Church Health

#BestOf2013: The Myth of Inevitable Church Growth

/ 5 minutes of reading

A healthy church does not inevitably mean a growing church. I used to believe that it did. After all, I’ve read about the “truth” of inevitable church growth in every church leadership book written in the last 30 years. I even taught it myself.

I don’t believe it any more. It’s a myth. The reason I no longer believe that numerical growth is inevitable for a healthy church has to do with one problem that kept presenting itself…

The evidence stubbornly refuses to back it up.

#BestOf2013: The Myth of Inevitable Church Growth Read More »

#BestOf2013: We’re Pushed to Build Bigger Churches – Who Catches Us When We Fall?

/ 5 minutes of reading

Many pastors feel pushed to grow, but don’t the help they need when that growth fails to materialize.

I’ve been thinking and praying about this situation since receiving the messages asking for help from frustrated pastors. From that thought and prayer, as well as from the many conversations I’m having with fellow Small Church pastors, I’ve written a starter list for how church officials can help us. When it comes to helping Small Church pastors – which, by the way, is the vast majority of churches in every denomination, fellowship, movement, network and faith – these might be a good place to begin.

#BestOf2013: We’re Pushed to Build Bigger Churches – Who Catches Us When We Fall? Read More »

#BestOf2013: What If We Made Disciples and Left Church Growth to God?

/ 5 minutes of reading

We’re often told that one of the reasons so many churches remain small is lack of faith. But I wonder… could it be that the reverse is true? Might our obsession with bigger and bigger churches be rooted in a greater lack of faith?

Have we been afraid that God might not do his part (building his church) if we’d simply be faithful to do our part (making disciples)? Is it possible that the glut of church growth books, seminars and classes in the last few decades been our attempt to help God out?

#BestOf2013: What If We Made Disciples and Left Church Growth to God? Read More »

Why Are There So Many Unhealthy Small Churches? (Don’t Worry, It’s Good News)

/ 3 minutes of reading

“I like the idea of Small Churches. But if they’re so great, why do I see so many more unhealthy Small Churches than unhealthy big churches?” That’s the question I was asked last week during an extended conversation with a Small Church pastor. The question wasn’t from cynicism or unkindness. It was out of genuine

Why Are There So Many Unhealthy Small Churches? (Don’t Worry, It’s Good News) Read More »