In Preaching Articles: "Barriers To Growth"

Do We Need A broader Definition Of Church Growth?

By Karl Vaters on Oct 12, 2023

Any definition of church growth that doesn’t allow for, even celebrate, churches that contribute in non-numerical ways is incomplete.

Tags: Church Growth, priorities, pastoral leadership, First Things First, Right Values  (view more)  (view less)

What If We Made Disciples And Left Church Growth To God?

By Karl Vaters on Sep 5, 2022

If we prioritized health, not as a means to growth, but as an end in itself, would we be in a greater position to represent Jesus to the world?

Tags: great commission, pastoral leadership, church ministry, Growth Strategy, Equip the Saints, Discipleship, Church Growth, Make Disciples  (view more)  (view less)

Eugene Peterson On Pastors, Preaching, And Consumer Culture

By Eugene Peterson on Jul 13, 2021

"I grew up in a culture which was very entertainment-centered. Pastors were really good storytellers, and they were attractive people, glamorous."

Tags: Growth, Preaching, Growth in Christ

The Top 3 Reasons Church Growth Ideas Usually Fail In Smaller Churches

By Karl Vaters on Aug 30, 2022

We're often told that small churches are failing at church growth. But sometimes church growth ideas are failing in smaller churches.

Tags: Church Growth, Context, pastoral leadership, Church Attendance, church ministry, rural church, Growth Strategy, Urban Church, context, church attendance  (view more)  (view less)

Five Ways To Keep Your Church Small And How To Overcome Them

By Dr. Larry Moyer on Jul 17, 2020

God wants a church to grow because it's winning the lost to Christ and discipling them to reach others.

Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:7

Tags: Preaching, Church Growth, Growth in Christ

Was Jesus Numerically Challenged?

By Ray Hollenbach on Jun 28, 2020

Do numbers alone tell the story of success? What kind of numbers caught Jesus' attention?

Tags: Growth, Preaching, number, Growth in Christ

10 Multisite Myths (And Realities)

By Jim Egli on Nov 1, 2020

Some preachers resist the idea of multiple sites. But what if technology increases your effectiveness?

Tags: Growth in Christ, Church, Growth, Missions, Multisite  (view more)  (view less)

Growing A Church

By Barry O. Johnson on Aug 18, 2024

Should church growth be our focus?

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 10:12, Matthew 28:20

Tags: Discipleship, Preaching, Church Growth, glorifying God, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Three Root Causes Of Stalled Spiritual Transformation

By Thom Rainer on Mar 4, 2020

Why does spiritual growth sometimes stall out in believers? Thom Rainer offers his view and solutions from a study of the Corinthian church.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:1-3

Tags: Spirit, Church, Growth, Discipleship, Preaching, Transformation, Growth in Christ  (view more)  (view less)

5 Top Priorities For Increasing Your Church

By Charles Arn on Jan 10, 2025

Whether you’re in a church of 20 or 20,000, these principles will help you to invest the talents God has given to your church.

Scripture: Matthew 25:14-30

Tags: Growth, Discipleship, leadership, pastor, Church Growth, Pastor, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

Is Your Church Stuck Or Just Small?

By SermonCentral .com on Aug 10, 2025

If your church is healthy, quit stressing about getting bigger. God may not be calling you to bigness.

Scripture: Acts 1:1-15

Tags: Healthy Church, effective, Small Church, Growth, Church Growth  (view more)  (view less)

3 Reasons Pastors Don't Connect With Millennials

By Tyler Braun on Sep 9, 2020

Can your preaching reach the up-and-coming generations? Tyler Braun points out the most common barriers.

Tags: preaching, Youth, Preaching, Relevant

7 Things That Get Harder As Your Church Grows

By Carey Nieuwhof on Nov 6, 2023

Ever think that growth will solve all your problems?

Tags: leadership, Church Growth, Focus on Numbers, Elias livingstone, Leadership, Healthy Church, pastoral leadership, church ministry, church problems, church priorities, Effective Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

Preaching Tip: Encourage Your Audience

By Peter Mead on Mar 24, 2020

Everyone needs encouragement. And yet, strangely, it's often absent from a significant amount of preaching.

Scripture: Proverbs 29:25, Romans 15:4-5

Tags: Preaching, encouragement, Church Growth

Check Your Church's Outreach Heartbeat

By Kevin Harney on Mar 16, 2025

If your church is struggling to invest in reaching your community and the world, ask yourself this question: Are we a church that is on fire with a passion for God?

Scripture: Revelation 2:1

Tags: Faith, Heart, Growth, Health