Reaching our Cities Means Renewing and Replanting Churches

Church Networks Create Capacity for Gospel Transformation

Photo by Zachary Edmundson on Unsplash

There are over 7 million souls living in Tennessee. Over 4 million are without Christ.

There are about 12,000 houses of worship in Tennessee, which include about 3200 in my tribe of Southern Baptist churches.

Research tells us that a least 80% of all of these churches have plateaued or are declining. Most of these churches have not baptized one person in the last year or more. Attendance has declined in actual numbers and plummeted compared to local population growth. Finances are tight. And the primary activities in the church are around legacy programs and committee operations.

Of the 20% of churches that are healthier and growing, most do not consider church renewal or multiplication as a strategic priority. So as church life-cycles go, that means they too will soon be plateaued or declining.

All the while lostness and brokenness in our communities are on a steep rise. Only the church is responsible for the lostness around us. Every church is responsible for their city, county, or community.

By God’s grace, we are a people of hope. We are the people of Good News of great joy for all the people!

So, we do not lack a solution to the enveloping darkness of our cities, but one single church does lack the capacity for reaching the city for Christ. One church can do its best, but if it remains siloed from any local network of churches and disengages from local church renewal efforts, it will be a lone life boat in a sea of perishing neighbors.

What if, instead, the healthiest churches caught a vision for the city that moved church renewal and replanting into their strategic plan?

What if these churches said, “Church growth, renewal, and replanting are not the mission. They are, instead, essential strategies for the salvation of souls, the transformation our communities, and the advancement of Jesus’ kingdom.”?

And what if the not-so-healthy churches humbled themselves, acknowledged their need for help, and seriously engaged with healthier churches for renewal and a fresh start?

The question is not, “How is our church doing?” The question remains, “How is our city doing?” “How is our state doing?”

THRIVING PASTORS. STRONG CHURCHES. TRANSFORMED COMMUNITIES.

These three priorities describe the calling of my life, and by God’s grace, I’m able to pursue this calling as the Strengthening Healthy Churches Team Leader with the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board. We serve churches by multiplying gospel leaders who advance God’s kingdom.

If you’re a Tennessee Baptist pastor, please reach out. I’d love to get to know you, and how we serve you.

I’m also the Executive Director of Everyone’s Wilson and The Everyone’s Welcome Network—a platform for Gospel transformation in local communities. Our mission is to unite the Church to engage the community, so everyone thrives.

To keep up with our work at Everyone’s Wilson, you can Follow Us on the Socials or Subscribe to the Everyone’s Wilson Newsletter Here.

If you, your church, or your community leaders are interested in creating or joining community transformation collective in your community, I’d love to connect with you.

Sign up as an Everyone’s Wilson Prayer Partner HERE.

Please consider partnering with us financially. You can give HERE. All gifts are tax-deductible.

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