In The American Church in Crisis, Christian researcher David Olson talks about the difference between Reptilian and Mammalian approaches to church planting.

In this book Olson states that “48,000 viable churches will need to be planted each year just to keep up with population growth.” What is the best strategy to plant these churches?

Church planting blog Plant the Gospel had this to say…

Reptilian church planting reproduces by procreating a large quantity of smaller churches of which only a few survive.  Alligators here in Florida are an example of this.  They build a nest and lay some 20-50 eggs.  Out of this number only half actually hatch and several of the hatchlings are eaten by birds of prey and other predators.  A reptilian approach to new church development does help perpetuate a species but often leaves in its path the wreckage of brokenness and disillusioned pastors.  The attitude in reptilian schools of thinking is “God is with you, go for it!” In the major denominational families, Baptists and Pentecostals most frequently embody this approach.

Mammalian church planting reproduces by procreating a smaller quantity of churches which we receive large amounts of nurture and support.  Mammals personally raise their young and provide much-needed nutrition and care (i.e. systems of assessment, training, coaching, and funding) thus ensuring a greater survival rate in their offspring.  Most mainline denominations tend to approach church planting this way.  While there are pros and cons to both approaches, the key ingredient to the survival of a species (i.e. denomination or movement) is whether or not it is able to continue reproducing “after its kind” in response to a crisis or change in its environment.

Read more about First Baptist West Palm Beach and our church planting network called SendSFL.