)? I have experience of both models and here are some initial and tentative observations.
When I planted the Good News Church in Brazil it was an exciting, groundbreaking time. Miriam and I began the work on our own. People were saved and the team I built around me were young and dynamic, up for anything in terms of outreach and methodology. People were converted and joined in the vision to reach our neighbourhood for Jesus. They didn’t need to be convinced. They sensed the joy and excitement and we built great impetus. There was a buzz and an openness to believe that God would do impossible things. Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t all like that. There were tough times, divisions, misunderstandings, people falling away but there was ‘life’.
The difference in Niddrie is interesting to say the least. There is definitely a buzz about the place and I am building up a young, dynamic team who are up for anything and are open to trying new ideas. The new converts are excited about their faith and love the drive toward outreach, community living and the vision for planting into neighbouring areas. The issue comes with some established Christians who ‘need convincing’ that missional living is a good idea in the first place, wonder what all the fuss is about, get bitter about those in the ministry team as some sort of ‘clique’ in the church community and struggle to see church planting as a good idea.They bring with them a spiritual cultural baggage that is not there in new believers. They often come with their own traditions and ways of doing things and find some ministry here a bit of a shock to the system, whereas new believers find the chopping and changing of church life here ‘normal’ and non threatening. It is an interesting dynamic and one I have not fully appreciated before now.
That’s the battle when taking on a church for renewal. It has been a steep learning curve for all of us during our time here and I await what God has for our us in the future. Church planting is easily the ‘easier’ option than dealing with the ‘hive’ approach (for me at least). Still working it through. Still relishing(ish) the challenge. More than anything, I am glad I have understanding members if nothing else, who despite some misgivings, largely go with it as we seek to serve Christ in our community.