Our fellowship can increase in two ways- revitalizing existing churches and starting new ones. We need both. But we especially need new churches started in almost every urban and suburban area in America.

In the last issue, Flavil Yeakley pointed out that churches of Christ increased 3.5% in membership and 3.2% in congregations during the 1980s. But the United States population increased 11.2% while our growth rate is decreasing. We don't have enough churches to reach the unchurched urban masses.

Our 3.2% increase in churches is a net figure. We are losing congregations that decline and eventually close their doors. Also, when two churches merge into one, we have lost a congregation. Death and mergers are a regular occurrence. Some new congregations are needed just to stay even land many more are needed for us -to see a 10% or 15% increase.

Newly planted churches have an excellent track record of evangelism and growth. Most congregations tend to plateau after ten to twenty years in existence. Numerous factors contribute to the shift from growth to non-growth. Churches can lose a sense of urgency about growth when they're large enough to comfortably pay the bills; when they have a hundred or more members, time and attention go toward serving the existing members; and, members can find it difficult to add one new friend to their existing network of relationships. None of these problems encumbers a new church. Their sense of urgency and inclusiveness serves them well for growth.

One of the biggest obstacles to church planting is the fear response from existing congregations. Some church leaders panic when they hear that a new congregation will locate within twenty miles of them. They imagine the huge loss of members and finances that might place their church in peril.

These fears are seldom founded. Increasingly, new church plants are targeting the unchurched and going the extra mile not to draw transfer growth. An existing church may lose a few members, but it needs to recognize the value of new churches to God's kingdom.

We salute Randy Short and all those who helped begin the North Cape Church of Christ. In his article, Randy tells how they began using "The Phone's For You!" resource. It's an inspiring story of a new church reaching out to the unchurched. And it's the kind of story that needs repeating hundreds of times as we plant more churches of Christ.

Leslie Chapman has invested a large amount of time studying church mergers. He addresses the other side of the coin from church planting. Merging is not all bad. There is a time when a merger is the best thing to do. Leslie provides a good balance on the issues.

The remaining articles cover items relevant to a new or existing congregation. The roles of the preacher, small groups, and equipping members are vital components of healthy, growing churches.