Surprisingly few have asked me this question, although it is one I have asked myself repeatedly, mostly in order to make sure I know the answer and that it is a good one. In fact, the answer is very simple and also very sound. New churches tend to reach new people. It is not that older churches cannot or do not reach new people, but new churches have been shown to be the best way to reach new people in many contexts around the world. Of course, not all new churches succeed in reaching their communities, and some do not even survive. However, enough survive and thrive that it continues to be worth the effort. Indeed, 100% of the churches that exist today were once new churches. I am thankful that someone made the effort to start them and am grateful to have the privilege of participating in the start of another one.

For a more thorough answer (but not too long), here is an excellent article by Tim Keller, who has planted churches and encouraged their planting around the world.

Some people have asked, “Where is your church?”  Although we are just getting started with a small group of people meeting in our home in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, the participants come from as far away as Plantation and Boca Raton.  The distances present a challenge, since we want to develop Christian community, not merely a venue for spectators.  Therefore, we need a place that will be easily accessible from many points around Broward and Palm Beach Counties.

Also, we want to have a presence near the beach, because the beach draws people from around the county and around the world, and there are almost no evangelical churches there.  As all know, property near the beach is limited and expensive, and many of the possibly suitable spots have told us that they do not want to rent to a church (which confirms to us that it is probably a good idea!).  Thus, we are looking for a meeting place east of the Intracoastal or at least east of US 1.

So, where will our church meet?  It will meet in that special place that God has for us that is accessible to people from all over the area, that is near South Florida’s chief attraction, and that is new territory for the gospel.  That’s where.

Sabiendo que pasamos muchos años en México, algunos están pregunándome si nuestra nueva iglesia va a utilizar inglés, español o los dos.  La idea es ser una comunidad multicultural de acuerdo a la demografía del Sur de Florida, y nos da mucho gusto tener un buen número de hispanohablantes entre los que están reuniéndose en nuestra casa los domingos en la tarde.  Estamos usando inglés en las reuniones, porque es el idioma en común, pero algunos conversan en español.  Eventualmente podríamos tener actividades exclusivamente en español según la necesidad.  Además, hay otras culturas e idiomas en el sur de Florida – de Suramérica, del Caribe, de Canadá – y esperamos que algún día estén representados en nuestra iglesia.  Por lo pronto, hablamos español e inglés.