I often hear people speak about wanting the church to ‘grow.’ Indeed, whole industries have emerged, in this generation of church decline, claiming to have the ‘secret’ of church growth. Usually that means different things to different people. The first sign we look for is more numbers – meaning more people in the pews, more money being given, more programs to provide options for people looking for a church home, and even more vitality among members – a sense of joy rather than duty, a spiritual depth that goes beyond attendance to intimate connections – people who know and care for one another, and people who deepen their relationship with God.
There are eleven listed essentials of the growing church:
- Intention. This kind of attention is not by accident, but planned and developed.
- Invitational. As mentioned last week, growing churches do not just pay attention to those already in the pews. We invite through advertising, word of mouth, and are welcoming to those who do find their way to our church! We look not first to the needs of our members, but to the needs of our ‘guests’.
- Hard Work. These efforts require a commitment to the ‘long haul.’ Many churches may find some growth initially but then fear the change and conflict that are growing pains of a healthy congregation. Children don’t grow up overnight and churches don’t continue to grow without sustained effort.
- Inspirational worship is a key to the growing church. Especially in this age of church shopping with a lack of ‘brand loyalty’ – people don’t want a Methodist or Presbyterian congregation, but one where worship is meaningful.
- Initiation of new programs/activities/ ministries. Growing churches don’t ask ‘what did we do last year?’ as much as looking at ‘what do we need now’ for the next stage of our development?
- Instruction in the faith and nurturing discipleship in Jesus Christ. We are not the rotary or Kiwanis club! Growing churches keep the main focus on learning about and following our savior.
- Participation in Evangelism. When we say the ‘E’ word we picture going door to door with a tract in hand…so we avoid it at all costs. Yet evangelism is ‘sharing the good news’ of Jesus Christ… telling a neighbor or friend about the excitement of our church, inviting them to join us. 80% of visitors and new members come through personal invitation from someone in the congregation!
- Community minded. The growing church is in touch with and in tune with the needs of the neighborhood and community – and reaches beyond its doors to participate in alleviating suffering and solving problems together.
- Visibility. The growing church informs through visibility – people know the church for its programs and ministry and can identify its mission clearly. The first impression is visual – are the grounds attractive, well cared for? Are signs clear and visible to anyone passing by? Can people find the church easily?
- New members’ involvement. If someone who joins does not find friends or engage in programs within 6 months, they usually drift away. Growing churches find ways to involve new members quickly, and intentionally assimilates them.
- The growing church gets in touch with non-members who are abundant in any community. A small proportion of any community are ‘churched.’
I’ll See U in CH_RCH
Pastor Carol
