The Rhetoric of Multiplication

In the last decade, churches in North America have rightfully shifted to emphasize becoming a sending church and supporting church planting. This shift was a significant step forward for gospel work.

However, the church that calls an agency, a network, or a state convention and asks for a planter is not actually a sending church. It is, at best, a supporting church. We need supporting churches, but we must not confuse those with the church that actually produces their own sent out ones.

Sending church language must mean more than recruiting if we ever want a shot at approaching real multiplication. A “sending” church must mean a church that develops from within, not simply sends someone else’s people.

We must create systems that equip every church member for ministry.