Principles for Developing a Church Growth Vision

1. Principles for Developing a Church Growth Vision By James A. Cress

2. Vision = More Than Sight! Some people see things as they are and ask why? Other see things as they could be and ask why not! -- Robert F. Kennedy

3. 1. Intentionality • God expects the church to grow (Acts 2). • Growth is not a numbers game! But God is interested in numbers • Church is not the church if it is not growing!

4. 2. Dissatisfaction with Status Quo • If all is okay, why still here? • A great heritage and marvelous history 1949 1 million members worldwide 2009 20 million members worldwide • But we are still here! What should we be doing differently?

5. 3. Analytical Analysis • Not salvation by number-crunching • Who have you got? • What is working? • What is not working? 1. Unconscious ineffectiveness 2. Conscious ineffectiveness 3. Unconscious effectiveness 4. Conscious effectiveness 5. Naturalized effectiveness

6. 4. Target Best Potentials = Positioning • Youth vs. aged • Win a youth, win a multiplication table • No one power group controls • On-going repositioning is essential • Population demographics determine mission tactics (i.e. Paul’s different approaches).

7. 5. Build on Strengths • Slogan: The Caring Church • Nobody believed – not even the members • Seventh-day Adventists . . . When you’re looking for answers! • ADRA - You can trust > than “they care” • Build on strengths: Adventists not charismatics

8. 6. Pastoral Tenure • 21 years experience • Live through and resolve problems vs. escape

9. 7. Emphasize Spiritual Growth • Bible Study • Prayer • Fellowship • Witnessing • Obedience

10. 8. Consistent Preaching • Christ-centered • No surprises • Listener-focused • Take home value • Certainty – preach “as if” • Study your questions, of course. • Don’t take your questions into the pulpit!

11. 9. Invitations • Response cards • Pew card summary • Spiritual business • Public invitations • Invite “an appointment” • Easy to say “Yes” I would like to be baptized I request a pastoral visit

12. 10. Big Deals • Baby Dedications • Baptismal Services • Anniversaries • Friends’ Day • Honor Teachers • Visitor Recognition

13. 11. Advertise • Sabbath Worship Service – Advertise – Weekly newsletter, paper, radio, television Sermon series • Best evangelistic opportunity • Complimentary advertising • Pastoral business cards for your leaders • Announce: Open Communion Public Baptism Annual Homecoming Free Lunch

14. 12. Dynamic Worship • Creatively Dynamic • Need not be radical! • Timeliness Cut extraneous Time Czar Emphasize essentials Mail bulletins

15. 13. Inclusive Reckoning as Outreach Method Non-Believers Attending Believers Attending Believers Non-Attending Non-Believers Non-Attending

16. 14. Small Group Ministries • Pastor’s Work = “work the members” • Pastors Method = “lead the leaders!” • Small Group Effectiveness Factors: • Word • Worship • Fellowship • Service

17. 15. Leaders Who Lead! • Not an enabler who says, Here I am, What do you want me to do? • Not a facilitator who says, Figure out what you want to do and I’ll help you get there. • Rather . . . A leader who says, “This is where God wants us to go . . . Follow me as I follow Christ! • Assume responsibility for growth • Work hard • Share ministry • Not paralyzed by pessimists – some members cannot be pastored • Invest time, energy and money in training Self – continuing education Leaders – for responsible service Members – increased world view

18. 16. Followers Who Follow • Willing to follow the leader. • Expect pastoral ranchers more than shepherds • Pay the price for following • Readjust fellowship patterns – assimilate new • Open up leadership opportunities • Intentionally include youth and newcomers • Rather youth not attend than sing

19. 17. Administrators who value local congregation more than structure • Tip O’Neill -- All politics is local • Resource sharing • Key Result Areas (KRA) as base for appropriations • Performance Standards

20. 18. Global Worldview = Mission