Len Tang never planned to become a church planter. As a freshman at Berkeley, he arrived on campus as an agnostic leaning towards atheism. But through the bold witness of several Christian groups, Len found himself drawn to Christ. Little did he know that this conversion experience would set him on a path to becoming a leader in the church planting movement.
“Evangelism plus entrepreneurship equals church planting for many,” Len explains, reflecting on how others saw his potential early on. This unique combination of skills and passions led Len to plant two churches and now serve as the director of the Fuller Church Planting Initiative.
In a recent episode of the Pivot Podcast, Len shared his wealth of experience and insights on the changing landscape of church planting. Here are the key takeaways for church leaders looking to navigate this new frontier:
Embrace the Diversity of Church Planting Models
Gone are the days of the one-size-fits-all approach to church planting. Len emphasizes that the diversification of church planting models is one of the most significant changes in recent years.
There are several models of church planting, including:
- Micro church movement: Len describes this as possibly “the fastest growing segment in the church planting world,” where the intention is not to have a full-time pastor but to empower lay people to reach their micro-culture.
- Bivocational/co-vocational planting: An approach where planters have another job alongside their church planting work.
- Launch large model: This is when a launch team of 30-60 people commits to serving, funding, and spreading the word about a new congregation.
- Parachute plants: Churches that are planted by other churches.
Each model (and its variations) can be deployed effectively, depending on the needs of the community and the church planter’s vocational discernment. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to starting new Christian communities. If you’re called to create something new, Len suggests staying open to new forms of church that might look very different from traditional models.
Reframe Church Planting as “R&D” for the Church
Len views church planting as the research and development wing of the church. “We sort of outsource risk to church plants,” he says. “And we learn from them by watching the way they find the intersection between gospel and culture in a particular context.”
This perspective can help established churches see the value in supporting new plants, even if it feels risky. By viewing church plants as laboratories for innovation, established churches can gain insights into reaching new demographics and addressing current cultural challenges.
Even established churches can adopt an R&D mindset. Len suggests “practicing small missional experiments” by identifying entrepreneurial people in the congregation and giving them “some encouragement and training and maybe even a little funding to try things that might not work.”
Consider Co-Vocational Ministry
The rise of bi-vocational and co-vocational ministry is another trend Len highlights. Rather than seeing this as a step backward, Len encourages leaders to view it as an opportunity for mission.
“Whenever possible, I prefer the term that Brad Briscoe came up with, which is co-vocational, to think of two parts of one calling,” Len shares. This approach can not only address financial challenges but also provide natural opportunities for community engagement and evangelism.
Len points out that this trend is gaining significant traction. The North American Mission Board, the largest church planting network in the country, set a goal several years ago for half of their planters to be bi-vocational. This shift represents a major change in how we conceive of pastoral ministry and church leadership.
Co-vocational ministry can take many forms. Len shares the example of a church planter who started a barbecue restaurant that doubles as a gathering space for the church. This innovative approach not only provides financial sustainability but also creates natural opportunities for community engagement and relationship-building throughout the week.
For church leaders, this might mean rethinking traditional ministry roles and being open to creative arrangements that allow for both ministry and marketplace engagement. It’s about seeing every aspect of life as an opportunity for mission and leveraging diverse skills and experiences for the sake of the gospel.
Expand Your Funding Toolkit
When it comes to funding new church plants, Len advises thinking outside the box. “We need to really expand our boxes about that,” he says. Some creative approaches he suggests include:
- Seeking missionary support
- Starting nonprofits alongside churches to access grants and government funding
- Repurposing church buildings for missional purposes
- Exploring partnerships to build affordable housing on church property
The key is to think creatively about multiple funding streams that can support the mission while also meeting community needs.
Len emphasizes the importance of context-specific approaches to funding. The traditional church planting model of denominations providing funding for 3-5 years and then expecting self-sufficiency may not work in all situations, especially in under-resourced communities. Instead, he encourages church planters and their supporters to think long-term and consider ongoing missionary support where necessary.
One intriguing idea Len mentions is the concept of “turnkey business opportunities” for church planters. He envisions denominations and networks working together to identify and develop business models that have been proven successful in multiple cities. These ready-to-go businesses could provide both income for planters and natural connections to the community.
This expanded toolkit requires church leaders to think more like entrepreneurs, looking for creative ways to generate resources while simultaneously serving their communities. It’s about creating sustainable models that allow for long-term ministry impact.
Lead with Mission, Not Just Theology
As denominations consider their role in church planting, Len suggests a shift in emphasis. “I think it’s more important to lead with mission first and theology second,” he advises. This doesn’t mean abandoning theological distinctives, but rather framing them within the context of a compelling missional vision.
For denominational leaders, this might mean rethinking how they attract and support church planters, focusing on the mission they’re inviting planters into rather than just theological alignment.
Len observes that many denominations tend to lead with their theological distinctives, saying, “If you believe this, you should come with us.” While he acknowledges the importance of theological differences, he suggests a more effective approach: “This is the kind of church that we believe Jesus has for this world, do you want to be part of that?”
A mission-first approach can help denominations stay attractive to a new generation of church planters. It also aligns with the changing religious landscape, where people are often more interested in the practical impact of faith than in theological minutiae.
Moreover, leading with mission can help denominations address the diversification of American society. In 20 years, he says, there will be no majority ethnicity in the United States. Such a profound demographic shift requires denominations to proactively elevate people of color in leadership roles, ensuring that when potential planters “come into your doors, they see people that look like them as coaches, as planters, as leaders, as sending churches.”
By prioritizing mission and actively working towards diversity, denominations can position themselves to play a vital role in the future of church planting, rather than serving “a smaller and smaller pie in the American religious landscape.”
Hope for the Future
The landscape of church planting is undoubtedly changing, but Len’s insights offer hope and direction for navigating this new frontier. As Len reminds us, “The minute we start thinking our survival is the main priority, we have already lost.”
Instead, let’s courageously step into the future God is calling us to, trusting that as we plant and water, God will bring the harvest.
