In the ten-and-a-half years Clarence Steiner has been based in McDonough, he estimates the Henry Baptist Association has averaged around one church start annually. Most of those have come in recent years, however, to keep up with the area's explosive growth.

"In the last three years, there has been a tremendous amount of activity," he says. "In a fast-growing area like Henry County, you have apartments and subdivisions going up like crazy. A lot of new folks don't go and find a church, so we take the church to them."

The fact that the general population is growing yet church attendance numbers have remained relatively level lead to a call for innovative churches, pastors say, even in the Bible Belt. Similar traits can be found in many of these congregations. Dress is casual. Music is contemporary. Donuts are available.

Also, the Word is presented a little differently without deviating from its message.

Jim Millirons, specialist with New Church Development of the Georgia Baptist Convention, maintains that the willingness of churches to plant other churches is key in reaching others for Christ.

"God has chosen to use His church to advance His kingdom in every population segment and people group," he says. "Healthy Kingdom Churches multiply and reach people because it is what they do. It's part of their DNA.

"Why more churches in the Bible Belt? It is not the number of churches in the community that dictate the need for another church, but the number of lost people. Church planting is about reducing lostness and penetrating darkness."

David Fleming, pastor of Warren Baptist Church in Augusta, maintains that the creation of new churches is a necessity. Warren is the host church for The Church at Greenbrier, located in Evans.

"Most established churches in the Bible Belt aren't growing and aren't reaching the unchurched very effectively," he says. "New churches tend to grow faster and can target the unchurched without splitting the existing church."

"Prayer, prayer and more prayer is needed to establish God's direction, timing and location," states Don Prevatt, pastor of Gatlin Creek Baptist Church in Thomasville, which helped establish Lighthouse Community Baptist Church in Pelham. "You need to share the vision and invite people to share in the journey."

 

Preparing to plant

The process of planting a church doesn't go without preparation, Steiner adds.

"We research demographics and pinpoint different areas to see which ones are least churched in the county. We look for subdivisions that are going up quickly and see what possibilities lie there."

One of Henry Association's more recent starts is Crossway Community Church in Hampton. Pastor Jay Fuller says certain traits are important to be a church planter.

"You need motivation, focus, vision, humility, patience and thick skin," he says. "There also needs to be a willingness to take risks and constantly learn."

Gary Lamb, pastor of Ridge Stone Church in Canton, echoes the comments. Ridge Stone is a church plant of West Ridge Church in Hiram.

"You need to be a salesman and an entrepreneur," says Lamb, a Dacula native. "You take something from nothing and cast a vision."

Before coming to Canton, Lamb established a church plant in Iowa. During that time he says he learned some tough lessons.

"At that time, I didn't know anything about church planting. Everything you could do wrong, I did it.

"In Iowa, I was compromising my vision to get more people. If you get different people wanting their own vision, then you eventually have a bunch of different visions."

It helps a vision to grow if it's streamlined, say pastors. In other words, minister specifically in the way God leads.

Bob Horner has seen a growing focus from the members of Peachtree Corners Baptist Church in Norcross toward international ministry. In addition to an established Russian mission, Peachtree has planted a Korean as well as Spanish mission.

He says the church is currently looking to establish an Indian mission through its Spanish pastor, Carlos Salaverria. The separate works have had a collective effect on the congregation, Horner says.

 

Support for reaching

"There has been a process of becoming more open to other races and cultures," he continues. "We're a healthier church because of that. We have more of a healthy worldview.

"Our goal is to have people who want to reach the world for Christ, not just Atlanta."

Many factors contribute to establishing a new church. First and foremost, church plant pastors acknowledge that the support of a host church is imperative.

Passion Community Church in Covington, sponsored by First Baptist Social Circle, has much to be thankful for from its host church, says Passion Pastor Paul Casola.

"They are our main financial backing and also help with administrative aspects through their office personnel. In addition, the missions leader has compiled extra resources and people to assist us on various ideas we've had."

Brian Jones, pastor of The Pointe Church in Holly Springs, says the support goes deeper than just money.

"I was minister to students for more than two years at Cherokee Baptist Church in Woodstock (The Pointe's host church) before establishing The Pointe. They invested a great deal in me personally and have helped our church financially. They provide my family's medical insurance. They assist with events in worship services through teaching and leading drama.

"Their support lends credibility to our work."

 

Connect with the community

Although perhaps seen by some as a liability, the fact that most church starts meet in a building minus a steeple helps in getting off the ground and reaching others.

Ridge Stone Church meets in a middle school, as does Passion Community. The Pointe gets together at a skating rink, while Audubon congregates in a community clubhouse.

Establishing a connection to the community is perhaps the top priority for a church plant.

"We didn't use mail outs or anything like that in getting started," says Lamb. "Our number one method of advertising was getting out in the community. If there was something going on, someone on our team was there."

In addition, Lamb would take it a step further.

"I'd go to some place like Applebee's and pay the waitress a dollar to sit people in the booth next to me. I would strike up conversations with those people. I'd sit at the bar and talk to whoever was there."

Casola says his church first started through home Bible studies.

"We'd go around the neighborhood and invite people to the studies. We used Kevin Lehman's Making the Most of Marriage to help generate attendance.

"We also used creative servant evangelism outreaches in order to get our name out to people. We went where they were already gathered and volunteered, such as by giving free popcorn and candy canes at the Covington Christmas parade and handing out free water at the Chamber of Commerce golf tournament.

"When our people invited folks to church, many responded with things like, "'Aren't you the guys who ...?'"

 

A living, breathing church

Ministering in a gated mobile home community, Pastor Mike McCoy has seen the importance and benefits of being involved on a relational basis.

The Community Church at Audubon, located in McDonough, has the strong feel of a New Testament church, he says. The congregation meets in the community clubhouse and was established by the Henry Baptist Association.

"Although there is no physical presence of a church building, the people of the community know we're there," says McCoy. "When we get together to worship, we're just a group of believers that want to celebrate Jesus. There is no traditional mold to hold on to."