“When I was a boy of 14, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be 21, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years" - attributed to Mark Twain.
There can often be something of the restless teenager in the heart of a church planter - eager to step out, carve their own path, and move beyond the familiar embrace of the mother church. Yet, as Twain’s reflection suggests, experience often proves more valuable than we initially assume. The mother church, far from being outdated, will hold wisdom that should not be so hastily dismissed.
Just as in family life, the transition from dependence to independence comes with challenges. It can bring tension, misunderstandings, and sometimes conflict. The relationship between a parent church and a church plant must be handled with similar care, wisdom, and generosity to ensure both a healthy beginning and a strong future.
