Frequently Asked Questions

Why would the Massachusetts Conference start new churches?

Some have the false impression that in Massachusetts we have a UCC church on every street corner and that the mission field is covered.  In fact, there are new and emerging populations that our existing churches have not or can not reach.  The Church Development Task Force has developed a list of 12 “Hot Spots” that are potential new church sites.  This is to fulfill the Great Commission to go and make disciples.

But shouldn't the Conference put its energy into the over 400 churches it already has?

The reality is that most of the Conference staff’s time and resources do go to our existing congregations as our Conference vision is “to nurture the vitality of local churches and the covenant amongst the churches”.  Please view the MACUCC web site for innumerable resources for a variety of church life issues.  So the strategy is a both/and: to nurture our existing churches and to reach out to new populations with new church starts.

If my church gets involved in a new church start won’t it take away from our own congregation?

That statement is a myth.  Long-standing churches that get involved in a new church start get re-energized for their own ministry and mission and they grow right along with the new church start.  

What does it cost to start a new church?

It is expensive to start a new congregation, as the cost is often $150,000 or more to bring in a new church start pastor who will begin to gather a congregation.   Our new church starts are often funded by a host of existing congregations with some Conference or National funds helping out as well.  Increasingly across the country, long-standing congregations are starting new churches or beginning a new ministry to reach a population.

Is it worth it?

New church starts are a faith question. If we have a burning passion to live out the gospel and share the Good News, then the effort is more than

worthwhile.