General - Written by Pastor David on Sunday, July 8, 2007 7:03 - 9 Comments

Top 25 Church Planting Churches in America

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

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9 Comments

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Kevin Jamison
Jul 8, 2007 11:37

David-

Why are you hesitant to include Perimeter as reformed? I thought they were a part of the PCA. One of our supporting churches is a PCA church that was planted out of Perimeter.

Just curious.

Great observations by the way.

Pastor David
Jul 8, 2007 13:52

Good word man. I wasn’t sure but thought they were reformed. I’m going to change this to 5 out of 5!!! Woot woot. It more effectively makes my point anyway, so thanks for the information.

Kevin Jamison
Jul 9, 2007 7:52

It absolutely makes your point.

I think your point is even furthered when you look at the few number of rerformed churches ranked from 5 – 26. They aren’t just reformed…

“Good reformed theology is going to be church planting, kingdom driven, multiplying, culture engaging, and grace centered or it is not good reformed theology”

I couldn’t agree more.

Interesting Links, and Articles | www.thedesocios.com
Jul 9, 2007 20:30

[...] David Fairchild talks about the Top 25 Church planting churches [...]

Reformed Theology and Church Planting « The Gospel Conversation
Jul 10, 2007 13:10

[...] Reformed Theology and Church Planting Posted July 10, 2007 David Fairchild points out that the top 5 church planting churches in America at the moment are reformed in their theology. His post is worth a read. [...]

Quick Hits :: 07.11.07 « Provocations & Pantings
Jul 11, 2007 3:16

[...] * In response to Outreach Magazine’s Top Multiplying Churches list, David Fairchild comments about Reformed churches topping the list, noting, “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.” (HT: David Wayne) [...]

Bryce’s Blog
Jul 23, 2007 21:52

[...] Category: General — Bryce @ 11:52 pm “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.”–David Fairchild « Constructing a Philosophy of Ministry –  [...]

Quick Quote » Quick Hits :: 07.11.07
Jul 30, 2007 23:47

[...] * In response to Outreach Magazine’s Top Multiplying Churches list, David Fairchild comments about Reformed churches topping the list, noting, “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.” (HT: David Wayne) [...]

The Daily Burns - Ryan and Jennifer Burns » Blog Archive » On “Chuch Shopping”
Jan 3, 2008 7:08

[...] So, now here we are in Florida without a church to call home. That said, I think we might have found our home already. The church is called Cross Pointe and I had the opportunity to visit last Sunday. While it was only one visit, I must say I felt a connection. I had found out about the church through the Acts 29 Network which is a church planting network that I’ve been following for a while (thanks for my friend Robert Greene at Redemption Hill). The thing I like most about Acts 29 is that their churches are very reformed and missional. So, when moving to FL I decided to see if they had a church in the area. Not only did I find that they had a church here, but Cross Pointe Church is one of the top 25 church planting churches in the nation. That is cool because one of my life dreams is to be a part of planting churches. So, seems like a good place to be. [...]

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