Churches Should Try These Effective Growth Strategies 

Most Churches have several missions, but the most important one is arguably to deepen the connection between oneself and God. This is known as faith-building. But due to the technological age, fewer people seem to be going to church every week. While times may seem desperate, there are many different things leadership can do to incite more excitement within the local religious community. 

 

Recognize Your Purpose

 

The local parish serves mainly to act as a safe gathering place to worship God and to preach the Gospel. By consistently fulfilling these two goals, a strong community could be formed. It is with this devout community that annual traditions and long-term growth could be achieved. Why? Because we humans are social beings and our love for Him gives us strength in everyday life. We rally around Him for purpose and a community of like individuals to share our joys and sorrows and doubts and excitement will only serve to maintain lasting traditions. 

 

Bring in More Members

 

Constantly introducing more followers of Christ to your place of worship is key to long-term sustainability. This notion is likely obvious, but to execute it seems to be difficult for some communities. People are constantly moving and setting down new roots in new places. However, the easiest way to ensure long-term commitment from your community members is to help create traditions for families. 

 

  • Work together with the local school districts to host community events, such as yard sales or bake sales. Because public schools can not promote your church, use the opportunity to invite members of the school community into your building for refreshments. Have signs that promote the evening’s sermon topic. 
  • Host events yourself, such as an Easter egg hunt during Easter or an annual summer barbeque. Enlist supplies from the community to generate buzz. 
  • The best way to draw the parents’ attention is to get the attention of their children, so try hosting events that are targeted toward the younger community members, such as Halloween decorating contests or Christmas gingerbread house making contests. Kids love sweets.

 

What Can You Do for the Community?

 

Besides acting as a place of worship, think about what your Christian community can do for the physical community. One’s time is important and when someone chooses to spend it at your place worshiping Christ, that isn’t an insignificant sacrifice for that individual.                                                                                                

 

  • Offer community service opportunities, such as neighborhood trash pick-ups, free car washes or food drives. This is also an excellent way to get students involved as lots of school districts around the country require service learning hours to graduate high school. 
  • Team up with local businesses, such as a criminal defense attorney in Minneapolis,  to host events, such as pop-up orchestra concerts and make use of the parking spaces for large events, such as fairs. 
  • Work together with the local government to host blood drives or, as exemplified by the events of 2020, to host free mass vaccination clinics. 

 

Foster and Develop Future Leaders

 

Our future will be decided by today’s youth, so development of leadership skills is imperative. The church is not only a place to develop relationships with God but also to develop one’s self. By using sermons with messages that preach values that many leaders around the world have, you can foster the next generation of leaders.

 

  • Host a weekly sermon specifically targeted toward developing characteristics and qualities of leaders and make it for those under 18. Also consider bringing in a guest speaker occasionally and have him or her talk about what it’s like to lead either a local workforce or on running a local business. It’s important to have real-life examples to talk about at these sermons.
  • Offer service trips that are aimed at giving back to the community or teach personal growth, such as camping and hiking. Jesus suffered and still suffers eternally for our current and future sins. Tasks that require hardwork and perseverance can be great methods when attempting to teach leadership.

 

Physical Appearance Matters

 

The physical appearance of the church matters. Make sure there are big signs that advertise the church’s hours. Is the church open 24/7 or does it close at 8 o’clock at night? Are there lamps to illuminate the parking lot at night and the building, so it is visible from the road? Physical presence matters as people’s eyes are drawn to the brightest thing. Also, consider investing in an electronic billboard sign that can be updated to promote seasonal events or weekly sermons. Reminding the community that the church is open to anyone in need is imperative. Inside the church, light candles to show reverence for God’s presence.

 

Don’t forget your parking spaces either. As previously mentioned, ensuring that it is well lit at night will ease some people who are weary of walking alone at night. Bright lights (and many of them too) also look more welcoming than a single street lamp. Are the lines clearly painted or do they look worn-down and barely visible? To bring in more churchgoers, it is essential that you can even host more churchgoers so do not neglect the physical appearance of the parking lot.

 

Be Persistent 

 

It will take time to grow your church but do not despair. Remember that God is with all of us. To spread the Gospel is one of the most important things a church can do, and as long as that mission is actively being achieved and followed, then future success will always come. 

 

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