Category Archives: renewal

What “causes” churches to grow is a different but related question. For the moment, I’m wondering about what else is true concurrently with church growth. Here’s a partial list that comes to mind. What would you add?

• When they are brand new, and the leadership is focused almost exclusively on reaching new people and inviting them to walk together in life transforming faith. 
• When they become “the popular thing”  
• When they have enough name or brand recognition that people are drawn there  
• When the participants are enthusiastic and motivated to invite neighbors and friends 
• When the participants have a desire and motivation to see people come to renewing faith in Jesus 
• When there is a major crisis in the community or world and people “need” church 
• When God’s Holy Spirit does something in a community, a church, or its leaders. 
• When they are responding to people’s felt needs. This is initially neutral. Could be need for divorce or grief recovery. Could be need for entertainment and distraction and confirming my biases and prejudices. Either way, it works, at least initially.
• When they engage people in ways that help them find deep meaning, purpose and healing. 
• When they are able to engage newcomers into relationship (individually AND in groups) that help them experience hospitality, friendship, service and spiritual growth.