Harvesting Hope: The Collaborative Mission of Congregational Movement

In the fertile grounds of Northeast Florida Family of Churches, a vision for growth and renewal within the Christian community is taking root. The shifting sands of demographics and dwindling congregational numbers speak to a dire need for fresh church expressions to meet the evolving face of neighborhoods. James Peoples, the strategic mind behind Send Network Florida, paints a picture of a rich harvest awaiting reapers. His recent shared about assessing and green-lighting more than 80 church planters over the next year is a testament to the work already underway across Florida. However, the need surpasses the supply. “There is a continued need for more planters,” he says, signaling a call for a deeper partnership among local churches.

Todd Carr, a church planter in the region, echoes this sentiment. He shares, "As a church planter, I've seen firsthand the impact of local churches working together for Kingdom purpose. Our journey at Exchange Church was significantly bolstered by the support from our sending church and other local congregations. This collaboration is not just about resources; it's about building a community that reflects the unity and diversity of the Body of Christ."

Josh Wood, Associate Pastor at First Fernandina, emphasizes the crucial role of local church partnerships in this endeavor, "Local church partnerships are the backbone of successful church plants.” He asserts, “Established churches can offer facilities, financial assistance, and a network of relationships essential for outreach and community engagement. In return, church plants infuse fresh vision, energy, and innovation into their partner churches, fostering growth and revitalization. This symbiotic relationship not only benefits individual churches but also strengthens the Christian community as a whole.”

The North American Mission Board (NAMB) upholds a rigorous process for vetting and training church planters, yet the heart of the mission lies in the hands of churches. These churches are envisioned not only as launchpads for new ministries but as wellsprings of contextual wisdom and support. Peoples envisions leaders who can mentor planters, guiding them in nurturing congregations that reflect the unique cultural and social tapestry of their areas.  

This approach is echoed by Daniel Chung, a church planter with experience in Chicago. "Connecting to a community of churches was vital to the health of our church plant," Chung reflects. In Chicago, joining forces with other churches enhanced the impact of their missional projects. An established church provided a space for worship rent-free, and pastors from other congregations offered mentorship. This kind of support was invaluable in establishing a robust eldership board and securing necessary resources.

The synergy between a sending church and a church plant is crucial. “Sometimes sending churches are not necessarily in the region where planters plant a church. While this is ‘okay,’ it’s not the ideal scenario,” Peoples explains. The ideal involves close-knit support from nearby churches, which can fortify the plant with resources, counsel, and a shared sense of mission.

The potential for established churches to foster a residency program is revolutionary, serving as a crucible for future leaders. Such programs are more than just training grounds; they are incubators for visionaries emboldened by the Gospel’s transformative power.

As Chung contemplates planting in Nassau County, he envisions a similar pattern of partnership, hoping to collaborate in local outreaches and joint prayer initiatives for the churches and the county. "This synergy could spark the multiplying effect of His kingdom as churches help plant churches," he envisages.

The wisdom in this approach is echoed by Chris Reinolds, a Mission Strategist with the Northeast Florida Family of Churches. Reinolds offers a sobering look at the numbers, indicating a decrease in weekly worship engagement in SBC churches in the region. The decline from 5600 to 4200 in average weekly worship attendance over the past ten years, among our family of churches, signifies a wake-up call for churches to innovate and embark on new movements to reach the unreached. “We are in need of new congregational expressions and missional movements to engage the influx of new residents.” Reinolds adds that, “By 2032, the light from our family of churches is likely to see two-hundred and sixty thousand people, in our region alone—an increase of roughly thirty thousand people over a ten year period.”  

Carr further emphasizes the importance of partnership in pastoral care. "The burnout rate for planters is high, and support from legacy churches can be a lifeline. Offering a sabbatical, conference invites, or even pulpit fill can make a significant difference in the life and ministry of a church planter," he shares.

This isn’t about outsourcing the mission; it’s about owning it. The partnership with NAMB/Send Network Florida isn’t a convenience—it’s a collaboration. Reinolds challenges churches to move beyond budget line items, passively supporting engagement through monetary contribution and into active, heartfelt commitment. The church, as the Body of Christ, is interdependent, and each part must function in concert with the whole for growth and effective outreach. Reinolds’ dream for their region, “If one-fourth of our churches determined to partner together in four sets of three, regardless of size culture, to support a new work in our region through planting or revisioning over a three-year period, over the course of twelve years, there would be close to 32 new or revisioned congregational expression by 2040.  If we hope to impact lostness in our region, it won’t suffice for a single church to increase its footprint; we must increase the number of feet.”

The Send Network’s strategic priorities stand as pillars for this collaborative effort. By solidifying relationships with churches, associations, and the Florida Baptist Convention, they aim to ensure that church restarts and new ventures have the communal strength to thrive. Helping churches to plant other churches fosters a self-sustaining cycle of growth. Developing leadership pipelines secures the future, equipping a new generation with the tools and knowledge to continue the work.

In practical terms, this means local churches becoming nexus points for growth, sharing their expertise, and opening doors for shared experiences. Churches in affluent areas are encouraged to partner with those in less fortunate neighborhoods, embodying the principle of ‘to whom much is given, much will be required.’ This creates a holistic ministry approach that extends beyond Sunday sermons to societal impact