Do We Really Need More Churches Planted in America?

Haha most of those are probably more accurate then I care to admit. After all we have legalized gay marriage and marijuana here in Washington. One of the local pot dispensaries used to be a church.

reasons more “mature” Christians (parents, aunts, uncles, pastors, deacons, elders) give

• to young people who have the temerity to propose ministering in the West.
• a young man who went back East for school and wants to marry an Eastern girl and move back “home.”

Folks would rather send their young people overseas to deepest darkest South Sloboka than to South San Francisco.

[josh p]

Haha most of those are probably more accurate then I care to admit. After all we have legalized gay marriage and marijuana here in Washington. One of the local pot dispensaries used to be a church.

Yeah it’s probably true to a degree and unfortunate. Lord willing when I finish seminary I would like to come back to the NW.

There is a lot of truth in the fact that many, many churches have lost the will or the interest in seeing the lost saved and need a new “engine” of evangelism. It is a problem in many IFB churches that seem more interested in maintaining the status quo.

I don’t know how the author is applying his point, and that is part of the problem. There are ways to continue to win the lost and to be unique from the world without unbiblical compromise with the world.

http://www.gallup.com/poll/125999/mississippians-go-church-most-vermont…

Six out the the bottom ten states in per capita church attendance are New England states…

Having served there (and grown up there), I’m not sure the answer is as simple as going up and planting churches willy-nilly. But there is a need for strong, revitalized churches there. But really, isn’t that the same about anywhere? In order to have a sustained effort in one place, you need a support base. Church planters are needed. Pastors are needed. Faithful church members are needed. Evangelizing the community where you are is needed. Christians staying in the rough neighborhoods are needed. Christians discipling people in the suburbs are needed. If we are basing things solely on need, there is a need about anywhere.

is it’s the land of Unitarians and Catholics. Gasp, you could be contaminated by Democratic (a la the Kennedys) politics, Harvard Divinity, and the RCC. Take your pick.

According to this Washington state is the fifth “least religious” whatever that means.

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2009/01/30/top-10-mostleas…

Honestly it would be hard to start a church in this area (in human thinking at least) since the religious climate is the way it is. I think you are right though Greg. There is a need for new churches and better churches all over.

With the possible exception of some heavily religious cities where a church can be started immediately with “fish from other aquariums”, church planting is tough all over. It seems impossible until we remember Who build the the church.

Practically speaking, it does help to go with some friends. It doesn’t appear that Paul was a lone ranger.

I’m sorry to be the one to tell you but I and my family are leaving Starbucks. It’s not entirely your fault. As a matter of fact up until now Starbucks has been my favorite drinking establishment. But lately I haven’t been getting fed. Perhaps it’s because when I come you don’t have any free food. I’m not sure why but I just know I’m not being fed – so I’m going to Seattle’s Best – which also will not feed me, but I’m sure with a new start the coffee will be more …….”meaningful.” We can still be friends I hope. By the way I want to help you guys at Starbucks do a better job with the people who still attend, so I’m writing out a letter of about ten things you could do better. Of course if you do any of these things I’m still leaving.

I’ve noticed that others have left Starbucks for Seattle’s Best – so I’m sure it’s a good move on our part. We’ll still come back from time to time if you have any free give-away’s. By the way, it’s not just me whose leaving – A few other families agree with me that now is a great time for all of us to leave for Seattle’s Best. One of us is even thinking maybe we’ll start our own coffee shop. We’ve been watching the way you make coffee and we’re pretty sure we actually can do it better for less money…..and we can actually get customers in and out much quicker than you guys. Also we all agree that coffee is better with Soy milk which of course you don’t offer…..Which we can’t understand because everyone knows coffee is always better with Soy. It brings in a better class of people than when you only use half and half.

I hope you can forgive us. Hey – let’s meet for coffee sometime.

Love

Former Starbucks Customer