Why here?
When a church is planted God is glorified. Our prayer and motive in church planting is soli deo gloria: for the glory of God alone. Christ alone builds his church. Here are ten ways the Lord Jesus Christ is glorified through this magnalia dei (wondrous work of God):
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God provides shepherds for His people. “I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.” (Jer. 3:15) This area is projected to be among the fastest-growing regions in Colorado until 2040. God will draw His people together from this developing area and He will feed them from His Word through His appointed shepherds.
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Christ’s kingdom is coming. “I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Mat 16:18) There are those for whom Christ died still trapped inside the gates of hell, right here where God has planted us. The gates of hell will not prevail against His church, even in this area.
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God will be praised. “The earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.” (Isa 11:9) If we do not worship God in the way that pleases Him, He can make even the rocks to cry out His praise. Church plants exist because sufficient worship among these people does not.
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This is what healthy churches do. “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.” (Mat 28:19) God has always commanded His covenant people to be fruitful and multiply. The church is the means God chose to prepare His Bride for Him. Healthy churches plant other biblical churches that will join in exalting Christ until He returns.
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Green pastures are scarce. “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures.” (Ps. 23:1-2) Christ’s true sheep know His voice and follow Him. Only God’s Word can nourish the believer’s soul. Is there a surplus of Christ-exalting churches that approach Him with reverence, covenant with one another in a way that pleases Him, and feast together on His Word through faith in Christ?
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Discipleship belongs to the local church. “Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.” (Col 1:28) Churches make disciples, not para-church ministries or self-fashioned side-groups. Followers of Christ mature through the church’s ministry of His Word.
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“Like Boaz without Ruth is unity without truth.” -Shai Linne “Follow the pattern of the sound words.” (2 Tim 1:13) The church is only healthy when we are feasting together upon biblical doctrine applied to life in Christ. Robert M'Cheyne called doctrine “the key that unlocks the treasures of scripture.” Unity deepens with shared belief.
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Evangelism. Christ sends His servants out to gather all whom they can find so His wedding feast will be full. (Mat 22:10) Paul charged Timothy to do the work of an evangelist. Church planting is a strategic way through which the gospel of Jesus is proclaimed, the lost are called, believers grow as disciples, and His kingdom comes on earth.
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Love flows outwardly. “Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples.” (John 13:34-35) When believers are sent by a biblical church to covenant together on mission, it is a testimony to the world of God’s self-giving love. A church plant extends God’s family to those He calls into it.
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Not a new church. “Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls." (Jer 6:16) God has one church, one bride, one temple ... His people. Rather than seeking to be innovative or start something new, we seek to walk faithfully as a covenanting biblical community, following the path of the reformers, the Puritans, and the great cloud of witnesses who are united to Christ from all generations.
(The above has been our conviction and prayer all along, written in March 15, 2021)
By God's grace we were planted on August 14th, 2022 by our 'sending church,' Calvary Redeeming Grace Church of Lakewood, CO. We thank God for this dear congregation's example, prayers, friendship, care, generosity, and blessing in this glorious endeavor.