Outreach Magazine listed the top church planting churches in America. What I found so incredibly refreshing was that each of the top 5 churches were reformed. To have Tim Keller with Redeemer #1 and Mark Driscoll with Mars Hill #2 is pretty amazing considering both have helped our ministry considerably. Also, #5, Spanish River, was instrumental in planting #1, 2, and 21. David Nicholas was part of launching A29 in the very beginning and we made three trips out to Boca Raton for our initial meetings. #21, CrossPointe Church in Orlando is our dear friend Chan Kilgore who is also on the board with me for A29.

What does this say about the concern most church planting strategists have when they tell us to shy away from strong theology? I believe it shows us that without a good theology of God, the world, and the self, we really can’t call others to mission if they aren’t sure who they are or who God is. The gospel is the driving force behind church planting, not pragmatic structures disconnected from the nature, character and work of God.

Also, their theology is a particular kind of reformed theology, it is reformational not just reformed. This distinction is important. To use reformed theology as a cul-de-sac in our churches is to move against the entire point of God’s work in this world. Good reformed theology is going to be church planting, kingdom driven, multiplying, culture engaging, and grace centered or it is not good reformed theology.

Here’s the list:

1-Redeemer Presbyterian Church (New York, NY) :: Timothy Keller
other achievements include:
>> #15 on America’s 25 Most Innovative Churches of ‘07
>> #16 on 50 Most Influential Churches of ‘06
>> #26 on 50 Most Influential Churches of ‘05
2-Mars Hill Church (Seattle, WA) :: Mark Driscoll
other achievements include:
>> #9 on America’s 25 Most Innovative Churches of ‘07
>> #15 on 100 Fastest Growing U.S. Churches of ‘06
>> #22 on 50 Most Influential Churches of ‘06
>> #54 on 100 Fastest Growing U.S. Churches of ‘05
>> #23 on 50 Most Influential Churches of ‘05
3-NorthWood Church (Keller, TX) :: Bob Roberts
4-Perimeter Church (Duluth, GA) :: Randy Pope
5-Spanish River Church (Boca Raton, FL) :: David Nicholas
6-East 91st Street Christian Church (Indianapolis, IN) :: Derek Duncan
7-Community Christian Church (Naperville, IL) :: Dave Ferguson
other achievements include:
>> #7 on America’s 25 Most Innovative Churches of ‘07
>> #13 on 50 Most Influential Churches of ‘06
>> #48 on 100 Fastest Growing U.S. Churches of ‘04
8-Fellowship Bible Church (Little Rock, AR) :: Bill Wellons
other achievements include:
>> #26 on 50 Most Influential Churches of ‘06
9-Kensington Community Church (Troy, MI) :: Steve Andrews
10-Church at the Springs (Ocala, FL) :: Ron Sylvia
11-Summit Church (Bonita Springs, FL) :: Orlando Cabrera
12-Vineyard Christian Church of Evanston (Evanston, IL) :: Steve Nicholson
13-New Life Christian Church (Centreville, VA) :: Brett Andrews
14-Owensboro Christian Church (Owensboro, KY) :: Myke Templeton
15-Elmbrook Church (Brookfield, WI) :: Mel Lawrenz
other achievements include:
>> #66 on 100 Largest U.S. Churches of ‘06
16-West Ridge Church (Dallas, GA) :: Brian Bloye
other achievements include:
>> #91 on 100 Largest U.S. Churches of ‘06
>> #68 on 100 Fastest Growing U.S. Churches of ‘05
17-Journey Christian Church (Apopka, FL) :: Dan Donaldson
18-Grace Fellowship (Brooklyn Park, MN) :: Dave Reno
19-Columbia Crossroads Church (Columbia, SC) :: Jeff Shipman
20-Atlanta Vineyard Church (Norcross, GA) :: Johnny Crist
21-CrossPointe Church (Orlando, FL) :: Chan Kilgore
22-Set Free (Yucaipa, CA) :: Willie Dalgity
23-First Southwest Baptist Church (Alief, TX) :: Rickie Bradshaw
24-French Speaking Baptist Church (Brooklyn, NY) :: Jean Baptiste Thomas
other achievements include:
>> #87 on 100 Fastest Growing U.S. Churches of ‘06
25-Vineyard Church (Westerville, OH) :: Rich Nathan
other achievements include:
>> #67 on 100 Largest U.S. Churches of ‘06