Wired Jesus Podcast

17 Signs Of A Fast Growing Church | Brian Dodd On Leadership.

Living in the Lutheran tribe, with a 500 year history and serving in a congregation that has been around for over 100 years, I’m not exactly living ministry in the fast growth track. When I read this article it got me thinking. There really isn’t much in it that I disagree with. I guess I would make this observation – these 17 signs may be symptoms as much as signs of a growing church. By that I mean as I look at the lists of the largest, fastest growing Protestant churches in North America (I set aside Roman Catholic congregational growth as different), one thing seems fairly common to me. Most are less than 50 years old and have had either a single charismatic pastor at the helm.

The advantage you have in starting a church now is that there is all kind of data and track records on what connects, communicates, and grows a church that disciples new christians and so you can create that culture from the outset. The people who want a chaplain, a Sunday morning pew sitting experience, or something that reminds them of their childhood won’t stay at a missionally driven church very long because it is an entirely different church culture. Media in worship, music that you can sing to rather than reserved for the concert hall, small groups where you actually read the Bible and can disagree because there is no party line… that draws seekers in who have been burned or bored by the 20th century church experience.

On the other hand, the majority of congregations are older than 50 years, most are stagnant or in decline, and this is a completely new experience. Established congregations have weathered world wars, language changes, and the passage of generations and remained strong and relevant to their communities for decades. Until now. Something has changed in the last 20-30 years and the formerly vigorous churches are withering.

Why? I think its fairly obvious and frightening at the same time – the world and how we communicate has changed and continues to change at a quantum pace. The culture of passing on a heritage and preserving something solid and unchanging has become as quaint and antiquated as organ music. The parents who protested in the 60s and chanted “Question authority” are now the ones being questioned by emerging generations who don’t want church the boomer way and speak in a daily digital language and a faith vocabulary different from anything we have seen since the advent of the printing press.

Can an established church become a fast growing church? That is the area that I have worked in. While it can happen, the data suggests typically no, at least not without complete cultural conflict and change. You are better off starting with a new congregation that is in tune with the community, not one demanding the community tune into it. But who knows? Jesus raised the dead before and every so often, the Spirit moves and we get surprised.

Tags: christians, church, community, engaging culture, Generations, growing churches, leadership, pastors, worship