We Don't Need Any More Churches" - Part 1

"We don't need any more churches."  I actually heard a well-known, Houston-area, megachurch pastor say that recently.  He went on to say that we have plenty of churches already.  We need to focus on revitalizing our existing churches instead of starting new ones.

I have a few problems with that way of thinking.

What about all of the unreached people groups ("tribes") that are in our own backyard.  The overall U.S. population is growing by 6%, but the Asian population is growing by 107%, Hispanic population by 53%, and Native American population by 38%.  Twenty-five of the largest U.S. cities are now majority ethnics:  ethnics make up 53% of Houston, 61% of Chicago, 73% of New York, and 78% of Los Angeles.  There are more Filipinos in Los Angeles that in any city in the world.  There are now more Cubans in Miami than in Havana.

What about population segments (people that are connected by experience or affinity)?  Population segments can include 2nd generation Asians, factory workers, former addicts in recovery, divorced mothers of preschoolers, cowboys, skate boarders, bikers, etc.  Most of these "tribal" communities are virtually untouched by existing churches.  When we do invite them to our churches, we are inviting them to a subculture that they don't match.  Why should someone have to cross cultures to come to church or to Christ?

What about cultural environments (based on geography)?  Places like college campuses, apartment complexes (which is home for over 60% of Americans), nursing homes, prisons, factories, office complexes, etc.  How are existing churches tapping into these spaces?

Our existing churches (which are largely Anglo, middle-class, builder-generation subcultures) are not and more than likely will not reach these people groups, population segments, and cultural environments.  Every culture needs the gospel communicated and embodied within their culture.

We need all kinds of churches to reach all kinds of people.

Comments

[Joseph]

Good post Roy. We are doing a less than adequate job of reaching the unreached urban tribes that are hardly noticed by most existing churches. Many church planters see behind the thinly veiled "Christian culture ghetto" into the cracks and crevices where where a precious harvest lies waiting. Bravo, Roy, and bravo fellow church planters.