Church Planting by Division

Definition and Meaning

The Korean term bullip (分立) means "to divide and establish." It refers to an existing church (commonly called the "mother church") sending out a portion of its members, a minister, and the funds needed for planting in order to establish a new, independent church. Unlike a church plant begun by a pastor alone, such a church has members and support from the outset. The new church does not remain a satellite campus or branch of the mother church but becomes a separate church. It is also distinct from a "church split," in which a congregation divides after conflict.

Biblical and Historical Background

Those who emphasize planting by division point to the example of the early church. According to the Acts of the Apostles, after members of the church in Jerusalem were scattered by persecution, churches arose in various places (Acts 8:1–4; 11:19–21). The church at Antioch set apart Barnabas and Saul and sent them out (Acts 13:1–3).

In Korea, from the early days of missionary work, it was common for large churches to establish places of worship in surrounding areas and develop them into independent churches. Later, criticism grew that members were concentrating in megachurches. Against this backdrop, some pastors have argued that once a church grows beyond a certain size, it should intentionally divide and send out members.

Practice in the Korean Church

The procedure for planting by division varies according to a denomination's form of church polity.

• Presbyterian: Many denominations assign the establishment, division, merger, and dissolution of churches to the authority of the presbytery. Generally, the session passes a resolution, which then goes before the congregational meeting before receiving the presbytery's approval.
• Methodist: Because the district superintendent, the district conference, and the annual conference are involved in establishing churches and appointing pastors, division also proceeds within this structure.
• Baptist and other congregationally governed denominations: These emphasize the autonomy of the local church. In principle, division takes place by decision of the congregation concerned, and denominational affiliation is determined through a separate process.

A common approach is to install an associate pastor as the senior pastor of the new church and to send along members from the congregational district that pastor had overseen or members living near the new church. The mother church may also provide support for a set period, covering the pastor's salary or the rent for the worship space.

Supporters hold that planting by division makes community-centered ministry possible, broadens member participation, and checks the trend toward ever-larger churches. Others, however, voice concerns: the daughter church may end up competing for members with nearby financially dependent churches, the mother church may continue to exert influence, and the new church may struggle to become self-supporting once support ends.