1st_consider the historical fact that multiple “churches” were really planted that day when Peter preached in Jerusalem. Here’s why – many of those people had gathered for this festival from all over the world, speaking in many different tongues. They did not stay in Jerusalem. More than likely, they returned home from this event – a pretty strategic move on God’s part I’d say. Israel being a land bridge for the three continents connecting the world and therefore exponentially multiplying the impact of the Gospel. So – lots of “churches” were started that day and planted in multiple contexts through the lives of these people returning to their home towns.

2nd_I would suggest that neither Peter or Paul set out to start churches. I am not sure from reading Acts that you can say they were passionate about church planting at all. I think you could say they were passionate about planting and watering the Gospel into people’s lives. What happened from there is that the church sprouted up in and through the lives of the church (people) following Jesus together and being the church in their context.

3rd_I would suggest that we don’t “start” or “plant” churches, we plant and water the Gospel into lives. God uses us as catalytic growers into lives, but He BLOSSOMS His church. Paul said that we plant and water, but God causes the growth. If so, then He blossoms His church. We just plant and water into the lives of the people who will soon be the church as they follow Jesus.

Thoughts from the cheap seats. Thankful for you Joe.

The way I see it, if 80-90% of the church in America is lost, then I see myself as a missionary to the “churched” non-Christians, just as much as anybody else, especially if I am a part of an established church. Then, of course, there are your nominal/cultural Christians- people who are only Christian because of birth and tradition. They, too, need to learn what it means to follow Jesus.

The goal certainly isn’t to start a church (or plant) and watch the believers in an area start showing up. My guess is if they’re dedicated to Christ, they’ll stick around their own churches anyway. Any church hoppers I would get- well, we’d want to lead them into a deep relationship with Christ just like anybody else. I guess what I’m saying is, “treat’em all like they’re lost until they show that they’re not.”

Or like in Acts are you gospel planting, resulting in salvations, resulting in a church, a new community of followers of Christ, i.e. church planting, the church is birthed out of new salvations just like in Acts with the 3000.

Today in America we have nothing but church starting, 99% of church growth here is just transfer or unchurched Christian going to a “New church” the latest version of church.

In China and the rest of the World we have “church planting”, people going out and planting the gospel, resulting in people coming to Christ, resulting in new churches – community of faiths.