Ask most Christians what it takes to grow a church and most answers will have something to do with adding people. While it sounds prosperous, this is where most churches miss the mark. I have written about four areas of growth in a church as identified by Gene Mims. Unfortunately, most churches get these out of order – and it is costly to Christ’s church.

1. The first area of church health leading to growth is Spiritual Maturation. When both the individuals of a church and the church corporately are growing in their spiritual maturity certain things begin to happen, allowing the Holy Spirit to move in the lives of those who make up the church. Spiritual maturation does not happen without spiritual disciplines in the lives if individuals and through the actions and ministries within the church.
2. As the individual members of a church and the church corporately grow spiritually together, an awareness begins to unfold. Ministry Expansion is the natural outcome of spiritual maturation in any church. The speed, and levels of spiritual maturation along with the needs within the congregation and the community will determine the ministry expansion required. It could be more Bible study classes, expanded nursery and children’s areas, mentoring processes, or any number of others.
3. An outgrowth of ministry expansion is always Mission’s Awareness. As people in spiritual maturity, ministry expansion is needed to accommodate continual growth. As that growth continues, people become more aware of the needs in the community and around the world. As this awareness arises, the church must be prepared to equip members and present opportunities for mission fulfillment. When you see pockets of mission’s awareness rising up in your church, smile and know spiritual maturation is moving full steam ahead.
4. The fourth area of growth in the church is a by-product of the other three. When Spiritual Maturation is taking place among the members individually and corporately, Ministry Expansion is a natural outgrowth. With Ministry Expansion comes an inclination for Mission’s Awareness. As these three are clicking on all cylinders, the natural by-product is Numerical Growth. If you and I can talk someone into something, someone else can talk them out of it. Numerical growth of God’s church does not come through a program or series of events. Numerical growth comes only by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Does your church have the right order? Or are you continually contemplating how to get more people into the church building? Begin today with prayer, asking for God’s guidance in His super-natural process of building His church.

George Yates is an Organizational Health Strategist and coach, assisting churches, organizations, and individuals in pursuing God’s purpose for life. Click here to receive this blog in your email inbox each Tuesday.