NOTE: A significant ministry initiative planned for Crestview in 2025 is the replanting of McIntosh Baptist Church. Over three weeks, I am devoting this weekly article to answer questions related to this initiative:
Part 1: Replanting: Why? Why is this a worthy effort?
Part 2: Replanting: How? How will McIntosh be rebirthed?
Today: Replanting: Who? From where will the members of this new church come?
The final question in this series is this: From where will the members of the new McIntosh Baptist Church come? Should you consider being part of this new work?
The aim in this effort is for Crestview, our sister FRBA churches, and other interested churches to send members to join the new church. I am praying for three to five Crestview families to commit to this new work. Once McIntosh is established and functioning, the hope is for the Lord to add to the church as the members carry out the church’s biblical purposes. Initially, though, the plant team should be comprised of healthy, mature believers from sister churches. However, joining the replant team will not be for everyone, so keep reading to see if this may be right for you.
As I wrote in last week’s article, a church is formed when believers intentionally covenant together before the Lord to practice what he reveals his church to be. They promise to rightly practice the ordinances and truly proclaim God’s word. They promise to love and encourage one another’s discipleship. Together, then, they carry out the Lord’s purposes for his church: worship, fellowship, evangelism, disciple-making, and mission.
Six questions to help you consider joining the plant team for McIntosh:
1.Are you already actively involved with Crestview?
The members of the plant team for McIntosh should be composed of those who are already committed and involved in their church. Though there will be some differences, the ministry philosophy and schedule of the new church will be similar to Crestview’s. If you struggle with active involvement with Crestview, then joining McIntosh is not for you.
2. Do you understand and appreciate Crestview’s beliefs and philosophy of ministry?
McIntosh will share the same statement of faith as Crestview: Baptist Faith and Message 2000. Crestview shares most all the distinctives of McIntosh’s ministry philosophy. If you struggle with Crestview’s beliefs and philosophy of ministry, then joining McIntosh is not for you.
3. Does being part of a smaller church with an abundance of service opportunities sound exciting?
I am praying for at least fifty members to comprise the plant team (not all from Crestview). McIntosh may be a quarter of the size of Crestview when it launches this September. Those on the plant team will need to step up and serve in a variety of ways, from loving fellow members to assisting with services to cleaning toilets and mowing the lawn. Do you foresee your family thriving in such an arrangement? If you foresee struggling in a church smaller than Crestview with rudimentary service needs, then joining McIntosh is not for you.
4. Are you already a joyful, faithful giver?
As Crestview does, McIntosh will depend on the faithful, joyful giving of its members. Those who join the plant team should enthusiastically support the work financially. If you currently struggle to support Crestview financially, then joining McIntosh is not for you.
5. Can you envision sitting under Daniel Sanderson’s preaching and leadership?
This Sunday, Jan 26, you will have the opportunity to hear Daniel Sanderson preach with Crestview. Between now and September, he will host a variety of information sessions and invest time with the prospective plant team. Those who are considering joining should invest time in getting to know Daniel by participating in these gatherings. If you foresee yourself struggling under Daniel’s preaching and leadership, then joining McIntosh is not for you. To learn more about Daniel and the replanting meetings, check out: McIntosh Replant Site
6. Have you discussed your potential interest with your current pastor and Daniel Sanderson?
If you are considering joining the McIntosh replant, Crestview members should discuss this with me sooner rather than later. I welcome the opportunity to prayerfully consider this decision together. Crestview’s elders and church hope to commission several families to join the work. You should also make your interest known to Daniel. If, over the coming months, you find yourself answering six questions in the affirmative, then the Spirit may be guiding you to become part of the McIntosh replant.
As you can see, joining the McIntosh replant is a high call. It is for those who desire to be local “missionaries” endeavoring to establish a new healthy church. Those who wish to join will, in time, be affirmed by Daniel and the elders of the new McIntosh church and commissioned by Crestview, or their current church, for this mission.
Undoubtedly, the vast majority of Crestview members will remain in our church. For those staying at Crestview, how can you encourage the replant of McIntosh?
PRAY for the Lord to bless the replanting of McIntosh Baptist Church.
SEND out members well. Encourage them as they prepare to depart in the coming months and look to fill the holes they leave behind in our church family.
GIVE to Crestview. Our 2025 ministry budget includes monthly support for the McIntosh replant. As you support Crestview, you are enabling us to undergird this new work together.
SERVE as needs arise. There will be opportunities to serve by aiding in tangible ways, such as work projects around the McIntosh church campus.
Join me in praying for several families from Crestview and from sister churches in the region to join this new work. Though most of us will remain with Crestview, there are valuable ways we can all support the replanting of the new McIntosh Baptist Church. May our Lord strengthen Crestview, and may his kingdom come and will be done in Griffin and Spalding as it is in heaven.
For His Glory,
Pastor Thomas