We don't plant churches, we plant gospel seeds
- Cristobal Ceron
- 12 minutes ago
- 4 min read
What comes into our minds when we hear about church planting? Much has been written and said about this topic in the last couple of decades. Some of you reading these lines might sceptically be thinking, “I don’t know what else can be said about church planting that I haven’t read or seen already” or “Church planters feel they are superior to the rest of us pastors that are doing a not-so-cool job on a daily basis”. If you are a bit tired about hearing and reading about church planting, I hope this short article encourages you as you are reminded that the Lord has called us to sow gospel seeds and not to plant churches. This is because:
1. Churches are the result of sowing gospel seeds.
When the apostle Paul records what happened to the church in Colossae, through the work of Epaphras, he does not appear to be celebrating a new church in his strategic plan. Let us remember what made Paul’s heart sing:
We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God’s people— the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel that has come to you. Col. 1:3-6a
The message of the gospel told them first about a secure hope they had not previously heard of. From that certainty, a Spirit filled faith and love was born. One that began to look like a gospel community. But the venue, the budget, the numbers, the liturgy, the next leadership conference, the PCC meeting, was not on the apostle’s thanksgiving radar when he thought about his Colossians brothers and sisters. What made Paul’s heart sing was that the gospel had been planted firmly in their hearts which in turn began to produce a Christ-like family among their unbelieving neighbours.
2. Churches will keep bearing fruit only because of the gospel.
By God’s grace, I’m the founding pastor of a church my family and I planted 15 years ago with a team of seven friends. As I write, I’m very much aware of the needs of our local church today. Just to name a few, I can’t remember when the last time was that our church had a yearly budget that was “in the black”. I’m praying for the possibility to own a physical venue in which we can settle ourselves and do life and ministry for the benefit of our district (in the last 15 years we have been in six different locations). The attendance rate every Sunday mimics the emotional ups and down of a wild teenager and I will also start on a new diocesan role soon that will reduce my time as a pastor. If I were to compare our reality with that of an ideal church planting strategy written by a successful western church planting expert my outcome would be one of spiritual depression! But If I decide to look back and see the fruit of the gospel in the last 15 years in our small congregation, then my heart can rest and rejoice.
The Lord has produced a joyful community that has a humble attitude which helps us draw near and offer help to those in need and point them to the only one who can fully restore their lives. It is wonderful to see a hospitable heart in practice that manifests in an ‘open-home policy ’and a natural disposition for discipling relationships. God has granted us the privilege of seeing gospel workers being trained up and sent out for the service of the broader church and we have been able to be a family for those who in our inner city context needed a place to be, to cry, to play, to celebrate, to create, to serve and to be challenged. I’m speaking about people; brothers and sisters who despite their difficulties and pitfalls are still trusting Christ and have a desire to honour God in everything they think and do.
Therefore, be encouraged and make a decision to fix your eyes on what is above. If your heart begins to grow weary -every time you go on social media and see other ministries that look more successful that yours- remember this: It is the gospel of Christ that produces fruit. If you are gospel centred person, if you love to share the good news to others in an unfashionable way; if you are a traditional pastor that loves to spend time with people opening the bible and praying or if you are a grandmother who feels your time to do “great things for God” is past, remind yourself: the good news of Jesus Christ you are planting on a “one to one” basis will bear an unimaginable fruit by the power of the Spirit and for the Father’s eternal glory.
Don’t lose perspective, God is in the throne and He reigns!
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