God is inviting us to participate in the expansion of His kingdom. And, He’s given us the responsibility to evangelize and steward the people He brings to us. This is the heart of healthy church growth.
This article content from some of the best ChurchLeaders articles on healthy church growth, evangelism, and discipleship, all rolled into one article. We compiled it to make you aware of the barriers that might be hindering your church’s growth, and we provide action items and solutions to break through those barriers. However, for truly healthy church growth you have to apply these principles in your church and in your local ministry context.
5 Habits of Healthy Church Growth
Habit 1: Growing Churches Replicate Leadership
You remember the passage where Jethro counseled Moses about burning out? Here’s a quick refresher:
13 The next day Moses sat to judge the people, and the people stood around Moses from morning till evening. 14 When Moses’ father-in-law saw all that he was doing for the people, he said, “What is this that you are doing for the people? Why do you sit alone, and all the people stand around you from morning till evening?” 15 And Moses said to his father-in-law, “Because the people come to me to inquire of God; 16 when they have a dispute, they come to me and I decide between one person and another, and I make them know the statutes of God and his laws.” 17 Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “What you are doing is not good. 18 You and the people with you will certainly wear yourselves out, for the thing is too heavy for you. You are not able to do it alone. 19 Now obey my voice; I will give you advice, and God be with you! You shall represent the people before God and bring their cases to God, 20 and you shall warn them about the statutes and the laws, and make them know the way in which they must walk and what they must do. 21 Moreover, look for able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe, and place such men over the people as chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. (Exodus 18:13-21, ESV)
It wasn’t feasible for Moses to continue being the sole decision maker among all the people. This isn’t an easy task. It will require you to trust other people and to relinquish control of certain tasks. You may not be able to make every hospital visit, or lead another discipleship group, or conduct a wedding. You may have to start saying no to things. And you have to be okay with disappointing some people.
Habit 2: Growing Churches Have Enough Room for People
True or False – If you have empty seats in your meeting space, you have enough room?
False.
You may think that because there are empty seats in your service, you have enough room. But, when a room reaches 70%-80% of its seating capacity, it’s running close to exceeding its comfort capacity. That means if first-time visitors to your church feel cramped, they may not come back. This principle of healthy church growth applies not only to your main meeting space, but to every classroom and other meeting room in your church.
CAUTION: The temptation may be to create a second service, thinking the congregation will evenly split in half to attend each service. This isn’t usually the case, however. If your church comfortably seats 500 people and you move to a second service, the reality is 400 people will attend one service and 100 may attend the other.
Habit 3: Growing Churches are Led by Growing Leaders
Leaders are Learners. Nelson Searcy said “growing churches are led by growing leaders.” Being intentional about personal growth as a leader, growing in your knowledge and understanding of the Word, and growing in your walk with Christ are all essential to healthy chuch growth.
Action Items:
- Create a monthly reading plan to read one new book each month. It doesn’t even have to be a Christian living book. But, remember that leaders are readers.
- Find online learning opportunities.
- Find a mentor or coach you consistently meet with to keep you on track with your goals, and to provide outside perspective on your decisions.
