Church Growth - More Than a Numbers Game

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As US mainline denominations struggle with declining numbers, some church leaders are revisiting the importance of making church growth and development a front-line priority. This renewed focus on church growth could benefit from "20-20 hindsight" supplied by examining a church growth paradigm established by leaders in the field.

Church Growth — A Lesson from the Past

Church growth has been a topic of growing interest in mainline US churches since the late 1960's. There was just cause for heightened interest. By the 1970's mainline US denominations were planning fewer new churches than ever. The Church Growth Movement trumpeted a wake-up call and served as a catalyst to refocus attention on starting new churches. Unfortunately, mainline denominations have not regained the pre-1970 rate of new church development to date.

Church growth leader Donald McGavran developed a helpful church growth paradigm.

5-Part Church Growth Paradigm

1. Churches — Recover Your "Main Business." This main business is following the Great Commission, which commands us to reach pre-Christian people and people groups.
   
2. Evangelism's Goal Is to Make Disciples. The main purpose of evangelism is more than preaching or witnessing "for a decision." The acid test of evangelism is determined when a person a) starts following Jesus Christ as personal Lord and Savior; and b) is incorporated into a local communion of the Body of Christ.
   
3. Employ an Intentional Church Growth Strategy. As a former missionary, I know the dangers of sending people who share more culture than Christ or more social services than spiritual enrichment. Be clear about your mission. Does it produce disciples? Include self-assessment and ministry assessment in your strategy to reach people for Christ.
   
4. Define "Effective Evangelism." Explode preconceptions and presumptions about what you think reaches people for Jesus Christ. Do crusades and revivals actually work in your context? Are people actually responding to tracts or memorized gospel presentations? Pray, ask questions, discern what actually works in your context.
   
5. Consult Field Research About Effective Mission and Evangelism. Researchers in the church growth field have and are producing helpful information about "best practices" in mission and evangelism ministries. Take time to read, talk to consultants, and ask questions.

Church growth is more than a numbers game. Bear in mind the above paradigm and healthy growth will follow.