What do Math and Geography have to do with Planting Churches?

Written by Jason Aultman – Pastor of Antioch Baptist Church in Conway, AR.

It’s an exciting thing as we watch the plans come into focus and the time drawing near for the launch of Antioch Georgetown. The idea of planting another church has been a dream that has been marinating for several years, and we are so thankful that God is allowing that vision to become reality.

Some people might look at the idea of planting another church and wonder, “why?” It’s a fair question. It will require a commitment of finances, time, energy, effort, etc. It will even mean that some folks will pack up and move to Georgetown to be a part of the new church plant. Why would we do that?

I guess the answer could be summed up, in part, in two words: Mathematics and Geography. Now, I was no math or geography whiz in school. When my first grade teacher said, “You have 3 candy bars and I take away 2, how many candy bars do you have left?” I didn’t know I was learning math – I was just mad because she took my candy! And when my geography teacher said, “name the continents” I answered, “Any letter other than a-e-i-o-and-u.” Come on, you’ve got to admit that it’s easy to mix up continents and consonants.

Anyway, what do math and geography have to do with planting churches? Here’s what.

Math: We want to see more people won to Christ and following Him. Every time a new person is added to the family, that’s a victory. Luke 15 indicates that there is celebration in Heaven when a person comes to Christ, so we sure ought to join in the celebration. At our church we love it when we have additions. But as we reach out through the tool of other churches, that addition can become multiplication. As Antioch Georgetown comes into being, along with still others that we envision in the future, it creates the opportunity for exponential impact.

Geography: We love for people to come to Antioch. We’d love for every person in central Arkansas who is not involved in church to come worship with us. But it’s not rocket science to know we have some geographic limitations. People aren’t driving from 500 miles away to our services. We weren’t looking to plant a church a few miles away for the convenience of our members. We were looking to plant outside the geographic bounds that we can reach.
Jesus instructed His disciples to be about the work of making disciples both nearby and far away.

What an exciting chance it is to see Antioch Georgetown become a piece in the puzzle of fulfilling that Great Commission!