28 months ago, Adrian Watts left Oak Hill Theological College. He moved to Bradford and started a church plant with his fellow-pastor, Tom Swinney. Today The Good Book Blog continues to talk to Adrian about why he chose to plant in Bradford and how things are going ...
Christians who've recently moved into a new area aren't always keen to join small church plants. Of course, sometimes it's right to join a larger, more established church. But how would you address some of the common objections?
When considering joining a church plant, it is worth asking the question ‘why have they decided to plant a new church?’ For example, there maybe a church plant because Christians in the area are having to travel some distance to go to a Bible teaching church and so it would be wrong to assume that a bigger, more established church, is better.
Here are four possible reasons why people might not want to join a church plant. And a few points to ponder.
(1) ‘I want somewhere where there are people my own age.’
It is understandable that people want to belong to a group of people like themselves. This may be particularly the case if you are looking for a husband or wife. However, it is a mistake to think that to have a meaningful Christian relationship is only possible with people of your own age. The Bible teaches that people of different ages make different contributions to the maturing of the congregation.
(2) ‘I want somewhere where I can drop off my kids so I can have time with God.’
It is understandable that parents will be attracted to a church that has a developed Sunday school programme. We currently do not have any children at Trinity Church but we do have a Sunday school lesson on standby so that if any families come with young children we are ready to teach the lesson. However, there is a danger that we have a consumerist attitude toward church. A church plant is be a good place to challenge such mentality.
(3) ‘Who are these people and where did they come from?’
It is understandable that people are cautious of new churches, especially if they have had bad experiences in a church before. When we planted in Bradford we were careful to do things in a way that would give people confidence that we were not some cult. We spoke to the leaders of our sending churches and they supported our plans. We also worked alongside Paul Hinton for a year at a small village church on the outskirts of Bradford before being sent into the centre of Bradford.
(4) ‘I want somewhere where I won’t stand out.’
Some people want to come and go to a church as they please, and sometimes even belong to several different churches. It is true that a church plant is not somewhere where you can hide in this way which is a good thing. It is important to belong to a church where you are known and there is an accountability.
In considering these four objections, there may be many good reasons for you not to join a church plant and that to join a church plant may well involve some kind of sacrifice. But if the aims of the church plant are legitimate then it is a sacrifice worth considering.
Adrian Watts is one of the pastors at Trinity Church, Bradford
