1. Principles for Developing a Church Growth Vision
By James A. Cress

2. Vision = More Than Sight!
Some people see things as they are and ask why?
Other see things as they could be and ask why not!
-- Robert F. Kennedy

3. 1. Intentionality God expects the church to grow (Acts 2).
Growth is not a numbers game!
But God is interested in numbers
Church is not the church if it is not growing!

4. 2. Dissatisfaction with Status Quo
If all is okay, why still here?
A great heritage and marvelous history
million members worldwide
million members worldwide
But we are still here!
What should we be doing differently?

5. 3. Analytical Analysis Not salvation by number-crunching
Who have you got?
What is working?
What is not working?
1. Unconscious ineffectiveness
2. Conscious ineffectiveness
3. Unconscious effectiveness
4. Conscious effectiveness
5. Naturalized effectiveness

6. 4. Target Best Potentials = Positioning
Youth vs. aged
Win a youth, win a multiplication table
No one power group controls
On-going repositioning is essential
Population demographics determine mission tactics (i.e. Paul’s different approaches).

7. 5. Build on Strengths Slogan: The Caring Church
Nobody believed – not even the members
Seventh-day Adventists . . .
When you’re looking for answers!
ADRA - You can trust > than “they care”
Build on strengths:
Adventists not charismatics

8. 6. Pastoral Tenure 21 years experience
Live through and resolve problems vs. escape

9. 7. Emphasize Spiritual Growth
Bible Study
Prayer
Fellowship
Witnessing
Obedience

10. 8. Consistent Preaching Christ-centered No surprises Listener-focused
Take home value
Certainty – preach “as if”
Study your questions, of course.
Don’t take your questions into the pulpit!

11. 9. Invitations Response cards Pew card summary Spiritual business
Public invitations
Invite “an appointment”
Easy to say “Yes”
I would like to be baptized
I request a pastoral visit

12. 10. Big Deals Baby Dedications Baptismal Services Anniversaries
Friends’ Day
Honor Teachers
Visitor Recognition

13. 11. Advertise Sabbath Worship Service –
Advertise – Weekly newsletter, paper, radio, television
Sermon series
Best evangelistic opportunity
Complimentary advertising
Pastoral business cards for your leaders
Announce:
Open Communion
Public Baptism
Annual Homecoming
Free Lunch

14. 12. Dynamic Worship Creatively Dynamic Need not be radical! Timeliness
Cut extraneous
Time Czar
Emphasize essentials
Mail bulletins

15. 13. Inclusive Reckoning as Outreach Method
Non-Believers Attending
Believers Attending
Non-Believers Non-Attending
Believers Non-Attending

16. 14. Small Group Ministries
Pastor’s Work = “work the members”
Pastors Method = “lead the leaders!”
Small Group Effectiveness Factors:
Word
Worship
Fellowship
Service

17. 15. Leaders Who Lead!
Not an enabler who says, Here I am, What do you want me to do?
Not a facilitator who says, Figure out what you want to do and I’ll help you get there.
Rather A leader who says, “This is where God wants us to go Follow me as I follow Christ!
Assume responsibility for growth
Work hard
Share ministry
Not paralyzed by pessimists – some members cannot be pastored
Invest time, energy and money in training
Self – continuing education
Leaders – for responsible service
Members – increased world view

18. 16. Followers Who Follow Willing to follow the leader.
Expect pastoral ranchers more than shepherds
Pay the price for following
Readjust fellowship patterns – assimilate new
Open up leadership opportunities
Intentionally include youth and newcomers
Rather youth not attend than sing

19. 17. Administrators who value local congregation more than structure
Tip O’Neill -- All politics is local
Resource sharing
Key Result Areas (KRA) as base for appropriations
Performance Standards

20. 18. Global Worldview = Mission