Growing Your Church Through Training and Motivation

ARTICLE TOOLS

Find similar articles E-mail this page

It is possible for an unhealthy pastor to lead a growing church, but it takes a healthy pastor to lead a healthy church.
—Rick Warren

I have a problem with the idea of numerical church growth being the primary focus of pastors. In the early 1980s I used the term "church growth" because that was what everybody was familiar with. But I stopped using the phrase around 1986 because of the things I didn't like about the church growth movement.

For one thing, I don't like the incessant comparing of churches. The Bible says it's foolish to compare yourself to others. If you find somebody who's doing a better job than you, you get discouraged. If you find you're doing a better job than someone else, you could become proud. Either way, you're dead in the water.

A far better focal point than growth is health. Size is not the issue. You can be big and healthy, or big and flabby. You can be small and healthy, or small and wimpy. Big isn't better; small isn't better. Healthy is better. So I'm interested in helping churches become balanced and healthy.

If churches are healthy, growth is a natural occurrence. I don't have to command my kids to grow. If I provide them with a healthy environment, growth is automatic. If growth is not happening, it means something's wrong because it's the nature of living organisms to grow. Church growth automatically means numerical growth to most people, but that's only one kind of growth God is looking for in his church.

Putting the focus on church health can raise a problem, though. Attendance is much easier to measure. So how do we know whether a church is healthy?

Actually, numerical growth is not an unreliable indicator of health; it is merely inadequate. There are five ways to measure growth. ...

Like the preview? To read this complete article and 20,359 more in the archive—JOIN NOW! Easily find high-quality, well-researched materials that provide a Christian perspective on topics ranging from headlines to history. Start using this invaluable tool TODAY for preparing your Bible studies, presentations, class lectures, sermons, meetings, and more.
It's easy and quick to join: 2-for-1 Deal. Two powerful resources for 1 great price! A 1-Year Membership to CTLibrary & a 1-year print subscription to the magazine of your choice! Enjoy your first 7days online FREE! Only $49.95 1-Year Membership Plus your first 7 days are FREE! You won't be charged until after your free trial. Only $49.95 1-Month Membership Includes automatic renewal each month. Only $9.95 1-Year for Print Subscribers Special offer if you are currently a print subscriber to Christianity Today, Leadership journal, Books & Culture or Christian History & Biography. Only $29.95 first year Brought to You by Christianity Today Int'l		FREE e-Newsletter! Even if you're not a member you can take advantage of the free "Christian News & Research" twice monthly e-newsletter! Sign up today for the FREE e-newsletter!   Note: Members also automatically receive this free e-newsletter.