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- Horizontal Church Growth
I had breakfast with a true apostle from India a week ago and I can’t stop thinking about our conversation.
My heart is on fire to see what he described happen in our churches here in the West.
Real, authentic, multiplying discipleship.
Every believer growing and fruitful.
A viral network of multiplying churches.
Here’s the deal…
We need a church revolution in the USA.
Not same old same old.
Not incremental growth.
Exponential!
So how do we get there from here?
Well, I certainly don’t have all the answers but I do have some thoughts…
One of the things he shared with me is that they grow their churches to 100 and then immediately plant a new one.
That simple strategy opens the doors to many more pastors who might not have the desire or capacity to lead a church of 500, 1000, or 10,000.
Do you have 1-3 people in your church that could pastor 100?
I bet you do!
What would happen if we started celebrating horizontal growth rather than vertical growth?
More churches rather than more attenders.
Horizontal growth puts discipleship front and center…
And focuses on expanding the Kingdom rather than our own platform!
Do I think churches should intentionally stay small?
No, of course not.
Just like in the parable of the talents, the master gives different vision, capacity, and callings to various churches.
There are 5 talent leaders, 3 talents leaders, etc…
The key is being faithful to what you were given.
Invest it. Grow it.
So when it comes to church size I believe some churches are called to be equipping hubs that resource other churches and leaders.
Those churches are “templates” for others to follow.
The Antioch, Jerusalem, Ephesus level churches.
Mega churches can make a mega impact in their community but even more so in their ability to feed, lead, and care for other leaders in the body of Christ.
Highlands church is a great example of this calling. So is Saddleback.
But not every church is going to be Highlands or Saddleback, etc.
Somebody needs to go to the towns of 1200 people and start a life-giving church! Right?
That’s why horizontal growth is so important!
Horizontal growth is kingdom focused and says, “I will expand and extend the Kingdom of God rather than build my own house.”
Horizontal growth invests in discipleship, developing/equipping leaders, and releasing them rather than holding on to them.
Horizontal growth seeks to plant churches.
It’s sacrificial.
Back to my conversation…
He said, “50 years ago American pastors could have chosen to invest in discipleship but they wanted to build platforms. If they’d focused on raising up sons and planting churches America would be saved.”
That haunts me.
Now, he wasn’t judging or generalizing as it may seem.
I’m simplifying it down for the sake of brevity and clarity.
But the point remains.
What will we do in our generation?
Will we continue to build platforms or seek to build and release people?
I’ll leave you with one of my favorite quotes from Pastor Steve Murrell, “Jesus said ‘I will build my church and He told us to make disciples.’ Our job is to make disciples and Jesus will build His church with them!”
Want access to ALL my courses, ALL premium Leader Letter posts, access to a private mastermind group of pastors, and live weekly coaching to help your church grow?
Oh, and what if I told you…it pays for itself! Yep, if I can help you add ONE activated, giving member to your church it covers the entire investment in the program.
Look at this recent giving data from ChurchSalary…
“Over the last year ChurchSalary has gathered precise data from almost 3,000 churches. Across all these churches, average PPG (per person giving) in 2022 is now $2,848, median is $2,600, and 50 percent of churches fall between $1,852 and $3,571 per person.” - ChurchSalary
Average PPG is $2,848.
One new giving member is more than enough to cover the entire cost.
(FYI…We’ve only got room for 3 more pastors to join this month.)
Talk soon,
Pastor Jake
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