Recently, I started an ongoing series of posts called Establishing Spiritual Disciplines. In this series, I’m looking at several key disciplines that you and I need to develop in our lives if we want to grow spiritually. These are individual disciplines, but the same holds true for church growth as well: If you want your church to grow, there must be certain healthy key characteristics present. If they aren’t there, the options are simple; either you grow these in your church, or you don’t grow at all.



Church growth is a funny animal. It seems like everyone is an expert and every book you read has a different strategy for success. In order for the church to grow, quite simply, the individuals in the church must be growing. But that’s only a part of it, too. There are things that must be in place at a corporate level as well.

Every other “expert” has an opinion on what those things are, and they may list a dozen different ideas, all of which are different from the next expert’s advice. Even so, I think there are a few essential keys that must be present in the life of the church, just as they are in the life of the individual, if you want to see some significant growth.

Be in love

Jesus told us that the greatest commandment is to love God with everything we have (Matthew 22:37-40). He then stated that the second greatest command is like it, to love others just as much as we love ourselves. Love is the first and highest priority that we have as disciples. If we are in love with Jesus, then love for others follows naturally. If love for others isn’t apparent, then our love for Christ is questionable. When love for Jesus and others is evident, then the church will grow, both spiritually and numerically.

Be the example

In order for the church to grow, the leaders must set the example in a variety of areas: moral integrity, humility, giving of time and finances, fasting, and praying. We recently saw God do some pretty incredible things at our church. We faced a financial situation, partially of our own making, that threatened to overwhelm us pretty easily. When we planned a special offering to help get us out of this, the weather turned bad, and the ice kept many people away that weekend. God still showed up in a very powerful way, and he simply blew us away. Someone later asked me why God would do such a thing in a small, out of the way town like ours. The answer is simple. Our leaders are praying men and women. They have been praying leaders for years, long before I came here as a minister. Their faithfulness in seeking God’s guidance resulted in God’s faithfulness in a way that displayed his glory for all to see.

Be confident

We have the ability to be confident because we have the Holy Spirit. Often referred to as the Counselor, the Holy Spirit resides in our lives, and gives us the assurance that we need to do God’s work in our communities. If you read though the book of Acts, you can see example after example of the church being led by the Spirit. The Holy Spirit does many different things in the church. He restores us. He comforts us. He guides us. He convicts us. He empowers us. He strengthens us. And he influences us. All of this gives us the confidence we need to stay faithful and serve.

Be focused

Acts 2:42-47 says this:

They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.

I want you to see what’s not listed in that passage. A dynamic preacher isn’t listed. A powerful praise band isn’t listed. A large, tailored building isn’t listed. A big screen and large projector aren’t listed. And the list could go on and on. But on the other hand, take a look at what is listed. They were devoted to the study of God’s Word, to breaking bread together, to fellowship, and to prayer.

What the early church realized is that it wasn’t about them. It’s always, only, about Jesus. Everything else is simply so much fluff. Is it nice to have those other things? Absolutely! And many times, they facilitate ministry, making it easier to accomplish many things. But those other things are never… never!… the focus. It’s always about Jesus.

Growing the church is the goal of every church out there. Taking the church, the people of the church, to the next level spiritually is the goal of every church. Or it should be. How we accomplish this is different for each and every church because each church is in a different context, with different circumstances, and with different people. But these four principles seem to be foundational for every church.

Your specific strategy may vary, but these four things must be in place for the church to grow. Otherwise, complacency will set in and any forward momentum will stall. Losing that momentum is a death knell for the local church, for any church. In order to avoid that, and in order to be effective and growing, these four principles are a must.

But when they are in place, watch out! It will be a wild and crazy ride with God at the wheel!

Are these four principles in place in your own church? If not, which one is missing? You can leave your thoughts in the comments section below.