2. Keep ’em
Seriously, though… I spent a lot of time deconstructing what we do in our church, and the plans of several other successful church plants and growing churches. I ended up bringing it all down to the lowest common denominators, and ended up with two solid principles to church growth.
1. Attracting new guests to the church and its points of connection, and
2. Employing a capable structure of converting and keeping those who come.
Is it really that simple? I think so.
In fact, the growth we have seen has been a direct result of the amount of attracting and keeping that we have done. The more people that come through the church doors, the more we have opportunity to keep. Simple as that.
Now, there are definitely secrets, systems, programs, etc. that can enhance this and ensure a higher success rate of conversions and matriculation, but the simplest concept to grasp is to get as many people as possible into the church, and do as much as can be done to keep those who come.
Systems and programs, etc. will be helpful, but even the most unorganized church can see growth if they just DO those two important things.
What do you think?