They tried to plant churches, then opposition hit

Jesus didn’t sugarcoat it. “In this world you will have trouble” (John 16:33) He told his disciples and, by extension, us.

It’s a sobering promise, perhaps not the kind of promise we’re particularly keen on! It's especially sobering for those launching new gospel works in unfamiliar or even hostile territory. But He didn’t stop there: “Take heart; I have overcome the world.”

For church planters, this tension - expecting trouble while clinging to hope - isn’t theoretical, it’s lived experience. One of the most consistent and sobering themes in the stories I gathered during my research of church planters was the presence of opposition. It took many forms and came from many directions, but it left a mark every time.

In around a quarter of the church plants, opposition emerged as a significant factor in their struggle to grow and establish themselves. That’s no small thing. Planting a church is already a fragile venture - often involving a small, relationally new group with little shared history, limited resources, and a big vision. To then face real resistance, especially early on, can feel like an emotional and spiritual ambush.

What stood out, however, was not just the presence of opposition but its variety and complexity.

Types of opposition

Sometimes the resistance was informal - grumbling neighbours or vocal locals who had caught wind of a new church and weren’t best pleased. Maybe childhood experiences had turned them away from religion. Maybe they were worried about traffic congestion on Sundays. Or perhaps it was more visceral: a fear, however unfounded, that house prices might fall if there was a congregation gathering on their street.

Other times, the opposition was institutional. Venue owners refused to hire out their buildings - not because of noise complaints or logistics - but because the church plant's theological convictions clashed with prevailing cultural views on social issues. Doors shut quietly, but firmly.

In some contexts, particularly outside the West, the resistance was more overt, unpleasant and policy-driven. In places like India, local state mechanisms were at times deployed to hinder or suppress new gospel efforts. Church planters in these regions faced not only spiritual battles but legal and bureaucratic ones too.

And then, most painfully, opposition sometimes came from other churches or faith groups. This could take the form of theological suspicion, territorial anxiety, or relational coldness. In several cases, established churches - some even from similar theological traditions - felt overshadowed or threatened by the new presence. Others, from differing backgrounds, viewed the new church as judgmental or divisive. Whatever the motive, the result was often the same: discouragement, strained relationships, and a drain on time and emotional energy.

Opposition isn’t unusual in gospel ministry. Jesus warned us to expect it. But when it comes wrapped in so many different forms - and especially when it comes from unexpected quarters - it can take a toll that isn't always visible from the outside.

Church planters shouldn’t be surprised by opposition, but they can be prepared. Clear communication, a posture of humility, and a deep confidence in God’s sovereignty and victory go a long way in helping teams persevere without becoming either combative or crushed.

“Take heart”, said Jesus, “I have overcome the world”!