UNDERSTANDING CHURCH GROWTH: Understanding Church Growth With Ease

Understanding is the key to outstanding results in ministry. As the Bible says in Proverbs 4:7, “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.”

Church growth is not a mystery—it is not magical or superstitious. Church growth is practical, scriptural, and spiritual. God has laid down divine principles for church growth. Those who follow these principles see results; but those who violate them often struggle.

To grasp church growth effectively, the first thing a pastor or church worker needs is “an understanding heart.” And an understanding heart comes from an open and teachable spirit. A closed mind leads to a closed future in ministry.

SCRIPTURAL FOUNDATION:

• Psalm 90:12–14
• Isaiah 60:22
• Acts 2:41
• Acts 4:4

CHURCH GROWTH BEGINS WITH A STRONG FOUNDATION

Church growth, in formal terms, is the careful and prayerful study of how the Church—God’s house—functions and flourishes in fulfilling the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19–20).

The word “Church” comes from the Greek word “Ekklesia” which means “the called out ones” (Colossians 1:12–14).

The Church is:

• The congregation of the redeemed
• A living, breathing spiritual organism
• The gathering of saints
• The Body of Christ on earth

Just like every living thing, the Church must grow. Growth is the proof of life. When we do the right things in the right way—spiritually, administratively, and pastorally—growth becomes inevitable.

AREAS OF CHURCH GROWTH

Church growth isn’t only about numbers. It is holistic and touches every part of church life. Here are the 10 vital areas:

1. Spiritual Growth (3 John 2): This is the root of all true growth. Members must be genuinely born again, sanctified, and discipled in Christ.
2. Numerical Growth (Acts 2:41): Souls must be won, discipled, and added to the Church.
3. Social Growth: The Church should maintain healthy relationships inside and outside the body. This builds a godly image.
4. Material Growth: From poor beginnings, the Church must progress. Things like chairs, instruments, and facilities must improve over time.
5. Financial Growth: Members must prosper financially. A growing church should also grow in mission funding.
6. Physical Growth: The physical environment of the Church should not be outdated or unkempt.
7. Extension Growth: The Church must plant new churches, train and release people into missions.
8. Church Health: The Church should be vibrant, not spiritually or emotionally sick.
9. Mental Growth: Members should grow in godly wisdom, biblical knowledge, and societal understanding.
10. Administrative Growth (Acts 6:1–7): As the Church grows, structure and organization must evolve and adapt.

UNDERSTANDING THE CHURCH LIFE

The Church is patterned after God Himself. Just as God is a Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), the Church also functions in three interconnected dimensions:

1. Contextual Life: The Church’s environment—location, building, community, and atmosphere.
2. Spiritual Life: The Church’s inner life—prayer, worship, the Word, sanctification, and holiness.
3. Institutional Life: The structure, leadership, and administrative systems of the Church.

MYTHS AND MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT CHURCH GROWTH

There are many wrong beliefs among pastors and leaders. Let’s examine and correct a few of them:

1. “My church will grow if I have money.”
   Money is necessary, but purpose comes before provision. Church growth starts with vision and divine assignment.
2. “My members and workers are the reason for non-growth.”
   Leadership is key. As John Maxwell says, “Everything rises and falls on leadership.”
3. “Satan is stopping my church from growing.”
   You have spiritual authority. Use it! (Luke 10:19)
4. “My church won’t grow because the area is hard.”
   Hard grounds produce lasting fruits if you are faithful. (Acts 8:1–4)
5. “I preach only the truth; that’s why they don’t come.”
   Truth sets people free—not drives them away. Share the truth in love and wisdom.
6. “I’m not intellectual enough for church growth.”
   Peter was uneducated, yet he led a revival. Anointing and obedience matter more than intellect.
7. “Those whose churches grow are using mystical powers.”
   The apostles grew the Church through the Holy Spirit, not magic. Stick with the Holy Ghost!
8. “All I need is anointing.”
   Anointing is vital, but not enough. You need wisdom, planning, and discipline.
9. “Once I build a beautiful church building, people will come.”
   A building without a spiritual foundation is just a hall.

Recommended Reading
Planting A House Fellowship Church
Developing The Fruits of the Spirit
Preparing To Go Into Marriage…For Singles

WHAT DOES CHURCH GROWTH RESPOND TO?

1. Pursuit of Divine Purpose (Proverbs 29:18; Habakkuk 2:1–2):
   What you see in the Spirit is what you’ll experience physically.
   • Small vision = small church
   • Medium vision = medium church
   • Mega vision = mega church

You must pursue the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18–20).

2. Great Commission Breakdown:
   • Focus on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2; John 12:32)
   • Find the lost (evangelism)
   • Friend the sinner (follow-up)
   • Fight Satan (intercession, warfare)
   • Fold in the found (membership)
   • Feed them the Word (discipleship)
   • Fill them with spiritual gifts (impartation)
   • Field them out into the world (missions)
3. Goal Setting & Planning (Luke 14:30):
   Without clear goals, there’s no direction. Without direction, there’s no destination.
4. Growth Attitude (Philippians 2:5):
   Your attitude determines your church’s altitude. Negative mindset = growth limitation.
5. Personal Growth:
   Your personal development as a pastor or worker determines your ministry impact. Your life fuels the church life.
6. Use of Strategy (1 Corinthians 1:24; Ecclesiastes 10:10; Proverbs 4:7):
   Wisdom and strategy are powerful. They prevent unnecessary losses and drive growth.
7. Dependence on the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8; Acts 2):
   He empowers, leads, and causes the Church to grow supernaturally.
8. Divine Location (Psalm 1:1–3):
   Where God plants you is where He will bless you. Stay in your God-ordained field.
9. Unity of Purpose:
   Both leaders and members must desire growth and be willing to pay the price.
10. Effective Communication (Habakkuk 2:1–3):
    Vision without communication is wasted. Communication turns vision into mission.
11. Effective Church Administration (Acts 6:1–7; 1 Corinthians 12:1–2):
    Good administration keeps people, while the anointing draws them in.
12. Growth-Driven Prayers (1 Thessalonians 5:17):
    Intercession, prophetic prayer, warfare prayers, and prayer of faith fuel growth.
13. Dynamic Leadership (Psalm 23:1–2):
14. Purposeful
15. Godly
16. Servant-hearted
17. Skillful
18. Practical
19. Discipleship Process (1 John 2:12–14):
20. New Convert Class
21. Baptismal Class
22. Membership Class
23. Leadership Training
24. Cell System:
    Every living body grows by cells. Strengthen all church arms:
25. Children
26. Youth
27. Women
28. Men

16. Good Time Management (Ecclesiastes 3:1, 9, 11):
    Timing and season matter in ministry.
17. Program-Based Growth:
    Spirit-led church programs are like midwives—they help birth vision.
18. Mercy and Grace (Hebrews 4:12; Titus 2:11):
    Grace opens doors that effort alone cannot. Humility releases grace (1 Peter 5:5).
19. Community Outreach (Acts 1:8):
    Start from your “Jerusalem” and move outward:
20. Jerusalem (your local area)
21. Judea
22. Samaria
23. The ends of the earth

20. Spiritual Mapping and Warfare (1 Kings 2:19–22):
    Just as a doctor diagnoses with X-rays, pastors must discern the spiritual atmosphere.
21. Progressive Change:
    Change is constant. Refusing to grow leads to decline. Embrace Holy Spirit–led transformation.