In the midst of a megachurch phenomenon, smaller churches are struggling to go above the 1,000 or even 65 mark of regular attendees.
Many churches deal with the same inevitable growth barriers that keep them from filling their pews and reaching more for Christ. They essentially find themselves stuck.
At those times, the wrong question to ask is "How do I get my church to grow?" says Nelson Searcy, lead pastor of The Journey Church in New York City, according to Outreach magazine.
"When you think growth is your responsibility, you will inevitably make bad decisions," he says. "It's about God's power."
Searcy advises church leaders to instead ask themselves "What is keeping my church from growing?"
The most fundamental barrier churches face is space, according to the New York pastor, and the easiest to overlook.
"As church leaders, we love full rooms, so we say, 'Pack ’em in, there’s still a few seats!' But the truth is that when a room reaches 70 percent of its seating capacity, it’s full. Period," he stresses.
When The Journey, a five-year-old multicultural and multi-site community of more than 1,200, averaged close to 80 people each week in a theater that could pack 110, they stopped growing. Attendees stopped inviting friends perceiving there was no more room and some attendees stopped because it was hard to find a seat, Searcy explains. After The Journey moved to a space that was three times bigger, the church began growing again.
Most churches face growth barriers when attendance reaches 65, 125, 250, 500 and 1,000, he notes. For the country's largest churches, the attendance ceiling hovers around 20,000, with only five churches in Outreach's recent Largest 100 list reporting attendance at or above that mark.
On another note, Searcy cautions against starting a second service too early. He says it's better to grow to 300 or 400 before starting one.
The second common barrier is self-development. If the church leaders have stopped maturing spiritually and progressing personally, the congregation is not far behind, Searcy highlights. Signs that a pastor isn't growing include stale sermons, the congregation's passion waning and the halt of staff and church growth.
To turn that around, Searcy suggests setting up a reading goal with books focused on theology, history as well as the Bible. Also, attend key conferences and seek out mentors.
Growth barrier number three is sharing.
"Churches stop growing when they become inwardly (instead of outwardly) focused," Searcy says. "If you notice a decline in your number of first-time guests and an increase in discussion of inwardly focused programs, beware! You are about to fall victim to the sharing barrier."
Healthy churches should have a 5:100 ratio of first-time guests, according to Searcy. If not, focus more on evangelism outreach and encourage people to invite friends to church.
Weekly worship service can also be a growth barrier. Searcy calls it "the front door" through which people get their first impression of the church. Continue >>
Comments
I am stunned at all of the negative comments pertaining to church growth. You cannot presume to know what is in a man't heart. I am concerned about growing my church, but not because I need bigger offerings (as some in this comment section have suggested), instead it is because I am focused on the great commission. Our job is to go and make disciples. That suggest we make MORE people followers of Jesus Christ. When I read the book of Acts it says that Peter preached on the day of pentecost and 3,000 were added to their number. It goes on to say that the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
The question is not how big or small, rather is the church focused on creating disciples. I have seen both big and small do a good job of this and I have seen big and small do a poor job of this. Stop taking shots at those churches who want to grow the Kingdom.
Blessings on everyone.
I guess I will have to disagree with the majority here. Saying that "Jesus is not concerned with numbers" seems to be the mentality of a small church that is finding it difficult to produce numerical growth. God is very concerned with numbers! God wants people and people equal numbers.... is it crazy to assume that God would want to reach many? I believe checking out ways to reach more people is necessary in growing a church for God. A church with a large attendance may mean good things are happening there, and not necessarily a sign of lowerd standards or a watered-down message.
Amen BOC,
People seem to forget that the church isn't a building made with hands, as is so commonly taught today, but a NEW CREATION. A body created BY GOD consisting of individual members who have believed in the "gospel of OUR salvation" as given to Paul for we who ARE His Body.
God is not interested in numbers folks...hes interested in people BELIEVING the gospel of the dispensation of the GRACE of God and being saved thru the finished work of Christ.
God "desires that all men be saved ....AND AND AND that they come to a full knowledge (epignosis) of the truth"...this can only be accomplished thru knowing where OUR specific information is found.
Please visit our forum at www.graceteacher.com for further information and edification, where we study the Bible GOD'S Way 2 Tim 2:15, and where we seek to join God in HIS Goal of "making ALL men SEE what IS the fellowship of the Mystery...." Eph. 3:9
Wow - all the negative comments seem to assume that none of the church leaders who may need this advice are spiritual enough, or preaching a good enough gospel.
The article, to me, sounds like practical advice for church leaders who are so focused on the message of Jesus that they wouldn't otherwise see these things. These are things that are preventing good churches from growing, not quick fixes to pack the pews of a watered-down church. It would be a tragedy if God set up a wonderful team to bring the gospel to a community and their work was hindered because, for example, they never thought about expanding their worship space until every seat was full.
Shame on us who would make a pastor's job harder by condemning practical advice.
I find the comments on this article to be very impressive... I also find the thumbs-up/thumbs-down equally as impressive seeing as though the majority of people who push the thumbs-down option do not ever comment.
Why disagree if you cannot articulate your response as a comment? I find it cowardly.
This sounds more like a business article, this is sad. Church has become a business now, more concerned about how many "customers" they have. A better article would be "5 Common Barriers to Growing In Christ". Size is not important.
A very interesting article. First this person says that -
"It's about God's power".
Then the rest of the article gives tips on how best to use your own whiles to "grow a church".
"As church leaders, we love full rooms, so we say, 'Pack ’em in, there’s still a few seats!”
Well I guess Christ could have learned a lot from these “church leaders.” Jesus was only able to draw a minority during His time here on earth; the REMNANT; the LITTLE FLOCK, etc. The more successful church leaders could quickly show Him, “Just lower your standards and we’ll pack ‘em in!” “Since YOUR way is NARROW and since mankind typically doesn’t seek after truth, all you have to do is WIDEN the PATH!”
No, Jesus maintained His integrity and if 50 came or if 5 came, that was their decision. Of course Jesus wasn’t trying to become a popular TV evangelist or trying to find more effective ways to get people to fork over more of their silver. He just gave them the truth.
BOC560