Why Church Plants Fail?

Let’s face it, most church plants don’t make it. Matter of fact I have heard that 2 out of 3 don’t make it to year 2. I meet with a lot of planters and I am often asked my opinion on what is the reason why most plants don’t make it.

As with most things I have my opinion but that is all it is but I believe there are several practical reasons why most church plants don’t make it:

1.) MOST guys who think they are called to plant a church simply aren’t - That sounds rough but if you started a church because you wanted to preach, wanted to be a lead pastor, couldn’t get hired by another church, or are mad at your current church then you probably aren’t called to plant. I have met so many guys who have REAL skills in the area of pastoring but they AREN’T called to be planters. Starting something from scratch takes a different type of skill set and not everyone has that set though they have other gifts that many planters don’t have.

Far too many people think planting is the answer to church growth and an easy gig. HA! Shows they don’t know much. I am convinced most guys who are planting simply aren’t called to plant.

2.) Most planters aren’t called to their area to plant - Again I am not questioning anyones calling as that is between them and God. However I think as planters we spend entirely to much time looking at demographics for the fastest growing areas and most white collar areas and think that is where we fit. I remember when I felt called to plant that I immediately started looking at all the fastest growing areas. Problem is every other planter in America was looking at the same places. Don’t get me wrong, Canton is growing but it isn’t growing like many other towns I looked at. However we went to an area that fit us and that needed to hear about Jesus.

Someone pointed out a blog to me where someone commented about how our rap video was prove they wouldn’t fit as a planter in Canton. I am glad that person realized they wouldn’t fit here (Though I think the video would have worked anywhere). Far to many planters don’t realize who they are and realize the importance making sure they area they are called to fits them.

3.) Most planters don’t know their area - Again, all of them think they do, but most know their area through their churchy eyes. They see the area they way they want to see it and not the way it truly is. I think planters need to be at the forefront of knowledge when it comes to the city they are called to plant in. I know as much about the history of Canton as I do the present. I also know tons about future plans because they will effect how we do church.

Planters need to know their area.

Guys want to blame everything and anyone on why their plant doesn’t make it. Everyone wants to start over and thinks everyone else had it better but the fact is most guys simply fail in some of the above areas and therefore their plants are doomed from the beginning.

I have a few more reasons why I think plants don’t make it but that is enough for now and those are important because they focus on the planter and not the plant. I’ll give more as I get time….