Multiplying disciples and multiplying churches are inseparable. We must multiply churches that make disciples. The North American “Gospel Gap” won’t be closed by new churches only experiencing transfer growth.
We must multiply disciples that lead to new churches—the church is not a humanly originated institution, but the bride and body of Christ. The New Testament is full of stories of newly established local churches transforming lives and communities through the hope and holiness of Jesus Christ.
My travels have been full of interactions with leaders who have a “sending” vision. Among them was ALIVE Church (Central, South Carolina) when their lay and pastoral leaders gathered as Pastor Tom Harding cast a fresh vision. Still passionate about reaching the 96,000 in their immediate ZIP codes, ALIVE Church is investing in a multigenerational kingdom force to become a movement multiplying disciples and locations in ZIP codes far and wide.
I was also with half a dozen Chesapeake District pastors who are partnering to reach their numerous ZIP codes with multiple expressions of the church. These local churches are epicenters for launching new and renewing existing churches.
Both groups provide a living example that while districts and denominations can provide vital support in planting churches, the front line is local churches multiplying themselves.
As Rick Warren, pastor and author, says, “The greatness of a church is not its seating capacity, but its sending capacity.”
We celebrate every time a disciple makes a disciple and the church multiplies itself until The Wesleyan Church has a transforming presence in every ZIP code.
I pray daily over multiplication visions given to me by our Wesleyan pastors, no matter the size of their churches.
It’s a great way to start the day!