Small churches almost always experience growth constraints when they want to grow because of the rigidity of the congregational management system, especially when they have to be able to serve more and more congregations who come to church. To overcome this obstacle, you have to start thinking wisely. Start by restructuring the church leadership and restructuring the church as a whole so that it can meet the needs of a large church before the congregation grows.
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Method 1 of 3: Think Wisely
Step 1. Believe that God wants your church to grow
If there are obstacles that must be overcome because they are hindering the growth of your church, rest assured that God wants these obstacles to be removed. But before you can be sure, try to listen to God's voice and believe that the problems associated with this development are God's will for your church as well.
There are two belief systems related to church size. First, God always wants all churches to thrive. Second, God needs and will always provide a place for churches large and small. Regardless of the size of your church, if your church can grow, rest assured that your efforts to overcome this growth constraint are what God specifically wants for your church
Step 2. Determine your stance
Once you are sure that God wants to grow your church, take a firm stand in your own desire to see your church grow.
- Your idea of growing the church can make church leaders feel less active and complacent. Overcoming obstacles that hinder growth is a tough job, and it's not always easy.
- Because fear can be so strong and powerful, if you let it control you, there will be nothing you can do about it. Once you've made the decision to start growing your church, stick to it. The church must thrive not on your opinions but on the basis of your beliefs.
Step 3. Provide sufficient space
As long as there are a few empty seats each Sunday, you might assume there's enough room. However, if the congregation in your church has reached 70 percent of the existing seating capacity, they may not want to come again and no longer worship regularly here.
- Determine how many seats there are in the main worship room and multiply by 0, 7. Compare the number with the average congregation in attendance over the past month. If last month's attendance percentage exceeded 70 percent of the available seats, it's time to expand the worship space in your church.
- Expand according to the resources you have. You may need to move to a larger building or expand an existing building.
Step 4. Expand the worship schedule
If the worship space is getting full and physical expansion of the building is not an option, the best way to do that is to increase the worship schedule.
Be aware that the problem of limited space will not be solved this way alone, although it can help. People will prefer to worship according to their usual schedule, so the new worship schedule is often less crowded than the existing schedule. A church with 120 regular congregations, 100 people may still worship according to the usual schedule and only 20 people who want to switch to the new worship schedule
Step 5. Hire more staff
Bigger churches will need more staff. It makes sense to wait until the church is finished expanding before you start recruiting, but it's actually a lot better if you've already recruited the new staff you'll need ahead of time.
Financial conditions may limit the number of new staff you can recruit. Start by filling in the positions that feel most crucial to the growth of your church. If the church's financial condition begins to improve, immediately recruit more staff, even though the long-term budget projections are not high enough
Step 6. Learn from other congregations in your area
Look for a larger, more advanced church in your area, even if this church belongs to another denomination. Attend their services and talk to the pastor and staff of this church.
Once you know what a growing church in your area is doing to overcome obstacles, you can use the same strategy for your own church. You don't have to and don't have to do it exactly the same way, but try incorporating some of their ideas into your own church structure
Step 7. Manage your church finances well
Growing a church costs a lot of money. You must have faith that God will provide the funds needed, but you must also be able to be the best supervisor of the sources of funds you receive.
If no one on the church staff is an expert in managing finances, you will have to hire someone else. Ideally you have a full-time finance clerk, but you can also contract to use a financial consultant, if this will suit your church budget more
Step 8. Prepare to face problems
During this period of development, everyone from the pastor to the newest member may find it difficult to adjust to the changes that are taking place.
- Pastors also often have to struggle to fit in because they feel they have less control and less personal interaction.
- Congregational members may feel that their church is no longer their “comfortable home” and may oppose the changes being made.
- As the church grows, leaders must prepare for the changes that will occur. These leaders must also come from members of the congregation and be able to encourage other members.
Method 2 of 3: Reorganizing Church Leadership
Step 1. Appoint a pastor as leader
A pastor must be able to lead the church during its development. Usually this also means that a pastor must be able to grow with the church he leads and must be able to adapt to have a leader's mindset.
- This priest must be able to carry out his role as a servant as well as a leader. As a minister, a pastor must be able to respond to the needs of others. As a leader, a pastor must be able to take the initiative if it is not possible to first consult with others.
- Learn about topics related to the development of church logistics. Learn how to meet the needs of the church in terms of ministry and how to raise money. Do some time management research and learn how to balance your resources.
- Take time to read ministry-related topics such as theology, church history, and the Bible. Make a commitment to reading with a specific target, such as one book every month or two.
- Pastors can also benefit from attending conferences and meetings with mentors in the area of church leadership.
Step 2. Form a pastor care team
In a small church, the pastor can manage the church business while still serving each member of the congregation. However, as the church grows, a pastor also needs a pastoral care team to assist the ministry when he is unable to work.
- Sometimes, you will have to recruit an assistant for the pastor in order to formally meet the pastoral needs of your church.
- The pastoral care team may also consist of lay ministers who have received special education. Lay people in this congregation are not allowed to preach and teach, but they can help with worship, visit the sick, and lead small groups.
Step 3. Stop managing churches on a small scale
The board of directors in your church must be prepared to manage the larger organization. Church councils supported by members who understand the details of small church organizations will be able to try to adapt to the needs of large churches.
When accepting people on the board, remember that they must be prepared for higher budgets, larger systems, and larger staff sizes
Method 3 of 3: Restructuring the Church
Step 1. Create new groups
A thriving church is a very active church, and a very active church usually offers a wide range of activities and groups that members and congregations can engage with.
- These groups don't have to be large, and don't even have to meet the requirements set by the church.
- You will need to form several groups with different criteria in order to meet any need. Form different groups based on age, environment, and interests.
- Organize the people in the church according to their abilities. Get to know your staff, volunteers, and your congregation. Find out what skills and talents each person in your church can impart, and then develop a program related to these abilities.
Step 2. Develop worship services
Prepare the type of worship service that you will need, not the service you need right now. It will be easier to attract more people if you already have a service schedule set up for this need.
- Try to make worship more vibrant and sermons more interesting. Create an atmosphere of joy that you will have a bigger church.
- Ask for feedback on church ministry. Look for ways to assess the ministry of the church through the eyes of the guests and the congregation who regularly worship, then adjust the ministry to the needs of the congregation.
Step 3. Direct your attention outward
An inward-focused program for members of the congregation at this time is very important, but if the program is focused on only a few community members, you will not be able to attract new people to join the community.
Expand your reach by teaching evangelization and telling stories about inviting people to church. All members of staff and congregations should be challenged to invite their friends
Step 4. Ask yourself how to make the idea come true
When someone proposes a new idea that can support the growth of the church, the leadership should automatically start thinking of ways to make it happen.
- The church leadership team who immediately assumes that new ideas cannot be realized has no vision, and a church without a vision will be difficult to develop.
- Of course you should evaluate each new idea honestly. People who clearly don't want to help should be ignored, but those who are willing to help but are having a hard time should be looked after.
Step 5. Consider organizing a major event carefully
Some churches plan several major activities during the year to create community interest. This method can give positive results, but is often not optimal.
- The congregation will usually come for a few weeks after the activity. However, with time, visitors and new congregations will no longer be interested and will not come again, so that the number of congregations will fall again.
- Major activities in the church usually succeed in overcoming developmental barriers only if they are carried out in a way that retains the interest of the congregation after they are attracted to come together at the initial time.
