In Preaching Articles: "Obstacles To Growth"

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

By Karl Vaters on Aug 31, 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 18, 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 29, 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 2, 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)

3 Ways Great Leaders Handle Tough Circumstances Differently

By Carey Nieuwhof on Dec 8, 2023

If you want to imitate the great leaders when you face challenging situations, do these three things.

Scripture: Deuteronomy 32:11, Psalm 62:5, Philippians 3:12

Tags: Tough Circumstances, Mindset, Leadership, leadership, success, Obstacles, opposition, pastoral leadership, church leadership  (view more)  (view less)

Growing A Church

By Barry O. Johnson on Aug 19, 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)

The Top 8 Reasons Most Churches Never Break The 200 Attendance Mark

By Carey Nieuwhof on Dec 26, 2023

Why is it that most churches never break the 200 attendance mark?

Tags: Growth Strategy, Church Growth, Barriers, pastoral leadership, Pastoral Ministry, church ministry, Barriers to Growth  (view more)  (view less)

Three Root Causes Of Stalled Spiritual Transformation

By Thom Rainer on Mar 5, 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 11, 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 11, 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)

Building A Preaching Team – Part Ii: Calendars, Rhythms And Getting Everyone On The Same Page

By Ross Lester on May 14, 2024

Many people are intrigued but leery of using a preaching team approach. This article aims to provide some practical answers to the obstacles involved in the process.

Tags: Teaching, Preaching, Preaching Help, Pastoral Ministry, Pulpit Ministry, church ministry, Preaching Team, Ministry help, preaching, teaching  (view more)  (view less)

7 Things That Get Harder As Your Church Grows

By Carey Nieuwhof on Nov 7, 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 25, 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 17, 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

Why Was I So Hard On That Church I Visited?

By Karl Vaters on Jul 2, 2022

How might a newcomer view your church? What barriers may they face? What obstacles could be unintentionally in the way of them connecting and finding a place to belong?

Tags: Leadership, leadership, Visitors, church ministry, Welcoming Others  (view more)  (view less)