Principles for Developing a Church Growth Vision

By James A. Cress

Vision = More Than Sight!

Some people see things as they are and ask why?

Other see things as they could be and ask why not!

-- Robert F. Kennedy

1. Intentionality

• God expects the church to grow (Acts 2).

• Growth is not a numbers game! But God is interested in numbers

• Church is not the church if it is not growing!

2. Dissatisfaction with Status Quo

• If all is okay, why still here?• A great heritage and marvelous

history1949 1 million members worldwide200920 million members worldwide

• But we are still here!What should we be doing differently?

3. Analytical Analysis

• Not salvation by number-crunching• Who have you got?• What is working?• What is not working?

1. Unconscious ineffectiveness2. Conscious ineffectiveness3. Unconscious effectiveness4. Conscious effectiveness5. Naturalized effectiveness

4. Target Best Potentials = Positioning

• Youth vs. aged• Win a youth, win a multiplication table• No one power group controls• On-going repositioning is essential• Population demographics determine

mission tactics (i.e. Paul’s different approaches).

5. Build on Strengths

• Slogan: The Caring Church• Nobody believed – not even the

members• Seventh-day Adventists . . .

When you’re looking for answers!• ADRA - You can trust > than “they care”• Build on strengths:

Adventists not charismatics

6. Pastoral Tenure

• 21 years experience• Live through and resolve problems

vs. escape

7. Emphasize Spiritual Growth

1. Bible Study2. Prayer3. Fellowship4. Witnessing5. Obedience

8. Consistent Preaching

• Christ-centered• No surprises• Listener-focused • Take home value• Certainty – preach “as if”• Study your questions, of course.• Don’t take your questions into the

pulpit!

9. Invitations

• Response cards• Pew card summary• Spiritual business• Public invitations• Invite “an appointment”• Easy to say “Yes”

I would like to be baptized I request a pastoral visit

10. Big Deals

• Baby Dedications• Baptismal Services• Anniversaries• Friends’ Day• Honor Teachers• Visitor Recognition

11. Advertise

• Sabbath Worship Service – Advertise – Weekly newsletter, paper, radio,

televisionSermon series

• Best evangelistic opportunity• Complimentary advertising• Pastoral business cards for your leaders• Announce:

Open CommunionPublic BaptismAnnual HomecomingFree Lunch

12. Dynamic Worship

• Creatively Dynamic• Need not be radical!• Timeliness

Cut extraneousTime CzarEmphasize essentialsMail bulletins

13. Inclusive Reckoning as Outreach Method

Believers Attending

Believers Non-Attending

Non-Believers Attending

Non-Believers Non-Attending

14. Small Group Ministries

• Pastor’s Work = “work the members”• Pastors Method = “lead the leaders!”• Small Group Effectiveness Factors:

– Word– Worship– Fellowship– Service

15. Leaders Who Lead!

• Not an enabler who says, Here I am, What do you want me to do?

• Not a facilitator who says, Figure out what you want to do and I’ll help you get there.

• Rather . . . A leader who says, “This is where God wants us to go . . . Follow me as I follow Christ!

A. Assume responsibility for growthB. Work hardC. Share ministryD. Not paralyzed by pessimists – some members cannot be

pastoredE. Invest time, energy and money in training

Self – continuing educationLeaders – for responsible serviceMembers – increased world view

16. Followers Who Follow

A. Willing to follow the leader. B. Expect pastoral ranchers more than

shepherdsC. Pay the price for followingD. Readjust fellowship patterns – assimilate

newE. Open up leadership opportunitiesF. Intentionally include youth and newcomers

– Rather youth not attend than sing

17. Administrators who value local congregation more than structure

• Tip O’Neill -- All politics is local• Resource sharing• Key Result Areas (KRA) as

base for appropriations• Performance Standards

18. Global Worldview = Mission