1. We want to be true to the Biblical mandate. We obey Jesus’ call and we follow St. Paul’s example as we go to plant churches. Mission strategist C. Peter Wagner says, “Planting new churches is the most effective evangelistic methodology known under heaven.”
2. We want to be true to the Great Commission. New churches are the best vehicle to reach new generations, new residents, new people groups and, especially, the unchurched.
3. We want continually to renew the whole Body of Christ. As Tim Keller writes, “It is a great mistake to think that we have to choose between church planting and church renewal. Strange as it may seem, the planting of new churches… is one of the very best ways to revitalize many older churches in the vicinity and renew the whole Body of Christ.” New churches bring new ideas to the whole Church, raise up new leaders and cause established churches to reevaluate themselves and redefine their mission more evangelistically.
4. We want to stay focused on the Kingdom of God. The work of church planting stirs excitement through new leaders and ministries and income, which, as Keller puts it, “washes back” into the sponsoring churches to strengthen it.