Why church planting is still important to me today

The importance of church planting has by no means lost its relevance today. On the contrary, it is a fundamental aspect of Christian faith and evangelization. Planting new churches not only fulfills a mission, but also provides an opportunity to deepen one's relationship with Jesus and confront people with God's love and truth in a practical way. It is a process that changes people from the inside out while creating space for individual and community development. 

I would like to briefly summarize five key points that are important to me. 

1. The mission of church planting 

“Church planting comes from Jesus and leads to Jesus.” As Dietrich Schindler aptly puts it, this idea makes it clear that every new church plant is not just a human initiative, but rather a divine calling. It is a mission that stems from the mission of Jesus himself to reach people, teach them and make them followers of Christ. The first step in any church plant must therefore come from a close relationship with Jesus. Without Him, the central origin and direction of the project is missing. Church planting begins and ends with Jesus.

2. Be more like Jesus 

A central goal of church planting is to be more like Jesus. Following Christ is not just about theoretical knowledge or dogmatic teachings, but about a change of heart that shapes our service to people. Jesus showed us a profound longing to help and save people. This impulse to heal people, bring them hope and lead them to the truth is also at the heart of church planting today. A new church becomes a platform on which people can experience how God's love becomes visible in concrete actions. Church planting challenges leaders to grow in their relationship with Jesus and to constantly question themselves. 

3. Meeting people - the church as a place of change 

A church is not only a place of teaching and prayer, but also a space in which people can be changed from the inside out. People can address their personal challenges and life issues in a protected environment. It is a place where they not only learn about the theory of faith, but can also experience how this faith actually changes their lives. Encounters between people play a central role in this. To see how Jesus has already changed the lives of many people and how he is still changing lives. This visibility of change in the lives of others is a powerful testimony to the possibility of change and growth in faith. 

The church becomes a place of practical, pastoral help, where people experience comfort and support, but also take on challenges that help them move forward in their spiritual lives. 

4. A home in the community 

The new church becomes a home for many people, a place where they feel at home, where they not only receive answers to their questions, but can also grow in interpersonal terms. It is a place of encouragement where people can support, challenge and advance each other. At a time when many people in society are experiencing alienation and isolation, the church offers a network of belonging and mutual support. 

5. creating clarity and correcting misconceptions 

There are still many people today who have a false image of the church and its importance. I encounter this time and again when I talk about the church at work or on the street. Religious institutions are often associated with negative connotations. Church planting is an opportunity to communicate, to create a new image of church - an image based on the love, forgiveness and hope that Jesus Christ wants to bring to people. It is about creating clarity and showing people that the true church is a living organism that cares for the well-being of its members and responds to the needs of society. 

Conclusion: Church planting is of central importance 

Church planting is still of great importance today because it follows the fundamental mission of Jesus and helps people to be more like Him. It is a place where people can experience in a practical way how faith changes their lives. Church planting is a way of meeting people, encouraging them and helping them to find a home in faith. In a world where more and more people are searching for answers, the church provides a space where these questions can be answered. By correcting misconceptions about the church, the true mission of faith becomes visible and tangible. Church planting is therefore not only a necessity, but also a response to the deepest needs of society.