Church Planting and Replanting: It’s Working in Ohio

The weekend was a time to sharpen one another from the Word of God and to also be reminded of who we are as Southern Baptists. A historical reminder of the origin of the Southern Baptist Convention, State Convention of Baptists in Ohio, and the Cooperative Program were well received and appreciated. The prioritization and education of the SBC are foundational as we plant and replant churches here in Ohio.

Nearly 80 planters, replanters, and their spouses gathered in Columbus for this two-day event, with many staying an extra night to enjoy a special date night provided by the SCBO. Dr. Paul Akin said he left extremely encouraged and energized by this event and thanked Ohio Baptists for making this a top priority.

I want to encourage all of our churches to continue to pray for and support our church planters and replanters.

Is the Lord calling your church to plant a church? Dr. Adrian Rogers was famous for calling Christians to “live their lives open-handed and to hold everything loosely.” What if we as pastors held the families and finances of the church we lead loosely and open-handedly? Our God is a sending God, and we must follow that example.

When I served as Senior Pastor in Marysville and we commissioned our first church plant, I told our church planter he was free to preach and ask our entire church to go with him.
To be completely honest, I was a little nervous that some of our faithful covenant members might walk out the door alongside him. However, God reminded me that they are not my people, but His. They’re not my resources, but His. It’s not my church, but His.

Pastor, will you stand and ask your leaders that you have spent years investing in to go with your planter and trust God? Remember, we gain by losing. A phrase we must champion is that we are not losing members but launching missionaries.
Be encouraged Ohio Baptists...it’s working.