Deeply Rooted Multiplication
by Ron Hamilton, Conference Minister
Two hundred years ago, on Saturday, May 6, 1815, the Rev. John Spencer rode from “the Rapids” (Jamestown) to meet with a small group of six people gathered in a log school house on the Russell farm bordering Stillwater Creek in the town of what is now Kiantone. The next Sunday, May 7, the Rev. Spencer administered Holy Communion and three more people joined.
In 1830, the present church building still in use today was constructed. The building, modeled after the mother church in the Mendon/Milford area of Massachusetts, is in the typical, plain New England style.
The words are taken from the history book prepared for the 200th anniversary celebration of the CCCC church in Kiantone, New York, the Kiantone Congregational Church. I had the privilege of sharing in this celebration and was encouraged that a vital church ministry still is carrying on under the leadership of Pastor Mel McGinnis and a team of capable and devoted leaders. Praise the Lord!
My participation in this anniversary celebration reminded me that church planting is deeply rooted in our Congregational history. Our forefathers were driven by a strong passion for the Gospel and were used to start new churches across our nation. Pastor John Spencer was the church planting pastor of fourteen churches.
Church multiplication is deeply rooted in Scripture. It is said that the three missionary journeys of the Apostle Paul could appropriately be called Paul’s three church planting missions. The book of Acts records the fact that people heard the Gospel and responded. In a short time, after training and development, church leaders were appointed and pastors were sent. The Gospel spread rapidly in the First Century through the multiplication of churches.
I am pleased that the Conservative Congregational Christian Conference values healthy church multiplication. In doing so we confess that new churches are a necessary part of our efforts of evangelism to reach a lost and needy world.
“We are aware of the need for new churches throughout the world. But 70 percent of people in the United States have no meaningful church relationship. The harvest fields surround us. Many people will not be reached without new churches.” (Bob Logan)
Under the leadership of our Rob O’Neal, Director of Church Multiplication, the Church Multiplication Committee, and many faithful people working in our regional hubs, our church multiplication ministry is moving forward. Please join me in praying for our new churches and their planting pastors. Also join me in trusting God for the resources to support this movement and the continued courage to prioritize church planting in the CCCC. God is at work and we are called to join Him in this work.
