Return to Archive Topical Index


INGREDIENTS FOR CHURCH GROWTH

1. Attitude - "Desire"
  1. There must be a desire to be a great church
  2. Must be willing to pay the price

2. Vision - "see beyond"
  1. We must be able to see beyond next Sunday
  2. At Kadesh-Barnea the 10 spies had no vision
  3. Vision is more important that location, money, talent
  4. Fisherman, keeping only the small fish, threw all the larger ones back, asked why, said, "I only have a 7" frying pan."
  5. Many churches have a 7" limitation on vision

3. Atmosphere
  1. Mood-setters = song leader, preacher, announcements
  2. Most churches are friendly to each other
  3. We must decide to either:

                DO IT!        DELEGATE IT!        OR        DITCH IT!

4. Bible-centered
  1. Sermons, classes
  2. Spend time in study of the word
  3. Church will never be bigger than its Sunday school

5. Action-oriented
  1. We must put people to work
  2. Put deacons in charge and turn loose
  3. Involvement is the key to keeping them

6. Unity
  1. Acts 4:32
  2. Tradition is holding us back
  3. Do you want the church to function?

7. Specific goals
  1. The survey tells us where we are
  2. A goal tell where we are headed - our aim
  3. We need to establish:
    1. A GOAL for the church
    2. Several goals that are specific (countable)
    3. Set time tables and limits for them

  4. Post, announce, and publicize them

8. Praise and encouragement
  1. Barnabas = his nickname, what others called him
  2. What if we were called as perceived?
  3. Discouragement is a major problem in church growth

9. Persistence
  1. Hang in there.
  2. B. Keep on keeping on.

Return to Archive Topical Index