17 Signs of a Fast Growing Church

Posted on January 06, 2011
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Are there indicators that your church may be ready for a period of sustained growth? Brian Dodd takes a look at the subject and comes up with 17 signs of a fast growing church. Here are a few to get you thinking:

#1 Fast Growing Churches Are Unashamed To Preach Jesus - It is a common misconception that large churches water down the gospel.

#4 Fast Growing Churches Have Stable, Unified Senior Leadership

#8 Fast Growing Churches Have Ministry Needs That Outpace Ministry Resources – Another common false belief is that churches only want your money. Many young families come to a church with a house note that stretches them, two car payments, and credit card debt.

#10 Fast Growing Churches Connect Every Ministry Activity Back To The Overall Vision – Successful ministries tie everything back to the big picture for their people. Mistakes can be made when the various elements of ministry seem disconnected and autonomous.

#14 Fast Growing Churches Have A Congregation That Trusts The Leadership

#16 Fast Growing Churches Are Passionate About Unchurched People - No perfect people are allowed at fast growing churches!

You can see the rest of the list here.

What do YOU think? Do you agree or disagree with Brian's 17 points?

If your church is growing fast (or you've been a part of a fast-growing church in the past), why did it grow? What was the tipping point for growth?

I'd love to hear your input...

Todd

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Comments

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CS on Thu, January 06, 2011

“Fast Growing Churches Are Unashamed To Preach Jesus - It is a common misconception that large churches water down the gospel.”

I would say that evidence often points to the contrary. I can name a number of churches that had rapid growth, large crowds, or tout huge influxes, yet clearly water down or avoid the Gospel altogether.

Do you want to know the best sign of a fast-growing church? There’s more people there next week, on average, than there were last week.

—
CS
Becky on Thu, January 06, 2011

I think Brian has it right, I agree. I also believe that where there is no vision the people perish and you have a dead church; but when there is vision it seems it’s a growing and alive church.
Mitch Fox on Sat, January 08, 2011

The Church at South Las Vegas with lead Pastor Benny Perez grew from approximately 3400 in 2009 to 4200 in 2010. We also had 2500 hands lifted for Christ. We just preach Jesus and are organically multi-ethnic, multi-economic and multi-generational. Pastor Benny has enough faith to believe that God can grow a church in the midst of “Sin City”...Las Vegas, Nevada.
BB on Mon, January 10, 2011

We attend Church of the Highlands in Birmingham, AL and each of the characteristics listed in the article are quite visible in our church.
Donald Ferm on Wed, January 12, 2011

This reflects where my church is now, after a very difficult journey, and I’m excited to say that we appear to be moving into a good period in the life of what was a dying church.
Kimber on Wed, February 02, 2011

1. Fast growing churches make it obvious that their member’s donations are spent on activities which benefit every member and visitor of the church.

2. Fast growing churches organize a LOT of community oriented activities which easily expand their member base.