It is a present-day reality that many newly planted churches struggle to grow. Some of them barely survive beyond two to three years before they close down. This unfortunate trend is not accidental—it is the result of several underlying spiritual, structural, and administrative factors. Let us examine these one by one from a biblical and church-based perspective:
1. PRAYERLESSNESS AND INSUFFICIENT INTERCESSION
Church planting is not a casual undertaking—it is a spiritual assignment that demands consistent and fervent prayer. Without prayer, the church becomes weak and vulnerable to spiritual attacks and stagnation. There are three critical stages of prayer needed for a church to grow:
- Pre-planting Prayer: This involves deep intercession and seeking the face of God before launching the church. It includes praying for the location, the people, the timing, and divine backing.
- Prayer During Planting: While the church is being birthed, the planting team must continue in daily, sacrificial prayer. The spiritual atmosphere must be saturated for the move of God to manifest.
- Post-planting Prayer: After the church has started, prayer must not stop. Ongoing intercession for souls, discipleship, the leadership, and the territory is what sustains growth.
“Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it…” – Psalm 127:1
2. INADEQUATE PLANNING FOR THE PLANTING
Many churches are planted in haste, without proper spiritual and administrative planning. This causes avoidable hardship and hinders healthy growth. Church planting must be approached like a divine mission that requires strategic planning, vision casting, budgeting, and team development.
“For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost…” – Luke 14:28
3. THE WRONG SHEPHERD (PASTOR)
A newly planted church rises or falls largely on the shoulders of the pioneering pastor. When the wrong person is sent or assumes the role, the church will struggle. Here are examples of wrong pastors for new church plants:
- A part-time pastor who doesn’t give adequate time to the flock.
- A pastor who lacks evangelistic zeal.
- An inexperienced or untrained pastor.
- A pastor who is ignorant of church planting principles.
- A secret sinner, living in hidden compromise.
- A prayerless pastor.
- A pastor who is sick—physically, mentally, or spiritually.
- A visionless or purposeless pastor.
- A pastor whose family burdens exceed his income, creating pressure.
- A passionless pastor, lacking genuine love for souls.
“Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture!” – Jeremiah 23:1
4. PLANTING IN A SPIRITUALLY WRONG LOCATION
Some churches are planted on spiritually unproductive or cursed lands—places with long-standing demonic oppression, bloodshed, or ancestral covenants. Some locations have become graveyards for ministries. Others function in houses infested by demonic influences. These issues must be spiritually discerned and dealt with through prayer, deliverance, and prophetic cleansing.
“Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you…” – Joshua 1:3
5. WRONG TIMING
Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 reminds us that there is a time and season for every purpose under heaven, including church planting. When God’s timing is ignored, the ground may not be ready, and laboring becomes toilsome.
“To everything there is a season…” – Ecclesiastes 3:1
6. DEMONIC OPPOSITION
Jesus said, “I will build My church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). That means the gates of hell will surely resist the planting and growth of churches. It takes ongoing spiritual warfare, fasting, and decrees of authority to overcome demonic resistance in new territories.
Recommended Reading
Characteristics Of Effective Church Planters
THE POWER OF REJOICING
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Christian Journey:Purpose Of Trials
7. WRONG OR OUTDATED STRATEGIES
Using outdated or ineffective methods can hinder a new church from reaching its community. Church planting strategies must be Spirit-led and relevant. Techniques that worked in the past may not fit current realities. Soul-winning, follow-up, community outreach, and discipleship methods must be revisited and sharpened.
“If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength…” – Ecclesiastes 10:10
8. LACK OF STRUCTURED PLANNING
Where there is no plan, there will be no growth. A lack of church structure, administrative planning, leadership development, or financial systems will lead to confusion and stagnation.
“Let all things be done decently and in order.” – 1 Corinthians 14:40
9. LACK OF COMMUNITY AND SPIRITUAL RESEARCH
Many planters fail to spiritually discern and physically understand the community where the church is planted. It is vital to know the dominant spirits, religious background, socio-economic condition, and felt needs of the people. Such insight will inform how to pray, reach, and disciple effectively.
“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge…” – Hosea 4:6
10. CHURCH PLANTING AS AN AMBITION, NOT A DIVINE VISION
Some churches are planted out of personal ambition, competition, or carnal motives—not by divine instruction. When ambition drives the vision, frustration and failure soon follow.
“Where there is no vision, the people perish…” – Proverbs 29:18
11. LACK OF PROVISION FOR THE VISION
A vision without divine provision will struggle. Sometimes, God withholds provision to test faith, but in many cases, the enemy strategically hinders provision for divine assignments. Kingdom assignments need financial and material support to thrive.
“The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.” – Psalm 23:1
12. IGNORANCE OF CHURCH GROWTH PRINCIPLES
Spiritual zeal is not enough. A planter must understand biblical church growth principles like discipleship, leadership development, cell systems, evangelism, and assimilation. Without these, the church may remain stagnant despite spiritual passion.
13. LACK OF MONITORING AND MENTORING
New churches need apostolic oversight and spiritual parenting. Without mentoring and periodic evaluation, early mistakes go uncorrected. Fathers in the faith must watch over and support new works.
“For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers…” – 1 Corinthians 4:15
14. POOR CHURCH ADMINISTRATION
Every church, no matter how spiritual, also functions as an organization. Proper administration—financial accountability, record-keeping, communication, volunteer coordination—helps avoid confusion and inspires trust in members.
15. WEAK COMMUNITY RELATIONSHIPS
A church that isolates itself from the host community will not thrive. New churches must make efforts to serve, connect with, and be relevant to the community. Outreach, compassion ministries, social engagement, and community service open doors for evangelism.
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works…” – Matthew 5:16
CONCLUSION
Church planting is both a spiritual warfare and a divine assignment. Growth does not happen by accident—it is the result of intentional obedience to God’s principles, prayer, wisdom, and leadership. Any church planter or ministry leader must take these 15 areas seriously and prayerfully commit to overcoming each challenge with God’s help.