How to Improve Church Attendance

One of the biggest concerns of church leaders and congregants is this: How can they boost their ranks? Although a larger church does not equal a better church, many of the things associated with larger churches -- a broader impact for the Gospel, an increase in ability to give to the community, additional options for church services and functions -- are certainly beneficial. While no template or mathematical formula through which a church will automatically grow exists, methods can be used to improve church attendance.

Instructions

1. Study Scripture. Before any church can really grow, it must be solidly founded. Check the pulse of the church by comparing it with Scripture: Are the church's practices biblically based? Is there any issue in which it seems the church has gotten off track from God's intentions laid out in Scripture? Ensure that the church is founded on God's Word.

2. Pray. The church is God's workmanship, and true spiritual growth in the church only comes at God's direction. Jesus tells his followers in Matthew 9:37-38, "The Harvest is abundant, but the workers few; beg, then, the Lord of the Harvest that he might send out workers for his harvest." Clearly, the Lord's intentions are for more to come into the Kingdom, but it requires the people of God asking for it to be done. Jim Cymbala says, "For our churches and ministries to be all God wants them to be, they must be saturated with prayer. No new revelation or church-growth technique will change the fact that spiritual power is always linked to communion with God. If you and I are prayerless, if our churches have no appetite for God's presence, we will never reach our full potential in him" (see References below).

3. Identify areas for growth. Each church must determine its own strengths and weaknesses. Emphasize the strengths, and strengthen the weaknesses. In addition, try to move your church from being internally focused to externally focused; work on reaching out to the community, not simply being a dormant part of it. Rick Rusaw notes, "People are looking for places of authenticity where the walk matches the talk -- where faith is making a difference" (see References below). When your church reaches out, people are attracted.

4. Develop a Plan. Figure out what the needs are in your community. Then align those purposes with God's purposes. Well-known pastor Rick Warren comments, "What is needed today are churches that are driven by purpose instead of by other forces" (see References below). While each church will differ in its outreach and approach, any church that hopes to improve attendance must allow purpose to drive everything it does. Instead of simply trying new things to see if they work, let your church's purpose determine what you do and how you do it.

Tips & Warnings

• Church growth has no template. Nothing can substitute for the Holy Spirit. You can use all the possible resources on church growth and never see your church grow. God is in charge, and you must learn to trust and rely on His guidance and power. Ask Him to make His church grow and plead that He will let you be a part of it.

References

• Jim Cymbala; "Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire"; 1997
• Rick Rusaw and Eric Swanson; "The Externally Focused Church, Loveland"; 2004
• Rick Warren; "The Purpose Driven Church"; 1995