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What’s this about Johnson Creek?
As
many of you know, Johnson Creek has changed dramatically in recent
years. Between 1990 and 2000, the
population has grown by 25.31%.
Between 2000 and 2005, it grew by another 10.27%. The average age of those living in
Johnson Creek is 35.2. New subdivisions
have sprouted. Others are in the
planning stages. Given its proximity
and easy access to Madison and Milwaukee, Johnson
Creek will continue to grow in the future. Kohl’s, Menards, the Outlet Center, Star Cinema and Highway
Harry’s are all new to Johnson Creek.
People and businesses are investing in Johnson Creek.
Yet,
there is no Missouri
Synod church in Johnson Creek.
Some in the South Wisconsin District would
like to see that changed. Our
district has identified (on the basis of a demographic study) Johnson Creek
as a logical site for a church plant.
Our district is encouraging Good Shepherd to explore the possibility
of taking the lead in planting a church in Johnson Creek. And our district
arranged for church planting seminar
by the Center for U.S. Missions. It took place in Fond du Lac in early October. Four of us from Good Shepherd attended.
Here are a few take-home points:
·
First, why should we even
consider it? Don’t we have enough to
do in Watertown? Yes, we have more than enough to do in Watertown. However, the parting words of Jesus were:
“Go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew28:19). The disciples
obeyed, going from town to town preaching the Good News and starting new
churches. No matter where we live in
the U.S.,
there are people who do not know Jesus as their savior. The stakes could
not be higher.
·
The most effective way to
reach those without a church is by planting new churches. Sixty to eighty
percent of the new adult members of new congregations are not actively involved in the life
of any worshipping congregations.
·
In churches that are 0-3
years old, 3 members are required to reach 1 new member. In churches that
are 3-10 years old, 7 members are required to reach 1 new member. In churches that are over
10 years old, it requires 89 members to reach one new member. Why are new
churches so much more effective?
Their focus is outward. (It
has to be, or they die.) One quote
from the conference: “It’s easier to give birth than to raise the dead.” That is, it’s
easier to bring in new members than it is to vivify inactive members. It’s
also easier to plant a new church than it is to revive a dying church. The
preferred model for planting a new church is for there to be a mother
congregation. A mother church is one
that gives sacrificially of resources, people, leadership, and
encouragement in order to start a new church. A partner church is one that
comes alongside and helps. The
pastors and a few members of St. Paul’s Janesville have
expressed interest in working with Good Shepherd to plant a church in
Johnson Creek. There may be other churches that can help.
·
The most helpful thing a
mother church can do is encourage a number of people to join the church
plant so they can reach a critical mass (about a hundred). This is known as
“hiving off”, sending a number of bees to establish a new hive. Can we
afford to send 35-40 members?
·
Though planting a church is
not cheap, it is good to make sacrifices for Jesus! In addition, there may
be significant assistance from “Ablaze”, the recent mission emphasis of our
synod. The Lutheran Church Extension
Fund may be able to help, as well as the Siebert Foundation, partnership
churches, support raising done by the planting pastor, and possibly through
a pastor who is bi-vocational. Planting a church doesn’t have to break the
bank!
·
Planting a church is not
without risk. 50 – 60% of church
plants fail, and when they do “there is carnage all over the place.” There
are usually very clear reasons why they failed, reasons that could have
been precluded. For church plants to succeed requires the right person, in
the right place, with the right vision.
·
There’s no perfect time to
plant a church, just as there’s no perfect time for a couple to conceive a
child. In reality, people don’t wait until everything is ready. The
question is not “can I afford to become a mother church” but rather “How
can I afford to be a mother/partner church?”
·
What’s in it for us? The joy of giving. The joy of parenting.
The joy of obedience. The sense of God’s pleasure. The excitement of
tackling a big challenge. The joys of seeing dozens of people come to
Christ through a new church. In a sense, if we were to plant a church in
Johnson Creek, we would have a hand in every baptism that took place out
there. What an honor!
Obviously, there’s
much to think and pray about, and there’s much homework to do. And of course, this is a decision that
belongs to the congregation (not the pastor or the district). However, I
would like Good Shepherd to explore this further. It may be one of the best
ways we could ever “share the grace of the Good Shepherd”!
Pastor Groth
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