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What’s Up
There’s a fresh wave of optimism sweeping through church circles this week. LifeWay Research just dropped a hopeful report suggesting Christianity in the U.S. might finally be turning a corner: Read the full report here. But don’t plan on an extra day off. Your church still needs (desperately needs!) some church growth strategies.
So What
According to LifeWay:
More adults report attending church at least once a month.
Church plants are stabilizing and even expanding in some regions.
Gen Z and Millennials are showing increased curiosity in spiritual things, with rising attendance in newer, missionally-driven congregations.
That’s encouraging. Seriously, I want to believe it.
But I live in Missouri, the Show-Me State, and I’m going to need more than polls, hope, and headlines.
The Point Is
Don’t Let Optimism Derail Action
Yes, it’s nice to hear things are shifting. But when pastors and churches start thinking, “Whew, we’re turning the corner,” they tend to ease up … and that’s deadly. You still need church growth strategies.
Church Closures Are Still Sky High
Thom Rainer’s recent data shows 15,000 churches will close this year. Another 15,000 are slipping into part-time status. The pain isn’t over.
The Average Attender Is Over 60
And declining churches are made up of aging congregations with most members sporting blue, silver, or no hair. The young-adult-filled churches are the exceptions, not the rule.
Growth Still Requires Strategy
Every church needs a plan. Period. That means increasing first-time visits, turning visitors into returners, discipling participants, and mobilizing them as missionaries in their neighborhoods.
And … ?
Look, I want to be wrong. I want this new research to be the spark of revival. But optimism is not a strategy. And the moment a church relaxes because the latest report looks good is the moment decline sneaks in the back door.
If you want to grow, you need more than good vibes. You need an intentional church growth strategy that fits your context and actually moves people forward:
Get people in the door (First-time visits)
Get them to come back (Guest retention)
Get them following Jesus (Discipleship)
Send them back out (Mission mobilization)
Every healthy church I’ve ever seen does this. And every declining church I’ve ever worked with fails at one or more of these steps – especially the first two strategies.
Don’t get caught off guard.
Don’t put down the plow.
Action!
Grab a copy of the Ghost Town to Growth Track Guide and get serious about your church growth strategy this week: https://go.effectivechurch.com/ghost-town
