by Steve Pike, National Director, AG Church Multiplication Network

Yesterday, I had a conversation that reminded me of a myth that all too often impedes the progress of starting new churches. I’ve actually heard the myth recounted several different ways. Some call it the “Five Mile Rule.” For others it’s the “Twelve Mile Rule.” I’ve even heard a variation called the “Fifty Mile Rule.” The essence of the myth is that somewhere in the official Constitution and Bylaws of the Assemblies of God there is a clause that prohibits a new church from starting up within a certain distance of an existing church. This is simply not true. Such a restriction does not exist in the General Council Constitution and By-laws. The “_________ Mile Rule” is imaginary.

The problem is that this imaginary rule has been repeated so often that a lot of leaders make decisions based on it. A lot of planters decide not to plant in a particular location because they think an existing church has “dibs” on that community. Many pastors of existing churches have appealed to the “rule” to prevent a new church from starting up near them.

In fairness, there are some Districts that do have such guidelines in their official documents… so in those Districts the rule is not imaginary. But, an increasing number of Districts are choosing to line up their official stance on the matter with the posture modeled by the General Council.

And the lack of a mileage guideline should not be construed to mean that churches should be planted without input from churches that already have ministry presence in that community. Leaders of existing churches should be part of the conversation regarding the need for a new church in the community they serve.

The needs and opportunities in America are too great for us to allow them to be hindered by imaginary rules. Before you make a decision about planting or supporting the start up of a new church in your area, make sure you have your facts straight! Too many American lives are at stake to let imaginary rules to hinder the progress of God’s Church!

Don’t hesitate to call your support team at the Church Multiplication Network. We can help  you sort through the maze of organizational guidelines and find the straightest path to fulfilling what God has called  you to do. Our contact number is 800-447-0427. We’re here to help.

by Steve Pike, Director, Church Multiplication Network

This past weekend, US Missionary Jay Covert, founder and director of Urban Outreach, East St. Louis, was the main speaker at the first ever missions convention for a brand new CMN matching fund church in Centerton, Arkansas. One of the expectations we have for matching fund churches is that they “tithe” to missions. By asking the churches that benefit from the $30,000 funds to be generous toward missions, it was our hope to strengthen the missionary heart in the DNA of each new church. Here’s Jay’s note to me about his experience this past weekend at New Song Church, where Jim Severn is pastor.

“Hey Steve,

Today I was the first guest US Missionary at New Song Church in Centerton, AR. led by Pastor Jim Severn. They assembled a core group in May of 2008 and The New Song Church was launched Oct 2008. This church was a receiver of the $30,000.00 CMN Matching Funds for new church plants.

Jim Severn is a awesome and passionate pastor! Pastor Severn had invited me to come as their first missionary to give the charge and challenge for New Song in Missions abroad. What a great church! The folks were so warm and friendly. I really enjoyed myself there and felt right at home. They had 104 in attendance today (which is a little off their average) but the thing I thought was incredible especially since the economy is not very good is their sacrifice and giving of a $3,100.00 love offering.

I was able today to see what it looks like when CMN helps plant a church from scratch and see full swing the impact of a missions foundation laid in the hearts of a great church.

Watch this church closely because this church is going somewhere. Their passion, vision and heart for missions and people is incredible.

Be blessed,

Jay”

Right now, the main source for these matching funds are the monies raised through AG Trust. Investing in AG Trust is a great way to invest in starting new, vigorous churches. Every matching fund church is also expected to invest into the next generation of missions motivated churches and so on and so on. That’s how the CMN Matching Fund partnership with AG Trust works. It leverages the “circle of life” so that every matching fund plant is a “perpetual church plant.” 

Currently there are 47 matching fund churches and counting. By God’s grace I’m hopeful that hundreds more will be birthed in the next few years. Call us to discover how you can be part of this quiet revival of missionary fervor! 

By Steve Pike, National Director, Church Multiplication Network

A model is a way to do things. It answers the “how” question. A principle is the reason we do things. It answers the “why”  and the “what” questions.

A sure recipe for failure in starting a new church is to pick a model you like and just do it without evaluating why the model is right for the cultural context. The church planting highway is littered with far too many failures caused by models misapplied. 

Start with the principle based why and what questions. Why is a church needed here? Why are 80% of the people in this town not connected to a worshipping community of disciples? What might a church need to look like to effectively help people in this city know Jesus? Get these kinds of questions right and then find a working model you can learn from.

Principles must be the foundation for our models. Putting the model first inevitably leads to mission drift and mediocrity.