Learning Congregational Multiplication by Osmosis, Doing, and Mobilizing
Part One: Grassroots Strategies for Congregational Multiplication
Learning Congregational Multiplication by Osmosis, Doing, and Mobilizing
Congregational multiplication is one of many strategies that works best at the grassroots. Local ministry leaders called by God have primary knowledge of and spiritual passion for their context.
With spiritual inspiration, a plan that is strategic, available finances, and exceptional coaching, more congregational multiplication can take place through grassroots leadership. Much more than can ever be created by regional and national efforts.
It is the difference between an organizational plan and the movement of a family of congregations united for mission.
Regional and national denominational organizations have important roles in inspiration, strategy, resourcing, and coaching. However, seldom should they be in the lead role. When they are, it represents a misunderstanding of their role.
In the long term, twice as many new congregations can be launched by local leadership than by outside leadership.
Here are some insights into my lifelong journey where I developed this conviction and a bias in favor of grassroots missional movements.
Learning by Osmosis
For the first 18 years of my life, my understanding of congregational multiplication as a grassroots effort happened by osmosis.
I was born into the home of church planters who helped launch a new congregation north of Raleigh, NC. My father served as pastor.
A few years later, my father, who was then a pastor in Baltimore, MD, led his church to launch two new congregations. He was also on the national missions board for our denomination. This involved him in empowering grassroots congregational multiplication in the states north of Maryland.
When I was 15, we moved to Philadelphia to multiply Southern Baptist congregations in southeastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey. When we arrived, there were already seven congregations in the area. When my parents moved to another ministry role seven years later there were 29 congregations.
I learned about congregational multiplication at the breakfast, lunch, and supper table. Also, in trips and meetings which involved my father coaching congregational multiplication situations.
Congregational multiplication was a natural part of our “family-speak”.
Learning by Doing
The summer between my junior and senior year of college I learned congregational multiplication by doing. My father said if I was coming home to Philadelphia for the summer, he wanted me to launch a new congregation.
Two launching congregations were ready. A core group was gathered. A location to meet was obtained. But no one was available to fill the role of pastor.
I fulfilled the pastoral role for the summer. We met in a school. Conducted community events. Networked to expand the core group. Used two college students who came to the area for the summer to do missions work. Tripled the attendance.
Learning by Mobilizing
For a few years in my 20s, I worked on a local denominational staff in a mid-size metropolitan area. We launched several congregations each year. It was there I refined a launching model.
This model involved at least three congregations—coached by the local denominational organization—launching a new congregation. In two situations I was the pastor for the first six months while we sought a pastor.
We learned some new things and reaffirmed some old things we already knew about launching congregations.
The lead congregation must have the multiplication gene. They must believe in launching new congregations strategically situated geographically or culturally. They yearn to reach, preChristians, unchurched, underchurched, and dechurched people.
They know what it will take to experience a successful and significant new congregation launch. They willing make the sacrifices necessary.
The other two congregations serve in roles to broaden the base of support. These congregations are interested in congregational multiplication. They need an experience with a lead congregation before they were ready to take the lead.
At least one of these supporting congregations will likely take the lead role with two other congregations within a few years. This expands the number of experienced launching congregations.
They recruit at least two supporting congregations which means an increasing number of congregations became involved in congregational multiplication.
Copyright 2025 by George W. Bullard Jr. January 30, 2025 Edition
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I didn’t know your experience started so early! What a learning environment you were in.