Rowland Croucher wrote the following on his facebook status recently and it got me thinking about church growth and how we market things. my response on his page is below.

COMMON QUESTION IN OUR SEMINARS: Why do some churches grow? Simplest answer: more people who come once come back again! A pet food manufacturer's business was going bad, so he sacked all his staff. The new staff didn't do any better, so he sacked them too. In a conference with the third lot, a 19-year-old said: 'I think the dogs don't like our product!'

In our 21st Century western life, people buy product on price and packaging. this isn't necessarily the best thing but is a reality. I know my cupboards are filled with things I bought that didn't meet my expectations. surely the best marketing of church is a faith that's real and works, then if it is packaged well people won't leave disappointed but will stay and continue to enjoy the relationship of faith they paid a price to be a part of. interesting discussion...I won't bore you with all the tangents it has raised in my head. Thanks Rowland.

Church Growth is a touchy subject for some people because we like to think that we don't do it, but rather it is a supernatural phenomenon that God does. Essentially this is true. The Bible says that it is God who Builds the church and that as we live lives of faith and trust in God's Grace we don't need to worry so much.
Having tried to grow a church from scratch myself I'm a firm believer that there is no formula. I've seen the most bizarrely unlikely people leading churches of impressive size and truly gifted called and integral people fail miserably. Why is that?
For me it comes down to an acceptance that God is not interested in who we think we are or in the sandcastle we think we're called to build. His Kingdom is far bigger and far more unstructured than our puny patch of dirt. Once we think we have it all worked out He shifts the parameters. not because He is teasing us, but because He loves us and wants to see us depending upon Him alone and not our abilities and supposed insights.
I find it amusing that whenever someone grows a church they immediately write a book about how they did it, never realising it had very little to do with them and a lot to do with the architect, God. they stumbled upon a new idea or flow and were in the right place at the right time. Yes they did have to make the right decisions and act with boldness and courage. but in the end their book must read "But God". on every page.

Have a great day. Richard.

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