The Church is God’s only institution on earth that carries eternal value. It is the Body of Christ, the Bride that Jesus is coming for, and the only institution that will survive time and eternity. The Church is God’s divine vehicle for redeeming the lost and restoring His will on earth. Therefore, any effort, time, or resources spent learning how to build and grow the Church according to God’s pattern is never a waste but an investment into eternity.
Church growth is not just a subject of strategy; it is a spiritual mandate and a divine responsibility. It is both practical and scriptural. True church growth is rooted in acknowledging the headship and Lordship of Jesus Christ over His Church (Col. 1:18). Our holistic approach to church growth embraces both biblical principles and Spirit-led applications. My passion and burden for the Church is summed up in the words of revivalist Charles G. Finney, who said on his deathbed: “If I had the opportunity to do ministry all over again, I would preach to the Church, not to sinners.” If the Church becomes truly the Lord’s Church in character, conduct, and calling, the entire world will feel the impact.
A. WHY MINISTRIES DESIRE CHURCH GROWTH
Over the years, I have observed that many ministers approach church growth with the wrong mindset. Some are searching for shortcuts, hoping to receive a quick formula or spiritual “pill” at our conferences and trainings that will instantly grow their churches. But biblical church growth is not instant magic—it is spiritual labor. It is hard work, guided by grace and sustained by wisdom.
Unfortunately, many pastors today pursue church growth for the wrong reasons:
- For general head knowledge.
- To boast about their exposure and experience.
- To obtain certificates.
- To get new sermon materials.
- To impress others or relieve peer pressure.
These wrong motives hinder the proper assimilation and application of divine truth. As a result, the teachings are soon forgotten, and their churches return to decline. Let me share a few examples:
- A pastor who completed our courses, but whose church is now struggling to stay alive.
- Another minister, who received full scholarships for training, but never allowed the Word to transform his ministry.
- A student who continued in error, despite all he was taught.
- A prophet-in-training who disappeared because our teachings contradicted his manipulative practices.
Jesus explains in Matthew 13:18–22 that the issue is not with the seed or the sower, but with the condition of the soil—the heart receiving the Word.
B. TESTIMONIES THAT CHURCH GROWTH WORKS
Does biblical church growth truly yield results? Absolutely—yes! There are living proofs and verifiable testimonies.
- Our ministry, ICGM, is itself a product and evidence of church growth principles.
- Pastor Peter Defin in Midrand, South Africa, saw transformation.
- Pastor Iyiola and his Bible-based church grew tremendously.
- Pastor Sunday Adelaja built one of the largest churches in Ukraine.
- A pastor planted 14 thriving churches in Idiroko.
- Dr. Richard Udoh of Father’s House is another testimony.
- Dr. James Akanbi, Pastor Adebayo (Mount Carmel), Dr. Elijah Awosope, and Pastor Gideon Oladokun are just a few others.
These are real-life stories that confirm that church growth by God’s pattern is not theory—it works.
C. DIFFERENT CONDITIONS OF CHURCHES
Jesus’ messages to the seven churches in Revelation 2 and 3 reveal that He is deeply concerned about the spiritual condition of every local church. Sadly, today, about 90% of churches do not make significant impact in their communities or in the lives of members.
Churches can generally be categorized as follows:
- Sick Churches – 50%
- Diseased Churches – 30%
- Dying Churches – 15%
- Healthy Churches – Only 5%
Out of the seven churches in Revelation, only one was commended, one was encouraged, and five were sternly rebuked. This shows the urgent need for strengthening, revitalizing, and renewing many churches today (Acts 3:19–21). Pastors must humble themselves and seek help before their churches drift into spiritual decline.
D. KINGDOM GROWTH ACCORDING TO JESUS
The foundational principle of the Kingdom of God is growth (Matt. 13:31–33). Just as a mustard seed grows into a mighty tree, the kingdom must grow in individual hearts and nations until “the kingdoms of this world become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ” (Rev. 11:15).
Jesus’ growth mindset was clear:
- He rejects an empty house (Luke 14:18–23).
- He rejects a fig tree without fruit (Luke 13:6–9).
- He rejects proclamation without response (Luke 7:31–32).
- He rejects sowing without harvesting (Matt. 13:3–8).
- He rejects barrenness and fruitlessness (John 15:1–2).
Therefore, true church growth must be kingdom-centered, not just focused on numbers. We must pursue conversion growth—souls genuinely saved—not just biological additions or members transferred from other churches.
E. PASTORS WHO CANNOT LEAD A CHURCH TO GROWTH
The destiny of a church is tied to its pastor. Sadly, not every pastor can lead a church to real growth. From our years of training pastor-students, we have identified these types of pastors that hinder church progress:
- Prejudiced pastors – Closed-minded and unbelieving of church growth teachings.
- Maintenance pastors – Skilled at managing people, but lack the grace to expand.
- Uncalled pastors – In ministry for prestige, not divine assignment.
- Cursed pastors – Under spiritual or emotional curses, causing decay in ministry.
- Ministers out of place – Operating as pastors when they are evangelists or prophets.
- Uncreative pastors – Lack divine creativity and innovation.
- Traditional pastors – Cling to outdated customs that choke life out of the church.
- Comfortable pastors – Satisfied with average and resist stretching for more.
- Fearful pastors – Avoid risk and lack the courage to implement needed change.
- Non-growing pastors – Do not invest in their own personal development.
- Lazy pastors – Spiritually idle, without vision or drive.
- Burned-out or carnal pastors – Out of spiritual fuel, or secretly living in sin.
- Proud pastors – Pride shuts the door to divine grace (1 Pet. 5:5).
- Sinful pastors – Living in sin and expecting God to bless the work.
- Occultic pastors – With ties to darkness; they cannot experience God’s true increase.
- Pastors with wrong motives – Even with academic degrees, wrong intentions corrupt the outcome.
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F. CHURCHES THAT REJECT WHOLISTIC CHURCH GROWTH
Not every church desires total and biblical growth. Some desire only numerical, financial, or material increase—but reject scriptural, spiritual, and character-based growth. These churches are usually building their own kingdoms, not Christ’s.
Common types include:
- Family-controlled churches – Dominated by one family that resists outsiders.
- Ethnic/Tribal churches – Where tribalism and localism rule instead of kingdom mindset.
- Ultra-conservative churches – Resistant to change, and see church health as compromise.
- Prophetic-only churches – Emphasize prophecy at the expense of sound doctrine.
- Deliverance-only churches – Obsessed with demons, ignoring other kingdom teachings.
- Pastor-centered churches – Focused on the man of God’s charisma, not Christ.
- False churches – With strange doctrines, rituals, or mystical additions to the faith.
- Traditional churches – Controlled by man-made rules and religious rituals.
- Poorly led churches – Where incompetent leadership blocks growth and freshness.
Pastors and founders of such churches find it very hard to apply biblical church growth principles unless they are willing to repent and make necessary changes.
CONCLUSION
The local church is God’s instrument for changing communities and discipling nations. But for the Church to fulfill this mandate, pastors and leaders must embrace holistic, biblical church growth—spiritual, numerical, structural, and transformational growth. This demands humility, hard work, godly character, and a willingness to grow personally and corporately… May the Lord give grace to all who truly desire to see His Church flourish as He intended. Amen.