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In Stafford, Texas, leaders decided the city's 50 or so existing churches were enough, especially since only 200 acres remained available for development. Many worshippers don't actually live in the Houston suburb, said mayor Leonard Scarcella, and without a city property tax, Stafford's budget was stretched.

Leaders imposed new regulations meant to put anyone who wants to develop in Stafford under stricter review. "We don't have 50 of anything else," Scarcella said. "We're looking into ways that we can maintain balance, maintain viability and vitality of our economy."

Here in southeast Orlando, the 6,000-member Faith Assembly of God will pay up to $1 million in impact fees for its new building, Pastor Robb Hawks said. The idea that churches don't shoulder a fair share of development costs is a fallacy, he said.

The church plans to maintain its old property—home to a school, fitness classes and youth programs—and hold worship services at its new site.

Across the street from the new facility, another large church is under construction. Neighbors worry the roads can't handle the development, but Hawks offers no apology for his church's growth. It's a reflection of Orlando's rampant growth, he said.

"I find it fascinating that people will move into a housing development and … the first thing they want to do is stop any developments going in around them," he said.

"People come and they move into the city. They've transplanted themselves possibly from up north and they come looking for community, and where do you find community? … They go looking for a church to not only fulfill their spiritual needs but their social needs as well."

Copyright © 2007 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

"Go and Plant Churches of All Peoples," from our September issue, says church planting is the new evangelism.

More articles on church life are available in our full coverage section.

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October (Web-only) 2007, Vol. 51