Why aren't you bigger?

[INLOVE]

Just wondering what church in your state is the largest? If it isn't your local church, why do you feel they have grown more?

[dbserv]

I know that this was aimed @ COGOP/COG folks, but I figured I'd jump in here.


Our church is Nazarene.



We are the largest in our state and one of the largest in the US and I've been told (but not confirmed) that we are in the top 20 in the world, based on ATTENDANCE, not membership.


We have about 1,400 members, but our attendance runs around 2,500 +/. It was down around 2,100 during the summer, but is back up now. this does NOT count the 800+ youth who meet for worship during the week. Some of them come on Sunday, but many don't.


WHY???


WOW!!!! That is the question we are all trying to figure out - locally and internationally.


In fact, our pastor is now the District Supt. for the area of Europe that includes Spain, France, etc. He went there to hold seminars on church growth and they asked HQ if he could be their DS. He told HQ that he would IF he could stay as our pastor as well. Since we have such a tremendous staff, he is able to be gone 7-10 days per month without a problem.


Our church will pay his FULL salary, HQ will pay the travel costs, Europe will provide a place to stay and food while there.




All we can figure out is that the Holy Spirit is moving and we try to stay out of His way.



HQ has sent people here to find the "formula". Our DS has has us do seminars. All we can do is share what we are doing. It works here, whether it works somewhere else or not.

People are getting saved weekly and it is an AWESOME thing to be a part of.


Our youth group has grown to over 800 kids in Jr. High and Sr. High. Many of them come from other churches to the Tuesday and Wednesday night worship services. They can play ball and stuff before service, but @ 7 p.m. the service starts and the Spirit moves.

We just hired a new assistant worship pastor who is burdened for the 18-30 age group and will be starting a focused ministry for them.


Our children's ministry meets the needs of over 500 kids every weekend.




Again, we don't know. We just try to be available and meet the needs as they come up - financial, physical, and spiritual.

[Shellie]

Why aren't you bigger?"

Ummm, cause I gotta share the food with the rest of the family?

[soulsearcher]

Why aren't you bigger?"

Ummm, cause I gotta share the food with the rest of the family?

You beat me to it, Shellie. But my line is, "Uhhhhh, because I'm big enough already, and I don't WANT to be any bigger. In fact I'd like to be a lot SMALLER." (He said with a mouth full of caramel as he ripped open the wrapper of his eighth minature Milky Way).

[free]

I blame President Bush...Why not, he gets blamed for everything else!!

[RamboPreacher]

I blame President Bush...Why not, he gets blamed for everything else!!

yea, he caused the fires in CA, and Hurricane Katrina and the tornadoes in the Midwest, not to mention Global warming- oh, wait that was generally the republicans, not W, directly.

seriously, though. our church is one of, the biggest in the region, and probably is the biggest (English speaking) in our state (region is a tri-state area). I believe we need to do better at reaching the lost and our community, but I am at a loss for what to do about it. much prayer continues for our local church. in fact, our overseer has called the region to a fast for "effectiveness and revival".

[MrDanger]

There is no excuse.

Bro. McKinley might be able to give better statistics on this, but we have around five churches in the Nashville area and not one single one is over a hundred in attendance.

We left our old property, where it was called Madison COGOP. On those same grounds is one of the largest sanctuaries in the state. Several of their key initial members were former COGOP. Their teachings are similar. We are not affectively reaching out to minister to those in need.

[Dr. Ron]

"If you always do what you have always done you will always get what you always got"...somebody important said that.

If you never evaluate, you never change....and if you don't change, you are only warming over the dinner.

the only churches that I know of that really grow, are those who work outside the box and strive to be relevant to today's issues. I have had to re-invent myself and am there again.

The same old same old will get you the same old! Every time!

[dawgs10]

we have always been one of the largest cogops in the state of georgia. we have had times we were running around 150-175. right now its around 125. the reason we have went up and down for years is because most churchs will never grow past 80% of the maxium seating. we are building a larger building in a better location now, so who knows. by the way one reason we have always been one of the largest is youth camp ministry and a strong youth ministry. we are in a place now that many youth that i grew up with are leaders in our local church. good pastors, good youth pastors and people that will do what it takes. it takes it all.

[DeWayneTN]

When I think about church growth, I consider that there are two kinds - inflow from other churches and inflow from the world. In the first scenario, if a church is bursting at the seams with 'new' people from other churches, the tide could easily change when another church in town becomes the 'it' church. Of course people need to be welcomed - church people need the Lord too. But it's awesome to hear of churches brimming with new converts. I wish we saw it more often.

I agree with Ron that it takes a new vision and stepping out in risky areas. Figure out the non-negotiables of your ministry and shake up the rest. What would you be willing to change to attract non-believers?

Another thing - I think we have misinterpreted "If I be lifted up, I will draw all men unto me" as in "if we get it right in our praise and worship and our church service, people will just come in off the street with no effort." But Jesus said this in reference to his crucifixion and there you find the real meaning. It doesn't give us an excuse to hole ourselves in churches and not engage those outside.

People who believe in something are the best 'salesmen.' I think pastors should present a compelling and clear vision of reaching the lost and drill it into members' heads every Sunday until it really clicks. It's not enough to go to church on Sunday and feel good - the message needs to spread. People need to see His church in action.

I don't say any of this as an expert by any means, just some things I've been chewing on.

[soulsearcher]

DeWayne,

That is amazing! You have just described my church without ever having attended. (I told you you need to come and check us out. )

[dbserv]

DeWayne,

That is amazing! You have just described my church without ever having attended. (I told you you need to come and check us out. )

Us too. I think that has a lot to do with both of our churches growing as they have.