How Can I Help My Church to Grow part 4

Parts: 1 (here)  2 (here) 3 (here)

Do you really want to help your church to grow? Then make sure you’ve answered these two preliminary questions first: Why do I want my church to grow? and What do I mean by church growth? (Really, these questions are so important! Start there, first! Please!) 

Here are 3 more of the 8 things you can do to help your church grow:

4.     If you want your church to grow, Warmly welcome.

Warmly doesn’t mean descending on guests with frantic glee, “Oh, look, someone new!” It does mean reaching out to each individual or couple or family graciously. There is no formula here. Some people want a lot of interaction, other don’t. However, going to a church where nobody says anything to you (except the pastor and ushers) can be off-putting. If someone looks like they need some help (e.g. what page to turn to, where a room is, etc.) gently offer to help them. They may want your help. They may not. Respect their wishes.

5.     If you want your church to grow, Support your Pastor. 

Supporting your pastor doesn’t mean agreeing with her about everything. It does mean holding your pastor up in prayer. It means encouraging your pastor when the church, and especially they personally, are facing challenges. It means offering critique and disagreement in ways that will build up your pastor and not tear them down. A healthy church supports it leader. Supported leaders tends to lead more effectively. Leadership in a church almost always involves many leaders, support all of them. Well led churches are more likely to grow. 

6.     If you want your church to grow, Serve the Community.

As discussed in an earlier post, the kind of church growth we are talking about is holistic. This should reflect growing in Jesus’ Great Commandment to Love God and neighbor (Matthew 22:34-40). Yes, this means within the congregation, but also beyond the church. Find ways to serve your community (e.g. feeding the hungry). You don’t serve the community as a means of growing, you serve the community as a means of being faithful Christians. However, a church that is making a difference in people’s lives is a church better positioned to grow. 

While you’re waiting for next week’s post, you can review the previous posts and see what might be your next steps for helping your church to grow? (Some will note there were no jokes in this post. That’s because I received a complaint from the Ecclesiastical Anti-Fun Society). 

When do you think about these three ways to grow your church? Share below.