Top 10 Reasons Church Plants Fail

Summarized from an article written by Jim Griffith and Don Nations:

• Lack of a clear definition of "success"
• Prematurely launching public worship
• Mismatch between the planter and the community
• Someone didn't accurately assess the planter
• Lack of ongoing training and coaching
• Putting too much stock in one big event or campaign
• Taking on too much overhead too soon [eg: office space]
• The inability or unwillingness to recruit new people
• Inability to prioritize the right activities and investments
• Unwillingness to change the strategy when it doesn't work

Comments

[Johnny]

I'd say that's a pretty accurate list.

We hit about 6 of those the first time around, not the least of which was "prematurely launching public worship..."

Fortunately, we've managed to reverse 5 of the 6 for this leg of the journey. ...But we're working furiously on that 6th one...:-)

[Ben]

Yeah, I think God wants to "reverse the curse" of many bad starts... and it's entirely possible.

[Robert]

Ben, thanks for sharing this.

I enjoy your blog and decided today that I would NO LONGER simply be a "blog stalker"!

We don't know each other, but I pray for your and your church often.

Blessings,
Robert

[Ben]

Robert, thanks so much for speaking up! I hail from Pennsylvania myself... Lancaster for most of my childhood. God bless...

[steve]

i don't normally get involved with blog sites, but i read the list via an e-mail that i received. You asked for comments, and the children's pastor here at our church made a great observation: If we are talking about church "plants", they will need water (the Word) and a patient sower. "One plants, another waters, but it is God who brings the increase...."