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What’s Up: Church leaders who ruthlessly pursue their mission tend to grow churches. But with the majority of churches in North America in decline, that suggests most churches aren’t actually pursuing their mission – they’re not engaged in the mission critical work of the Church. The problem? Many pastors are convinced they ARE on mission, but they’ve misidentified the mission critical.
So What: If your church isn’t growing, it’s time to reassess what you’re truly prioritizing. Many well-meaning pastors believe they are focused on the mission, but their strategy suggests otherwise. Until the mission is properly defined and pursued, decline is inevitable.
The Point Is:
Prioritized “Discipleship” of the Members
Discipleship is crucial, but when it focuses on the members, it becomes an inward-looking club. Biblical discipleship is about multiplication … training people to make more disciples, not just deepening knowledge for the already convinced.Projected Church-Preferences Onto the Culture
Just because something worked in the 50s, 70s, 90s, or even 2000s doesn’t mean it still does. Too many churches operate under the assumption that the unchurched should adapt to them, rather than meeting the culture where it is.Programmed in the “Build It and They Will Come” Worldview
The days of expecting people to show up just because your doors are open are long gone. If your strategy is waiting for people to find you, you’ve already lost. Outreach and relationship-building with the unchurched must be intentional, relational, and relentless.Misunderstand the Biblical Mission of the Church
Jesus didn’t say, “Make members.” He didn’t say, “Run a church.” He said, “Go and make disciples.” That means actively reaching the lost and prioritizing growth through evangelism—not just shuffling around the saved.
And …?
The hard truth is, many churches are failing not because they lack effort, but because they lack clarity on the mission. If your primary focus is on keeping members “well-fed,” refining internal programming, or maintaining tradition, you’ve misidentified the mission critical. Growing churches understand that the Great Commission is an outward movement, not a maintenance plan.
Churches that thrive don’t just talk about making disciples; they make it their central, non-negotiable pursuit. They train their people to evangelize, they structure their ministries around reaching the unchurched, and they are willing to disrupt comfort for the sake of the gospel. That’s what it takes to grow.
Action! Take an honest look at your ministry priorities this week. Are they truly designed to make more disciples, or just keep the current ones comfortable? If you’re ready to recalibrate your church toward real mission, let’s talk. Schedule a Get Growing Conversation session now!
