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    Your Church’s Physical Location Has Little to Do With Growth

    So what was the biggest break through then, for these churches? According to Dr. Rainer, they all had an outward focus. "If there is any one basic lesson, it is to lead the church to an outward focus. The great majority of churches in America are focused on their own needs and desires."



    Dr. Rainer found that an external focus is fundamental for church health and church growth. He said his research continues to reinforce those sorts of essentials. "In essence, the research continues to remind the church to get back to basics," he said. "While we should seek to be cutting-edge in our ministries and methodologies, we should not neglect basic and biblical principles for church health. The biggest news is that God is not done with our churches. Through the stories of 13 remarkable churches, we see God?s possibilities for so many churches in our nation and our world."



    What do you think? What is more important: location or focus; neighborhood or mission? How has your church seen break throughs in this area?

    Did you know that the growth and health of your church has little to do with your physical location? Church health specialist Dr. Thom Rainer recently studied 13 mediocre congregations that grew to become vibrant, healthy churches without changing pastors. To his surprise, he discovered that there was little correlation between location and growth. “One of the surprises was that the location of a church had almost nothing to do with the struggles and subsequent breakout of these churches,” Rainer said. “Some of the churches have great locations demographically, but others have lousy locations.”


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    1. Fred on Mon, September 20, 2004

      What I think many pastors, church planters, and leaders forget is that God designated the church as a place where He communicates with His people. It is not a club or a social setting that should be tailored to accommodate the interests of man. Rather, it is a place where the activity should cater to the heart and desire of God. It doesn’t mean we don’t witness, extend ourselves to the lost, and show love in its various forms. It does mean I’m not looking at social trends and cultural shifts to dictate how our church worships God. Those things are helpful in terms of our witnessing.

      Ask yourself this question: What kind of Christian is not a seeker? Sometimes I think we’re moving the ark with the people’s approval, but without hearing from heaven (1 Chron. 13:2)

       

    2. WADE on Mon, September 20, 2004

      the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few. our father sacrificed one for the good of the many. world missions starts at your front door step. internal conflicts promotes external conflicts which clouds who he really is. isn’t it really all about him and not us.

    3. Dan Moore on Mon, September 20, 2004

      The church is people.  Period.  It is made up of people who are connected by salvation, love for God and each other.  With that in mind, location is really a matter of “Let’s get together.”  Our culture seems to dictate to Christians that church is a building and thus location seems to take center in our thinking.  What I have learned is that people will join a church not because a building is on the corner - it is first because someone loved and cared enough to invite them along.  Relationships build a church - not location.

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