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Church Growth Advice - 5/12/2008 3:47:23 PM
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bryancutshall
Posts: 1
Joined: 5/12/2008
Status: offline
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I am a pastor and a level 5 licensed church consultant, so I'd like to offer some church growth advice if I may...I know God has called me to help pastors and ministry leaders...so please let me be of any help if I can!
One of the most common mistakes made by leaders is changing courses to fast. A church is a lot like a ship. If you turn too fast, you will turn the boat over. The sea of life if full of sunken ships that would have survived if the leaders would have transitioned instead of forcing abrupt and immediate change. Change is not accepted merely because it is needed. Many people know things need to change, but would rather settle for mediocrity than venture into the unknown seas of an uncertain future. People will only accept change if their leader has enough influence, track record and integrity to ensure a safe trip into uncharted waters. Changing a church requires at least 5 ships: Leadership, Worship, Discipleship, Stewardship and Fellowship.
Leadership- Unless the leaders are on board, change will be resisted and confusion is imminent. All of the questions have to be answered among the leaders, before the visions is cast to the rest of the congregation. Corporate vision casting should never catch your leaders off guard.
Worship- The key to a successful worship service is flow. A worship service that doesn’t have constant interruption points gives you a seamless experience with God. A service with flow gets you into His presence, and there your mind can be changed. Change must be perceived as spiritual growth. Nothing says that like a seamless flow in a worship experience.
Discipleship- Solve your problems in the smallest possible component. The quickest avenue of change is through small groups. Your discipleship program not only gives you the best results for personal growth, but also provided the perfect vehicle for corporate growth. Vision trinkles down from the top. As the leaders cast the vision, the small groups leaders can have unprecedented influence in creating positive momentum.
Stewardship- The first question concerning change is, “can we afford it.” Churches have got to start thinking outside the offering plate. Growing churches need to create income streams that fuel their ministry budgets. A stewardship plan up front makes a huge impact on how people perceive ideas for change.
Fellowship - The larger a church becomes, the better it has to do small. Connectivity is the key to cohesiveness. Never underestimate the power of a night of eating, laughing and enjoying each other. The church is in the relationship business. We create an environment where individuals can have a personal relationship with God and the family of God. Friends can change the hearts of another friend much quicker that the best ran campaign.
Implementing is the key to the principles behind church growth. These concepts sound good but they will only work for you when you know how to incorporate them into your church. I have a church growth seminar with more in-depth information if anyone is interested, but I'm here more to help, not sell my products...
Be Blessed!
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RE: Church Growth Advice - 5/12/2008 5:07:27 PM
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JimboFletch
Posts: 4699
Joined: 4/11/2005
Status: offline
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I agree that changing too fast, without the membership being on board, is a recipe for disaster.
quote:
Stewardship- The first question concerning change is, “can we afford it.” Churches have got to start thinking outside the offering plate. Growing churches need to create income streams that fuel their ministry budgets. A stewardship plan up front makes a huge impact on how people perceive ideas for change.
I'd like to hear more about your thoughts on that. From scripture, both OT & NT, the way God funded corporate projects was through the generous offering of the people. Do you find a different biblical model?
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RE: Church Growth Advice - 5/12/2008 11:29:19 PM
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HisFish
Posts: 401
Joined: 8/3/2005
From: Rocky mountain way
Status: offline
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If you want church growth, i have just one suggestion; preach the word. Dont "sell" God, just preach the word. Church growth dosent require a business model to be successfull. God will give the increase. The problem with most of American christianity is that we have a form of Godliness but deny its power. Growth for its own sake should never be the aim of any church.
< Message edited by HisFish -- 5/13/2008 12:59:12 AM >
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RE: Church Growth Advice - 5/13/2008 9:24:17 AM
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kernsfamily
Posts: 1102
Joined: 4/26/2006
From: Dallas (originally Detroit)
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: HisFish
If you want church growth, i have just one suggestion; preach the word. Dont "sell" God, just preach the word. Church growth dosent require a business model to be successfull. God will give the increase. The problem with most of American christianity is that we have a form of Godliness but deny its power. Growth for its own sake should never be the aim of any church.
Very true...my thoughts exactly....Growth for its own sake should never be the aim of any church.
My church (which we started going to almost 6 years ago), started out in 1977 in a rented city rec center with a handful of families.
Today....it's a thriving congregation of 26,000+. Why? "Church Growth" initiatives? nope. Preaching the Word and perpetual Outreach into our community. That's it. We don't have any 'membership/attendance' "goals" or projections. No "church membership/attendance" drives...nothing like that..... As a matter of fact, many times when someone, or an entire family, is led to Christ as a result of one of our outreach ministries, we'll help them find ANOTHER church to go to that best suits their needs/preferences and to where God is calling them.....IF that's something they are interested in. We realize that our church isn't for everyone...and God just may be leading them somewhere else, now that they have accepted Christ.
Now, dealing with the logisitics of having such a large congregation is totally different. We certainly make sure we have the facilities to accomodate all who come....BUT, we don't build in ANTICIPATION of growth. We build only when absolutely necessary to accomodate the growth that has already occurred. And, when we have the funds in hand (collected as a result of funds given "over and above" regular tithing).....
The current church membership has to be WILLING to accept/welcome new members, and visitors, if a church is to grow and be effective in the community it is located in. If not, and they are happy being a "holy huddle", as many around here seem to be....then, those congregations will not grow....
_____________________________
Proud dad of 3 great girls....Erin, Emilie and Elise
Blessed to have all of them in a "totally awesome" public elementary school!
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RE: Church Growth Advice - 5/13/2008 9:31:52 AM
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Szaftoo
Posts: 965
Joined: 4/13/2005
From: So. Calif.
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: HisFish
If you want church growth, i have just one suggestion; preach the word. Dont "sell" God, just preach the word. Church growth dosent require a business model to be successfull. God will give the increase. The problem with most of American christianity is that we have a form of Godliness but deny its power. Growth for its own sake should never be the aim of any church.
Ditto!
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