Growing Churches

So here is the beginning of my thoughts on growing churches and my re-write of my booklet on the topic!

Question number one is, Do you want to grow? That is the most important question of all. If you do, and you’re willing to work at it, it can happen. But you have to want to grow from the janitor to the session, from the pastor to the Church School.

It is said that many congregations talk about growth, but they really don't want new people. What they want is more people to help do what the current people are getting tired of doing. But that is not what new people are about. New people come with new ideas, new expectations, new gifts and talents. They can be like new wine in an old wine skin. They can have so much fizz they burst the old church apart, wanting to change things, be in leadership, give more money away, and worst, ask more new people to come and join.

Growth, of course, does not necessarily mean numbers. Many congregations are “growing" even though their numbers of members are staying the same. Growth is mostly an attitude; an attitude that says that we truly want new people to come and be part of our faith adventure. If that attitude is true of your congregation, and you are doing what you can to invite and welcome new people, then the rest is in God's hands. But don't be surprised if over time a new visitor decides to join your local band of Jesus' followers.

Below you'll find some ideas about evangelism for churches that want to grow. Look through them. Pick and choose. Try some out and see what happens. Then go back and try a few more. Just remember, once growth happens, it's addicting. Have fun.