CHURCH PLANTING
"Churches that give away blessings are more likely to be blessed. They are focused on others rather than on themselves, open to outsiders, inclusive rather than exclusive, outreaching rather than self-fortifying, an army of life savers rather than a club of those already saved." --Leith Anderson, Pastor
Our Philosophy
The decision to start a family is never an easy one. One must be financially and mentally prepared. One must pick the right partner! The same applies to starting or planting a church. Here at Northshore, we believe strongly in church multiplication and consider it to be one of our great passions. We believe it's about obedience to the great commission and the great commandment. Being a product of a church plant by Ballard Baptist Church back in 1969, we gain an interesting perspective. Church planting projects are not always easy or successful; however, they are always educational.
Daughters and Granddaughters
Beginning in the 1990s we heard the Lord's call to begin thinking of church planting as a ministry of our local church. We prayed and set aside 15% of our total missions' budget for church multiplication. A fever of generosity began to throb within the church and we've been planting churches ever since. It's God's greatest method for expanding His Kingdom. Healthy new churches just naturally bring new people to Christ. There is no more effective tool for evangelism on the planet. Take a look at the various church plants that started from Northshore Baptist Church and its daughter churches.
What's Next?
With a population of over four million, Washington has about 60 Converge Northwest churches with a combined attendance of about 11,000. Perhaps 5-10% of the state's population attends an evangelical church on Sunday mornings. Could God use us to start a new church? To start several new churches? We think so. And what if those churches were dedicated to be reproducing churches? We'd like to be known as a "church planting" church that fuels a church multiplication movement throughout the Pacific Northwest and beyond. The leadership team at Northshore is currently planning to plant one church every two to three years. The search for called, qualified and experienced church planters is already underway.
10 essentials for church multiplication:
- Spiritual Empowerment - planting projects are birthed and bathed in prayer.
- Scriptural Authority - the Bible is our mandate.
- Shared Vision - broad ownership among staff.
- Empowered Leadership
- Personal Coaching and Training
- Effective Evangelism - a good balance between evangelism and discipleship.
- Authentic Community - Kingdom community must be emphasized.
- Multiplying Churches - pass on the belief in church planting to daughter churches.
- Perpetual Funding
- Intentional Planning - task force for overseeing the planning strategy
