Developing A Church Growth Strategy

Church Growth Strategies are a dime a dozen. Hundreds of books, magazines, periodicals, etc., contain the next great strategy that will “magically” grow your church overnight. I’m a church growth and evangelism strategist. I believe strongly in church growth and fulfilling the Great Commission of our Lord Jesus Christ. I work with churches on a weekly basis designing evangelism strategies for church growth and development. 

With all that said, one central imperative exists in my personal view of church growth: “it must be biblical.” Today, more and more churches incorporate a “watered-down” pragmatic gospel to attract unbelievers. Outreach and true church growth should never be anything less than a solid biblical foundation. Honoring God with the true gospel message without compromise or invalidity is paramount. A watered-down gospel produces “watered-down” followers who fail to understand the gospel imperative for Christian living. True church growth produces more than numbers, it produces disciples!

A growth strategy for church advancement is something every church should develop. Why is this so important? Let me share some reasons why developing a church growth strategy is vital for a consisted and growing church community.

God thinks strategically, so should you…

From the very beginning of time, God has had a plan, and He never strays away from nor alters His procedure. God is not a God of chaos, uncertainty, or direction-less thinking. His plan is perfect and is being carried out each passing day. Far too many churches exist in a chaotic state of plateau-ism and decline, with no direction or purpose. They go through the motions of basic church existence, but produce little, if any, fruit. Failure to plan is a plan to fail. Every pastor should develop an annual growth plan for his church family. This plan should include growth goals in areas such as evangelism, discipleship, fellowship, worship, and prayer, just to name a few. Remember, church growth is more than numbers, it’s growing believers to grow other believers. But if the believers don’t have a biblical action plan to follow, they will not grow as fruitful believers, nor will they reproduce other new believers. Sheep MUST be led; if not, they tend to wander and drift, many away from the flock all together. Shepherds must lead the flock with a biblical plan for growth and spiritual development.

Satan thinks strategically, so prepare for battle…

Many pastors start off in ministry with good intentions and wishful expectations. But when discouragement, lack of growth, internal struggles, and even personal depression sets in, well made plans often fall to the side. Satan operates in confusion, apathy, despondency, and chaos. He is a schemer who knows how to infiltrate the church and cause deep pain for the pastor and entire congregation. That’s why planning and strategies must be biblically based, set forth to grow the church spiritually, whereby helping to ward off the attacks of the enemy. Therefore, what we do strategically, with focused intentionality and purpose, keeps the main thing, the main thing. We don’t focus on the enemy’s plot to constantly create chaos; rather, we focus on growth, development, and spiritual advancement. 

Be familiar with your target area…

Unfortunately, too many churches have a “we four and no more” mentality. They have become inward driven rather than outward driven. The Great Commission calls for us to move beyond the four walls of the church out into the fields that are ripe for harvest. Therefore, a good growth strategy will seek to analyze local demographics carefully, learning the needs of the community. A “so-called” growth strategy that looks only at the inward church and not outwardly will be destined for ultimate failure. You may experience some transfer growth, or an occasional child baptism through Vacation Bible School, but real conversion growth will be non-existent.

Develop an army of servant-minded ministers…

A good motto to adopt in your church should be “Every member a minister.” Most churches exist with about 10 faith people doing to work of about 100 or more. Every member needs a place of service in the body of Christ. Granted, not every member will serve. Encourage them, motivate them, and challenge them to serve, but don’t focus on the naysayers and no-showers! Take the ones who will truly serve and place them strategically. Teach them to “reproduce” themselves with like-minded people that they can disciple and train. Where church members are allowed to sit and soak, but not serve, the church’s growth strategy will be ineffective.

Make time to evaluate, re-think, and re-strategize as needed…

Word with what works for you, but if it’s not working, don’t accept failure and quit. Re-evaluate and retool, make changes where necessary, and go with what works for your church and its leadership. Every church is different. It has its own unique personality. What may be working for a neighbor church may not work for you. Remember, you’re two different churches. What works in the suburban church may not work for you in a rural community. Failure is not an option, so don’t let it get you down and halt your progress for church growth. Learn to be flexible and adaptable with your growth strategy. This takes time along with some trial and error. Adjust as needed to fulfill your calling and commissioning as a strong New Testament church of the Lord Jesus Christ.