Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. - Psalm 119:105

Church Growth

Biblical and Effective Church Growth

Do you desire to have your church grow?

The goal here is to find the heart of the church, what has God called us to do and why! This includes the focus of our purpose and direction, things to avoid, and methods to make it work. These essays are not necessarily about numerical church growth, but growth in the faith, and growth in Christ. Because this is what pleases Christ and leads us to the prime directive for our church, which is to worship Christ! When a church becomes strong in the disciplines of the faith and is contagious with Christ, then people will be attracted to that church. The result will be real growth and glory to our Lord.

We all desire to have our churches growing. If not, there is something wrong!

All newer research and articles have been posted at our sister ministry,

www.churchleadership.org

Preparing the Pastor and Church Leadership to Grow!

A Primer Designed For Use In Leadership Training. This Primer will direct you through the basics of how to prepare your church for growth, and to be your best for His glory. You may use this personally, to train your leaders, or use with your people to reveal Biblical precepts and ideas on how to run your church effectively.

Implementing Hospitality

The Quintessential way to Grow your Church is to Understand and Implement Hospitality!

Are you a hospitable person? What about with people you do not like? You may not have to invite them into your home, but how do you treat them? How do you treat people at church? Really, how do you? Most people in any given church would say they are not treated well as far as feeling welcomed or connected! Yes, our church is different, and perhaps much better than others, but I believe we can be even better for our Lord's glory!

Leading the Church to Prayer

A few Key Principles to Jumpstart your Church on the Road to His Path!

How to Find Out if Your Church is Visitor Friendly

Seeking out information from the visitors will be one of your best resources. They will see beyond what we see because we become compliant and get so used to the way things are that we do not see the problems and issues that a fresh perspective will see.

Questions to Determine Your Church's Health

Here is a tool to help you assess your church's health. For each question, have your congregation and leaders be open and honest and be in prayer.

The Problem With Most Church Growth Paradigms

No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love... The Church Growth movement has made major contributions to the Church over the years. It has also given us some major problems! Some church growth thinking that has done the opposite to the church. This thinking has caused churches to...

Church Diseases!

The Most Common Diseases That Infect the Church! A Healthy church needs to develop an immune system to resist disease; else the church will get sick and perhaps even die. We do not mean the diseases of viruses, such as whooping cough, but ones that are even more destructive to our soul and future in eternity! It is much more sensible in our physical health to eat right, reduce stress, and exercise to prevent illness and live a longer, better quality life. If we do not, we get sick and miss one too many sick days and are fired from work, or get that one disease that may...

Practical helps on how to effectually develop vision and purpose for your churches success and most importantly for Christ's glory!

How to Determine the Needs of the Church

This is where you do an honest assessment of what is needed in your church, whether it is spiritual growth, programs, facility improvements, leadership training, discipleship, or teaching�

How to Determine the Needs Of the Community

What do you think God placed your church in this neighborhood to do? Now, brainstorm what needs are evident and how you can meet them! Determine the type of programs that can meet those needs.

How to Determine the Purpose of Your Church

The purpose of the church is God's purpose, not personal whims, or desires! That purpose will be revealed solely through Scripture and prayer. The core of your purpose will be what Christ has called all churches to as found in the Great Commandment and the Great Commission in Matt 22:36-40; 28: 19-20!

How to Write Your Complete Purpose Statement!

Your Purpose Statement, sometimes called a Mission Statement will encompass all of the precepts we talked about, arranged in a logical and systematic order. Remember, God is the One who guides us, and this Purpose Statement is the mechanism of communication to convey His call to you and the rest of the church.

How to Develop and Cast your Vision

A vision is the comprehensive statement that tells the leaders of the organization what direction they should move, and what they should accomplish so they can motivate the people under them. The church should be and strive toward a preferred future, not just to a dream!

How to Go From Purpose to Practice

Keep the Biblical principals in mind and never replace what we think we need over what He calls us to do! This step clarifies the steps taken to this point, and suggests strategies on how they can be implemented. Pastors and Elders can do this once a year to make sure you are still on the right track.

Here is how you can Grow your Church:

44 Church Growth Principles that are Real and Work!

Your call and profession might need a review. Growing a church is Biblical, and an imperative from our Lord. However, we also need to discover what it means to "grow a church." Most people consider numerical growth, but...

More on our Schaeffer Institute and Pastor's Page channels!

Our latest findings have been moved to the Francis A. Schaeffer Institute of Church Leadership Development at www.churchleadership.org

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Bible Reading Spreadsheet

We have a wondrous new tool to help you in your Bible reading efforts!

See our U-Tube on how it works!

A Bible reading checklist in "Excel" that keeps track of your progress with all kinds of cool graphs and tracking features along with stats on words, verses, encouraging facts, etc. This is also a fund-raising opportunity for us that we think could be a successful addition to your church or ministry spiritual arsenal.