How did KVFC grow by more than 600 people in six months? How have we reached record attendance in our church history by finally busting the 2,000 barrier on the weekend? Now moving toward 3000?
How did this happen since ... we are still preaching the same message—the word of faith and the spirit of faith—coming through Bible based line-upon-line teachings. We are still holding to our core beliefs and leaning on the power of the Holy Spirit. We are still offering heartfelt praise and worship where we go vertical in our hearts to God the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.
We still offer children's church, youth ministry, small groups, the Family Care Center where people receive biblical guidance and prayer for any need or challenge they face. We are still doing so many of the things we've always done ... so what's changed? What has suddenly attracted 600 people that did not previously attend KVFC?
Jesus is the best fisherman ... as we follow Him, He makes us fishers of men, right? He knows the fish ... He knows what they eat ... what "lures" them ... and how to set the hook! Our job is to follow Him and He gives us the innovative strategies for reaching multitudes of fish in our culture! That's what we've done ... that's what we've seen. So ... how? What's different about our approach, our "lures"?
In two words: Creative Arts.
In three words: Being Culturally Relevant.
In four words: Music, Jeans, Video, Aesthetics.
In five words: A commitment to intentional change.
In six words: Meeting with a creative team every week.
In seven words: Reinventing our methods while maintaining our message.
In eight words: Not being moved by the discontent or naysayers.
In nine words: Keeping our eyes on the fruit of more souls.
In ten words: Casting "get it" vision to the staff, leaders, and congregation.
Well ... the verdict is in:
It's working.
The Caveat: One little caveat ... in order to grow by 600, we had to be willing to lose about 100 people. That's what happened ... we lost about 100 people (including kids and teens) and we gained over 700 people that are either lost, broken, addicted or mature believers with a passion for reaching the lost ... the net: 600 new people!
Pastors ... what would you choose? Maintain the status quo ... keep doing the things you've always done and have the results you've always had and keep all of your existing people happy ... or rattle the cage a bit, make changes to connect with the culture for the purpose of bringing them to Christ and into a deeper understanding of His Word, see new people flock to the church but run the risk of losing some of your faithful members?
It's not easy to lose people ... no one wants to see church members say "adios" ... but the trade off for eternity is definitely worth it. Here's the bottom line ... we believe that God sets people in the Body—in the Church—as it pleases Him. It's always been our hearts’ desire that people are in the church God wants them in, in the season God wants them there, receiving and giving the things God wants them to receive and give.
Sure, you maybe have to lose some people to gain even more, but Jesus is the Head of the Body and He knows where people fit the best. At KVFC, we've had some great people leave ... great Christians, good hearts, genuine, sincere people ... but their season at KVFC was over. Although it's not always easy to say goodbye to people you have come to love and appreciate ... it's always good in the end—and especially good when the result is that more and more people are reached, growing and maturing in Christ!
So, if as a pastor you have a "holy discontent" (as one pastor described it to us) ... and are eager to get the gospel to more and more people ... consider these 10 Church Growth Factors.
I have become all things to all men in order to win them to Christ ... (1 Corinthians 9)
Copyright © 2007 Beth Jones Ministries All rights reserved.
