Are your church’s growth efforts hitting a ceiling? Do you struggle to balance the growth of your Sunday attendance with a strong culture of sending people out to plant new churches? If so, you’re not alone. Many congregations find themselves wrestling with this critical tension.
Overcome Your Church Growth Barriers
In a recent conversation on The Missional Marketing podcast, Pastor Andrew Hopper of Mercy Hill Church shared insights on breaking through common church growth barriers. As his Greensboro, North Carolina, congregation has grown from a house church to a multi-site network over the past 11 years, Hopper has learned valuable lessons about balancing the growth of ministry numbers with a focus on missions and sending.
The Growth-Sending Correlation
There is a deep connection between church growth and missional sending. “Churches can grow without going, but you cannot go without growing,” he states. Mercy Hill’s own stats illustrate this principle – for every missionary they’ve sent out, they’ve baptized 10 people. And for every baptism, they’ve seen 10 first-time guests. This 100:1 ratio of guests to missionaries underscores the importance of intentional front-end growth strategies to fuel long-term missional impact.
Reframing the Church Growth Conversation
Andrew Hopper launched the Breaking Barriers ministry because he recognized a prevalent disconnect between growth desires and a missional focus in many churches. This initiative aims to help congregations pursue church expansion while maintaining a strong sending culture. Through an annual conference, podcast, Facebook group, quarterly events, and cohorts, Breaking Barriers provides practical encouragement, equipping leaders to break down the barriers they face that are getting in the way of greater Kingdom impact.
Important Takeaways from a Church Growth Expert
From his personal experience and discussion with other church leaders facing the same issues, Hopper recommends a few areas of focus as your church considers church growth initiatives:
- Find ways to effectively manage communication as your team and congregation expand
- Clarify and instill important tenets of your church culture at pivotal stages
- Refine your beliefs on the importance of in-person church participation and the theological significance of local church bodies in the wake of disruptions like the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Avoid reactivity to news cycles and election seasons to maintain a Gospel-centered focus.
Effective Outreach Starts with Effective Marketing
Though the concept of “marketing” can feel like a sensitive topic in the realm of church and ministry, the reality is that Jesus encouraged believers to go out and share the Good News! The notion that growth-oriented efforts are inherently unspiritual is simply a misconception since nearly every congregation employs various outreach methods to some degree. As church leaders and ministry volunteers openly embrace effective outreach strategies and church marketing best practices, it is certainly bringing glory to God, as lives are transformed by the Gospel.
The Long Game of Church Planting
Kingdom-focused ministry is not a sprint; it’s a marathon. Church leaders want to embrace a long-term mindset when thinking of church growth strategies. Investing in diverse ministry experiences will deepen your understanding of your local cultural context. This growth mindset will enable your church to pursue steady, sustainable expansion while maintaining a strong sending culture.
If you’re a church leader seeking to break through your own growth barriers and maximize your Kingdom impact, we encourage you to explore the Breaking Barriers resource or book a consultation call today with our team at Missional Marketing to receive personalized guidance on your church marketing plan and new church growth strategy!