6 Tips for Radical Church & Ministry Growth

By Mariel Villarreal

5 Minute Read

Are you ready to experience radical growth?

Over the past several months, I have had the honor of interviewing leaders all around the country experiencing exponential growth in their churches and ministries. In a time when our nation is facing many challenges, how are expansion and growth possible?

Today, I will share 6 tips I've learned from pastors and ministers seeing their organizations radically grow. If you are stagnant in your growth, it's time to get refueled with inspiration for what is possible. Keep reading to learn more.

1. Say "yes" to the new thing God is doing

"Do not call to mind the former things; pay no attention to the things of old. Behold, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness and streams in the desert." - Isaiah 43:18-19

When it comes to growing your church or ministry, it's wise to start by asking the question: "What is the new thing God is doing?"

In this new season, it is time to be brave enough to reevaluate our traditional ways of church and ministry. Take time to ask the Lord if there is a new strategy, dream, or vision he is calling you to. When it's time, start taking steps forward. He will equip you for what He is calling you to do!

2. Develop leaders

"The greatest leader is not necessarily the one who does the greatest things. He is the one that gets the people to do the greatest things." –Ronald Reagan

Many leaders are wisely taking this season to focus on raising up leaders and making disciples. Although it is difficult to gather in large groups, you now have a perfect opportunity to pour into your core team.

As a church or ministry leader, you may feel overwhelmed at the thought of starting a new initiative. You already have so much on your plate. Here's where raising up leaders is essential!

When you develop a few key individuals, you'll create disciples who can help fulfill new strategies and ideas. You're making more harvesters for the field. You'll be able to hand over new projects and assignments to them and watch them step into a new level of their calling.

It's always encouraging to me to remember that Jesus changed the world with only 12 disciples. Whether you have a team of five or 100, build up those God has called you to lead.

As you start developing leaders, you'll want to make sure you have a solid ordination program in place to ordain ministers of the gospel. To learn how to establish an ordination program, check out our video course Equipped to Ordain.

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3. Focus on outreach

Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest." - Matthew 9:37-38 (ESV)

The pandemic has caused the Church to leave the building.

One of the key commonalities I've found from my discussions with leaders experiencing exponential growth is their intentionally fresh focus on outreach. Ministries and churches are finding creative ways to become the hands and feet of Jesus. As a result, the lost are coming to Jesus, and practical needs are being met in communities at whole new levels.

Look at the unique needs of your city. Ask God what He wants to do and how you can be a part of it. The harvest is ready.

Now is an excellent opportunity to consider starting a Community Development Corporation (CDC). With a CDC, you can impact areas of your city that a solely religious organization may not have access to. Plus, another major benefit is the ability to receive grants and other funding a church or ministry cannot receive.

We want to help you make a difference in your community! To learn more, give us a call at 877-494-4655 or click the link below!

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4. Expand your reach online

Online church and ministry will only continue to grow in relevance in the coming days. That's why maximizing your website and social media platforms to the fullest is a wise move going forward.

The good news is that there are many resources to make managing the technical side of online platforms easier. To learn more about making an impact online, check out our blog here!

Here's where tip #2 comes in hand. Look to raise up leaders in your community passionate about online ministry. Let your need be known. Recruit a team to come up with creative ways to build your social media presence. This is a great way to affirm the younger generation and give them a platform to lead.

If you need help with a ministry or church website, check out StartSITES!

This leads to tip number 5.

5. Reassess your branding

Simply put, your brand communicates who you are to those you want to reach. Branding will help your community locate and connect with you.

That's why you need to ask yourself questions like: Is your name recognizable in your community? Does your website have a clear mission and vision statement of what you are about? Is your social media presence consistent with your brand?

Take some time to determine if you need to make any changes to your branding. This will add to your church growth in the long run!

To learn more about effective branding, check out our blog here.

6. Connect in the community and cultivate relationships

Sometimes it's not time to start something new - it's time to partner with what God is already doing in your community.

Another consistent factor we have seen in churches and ministries that are growing is their intentionality to connect with the community in new ways. Whether it's a local food drive or a homeless shelter, church leaders are finding fresh ways to partner with existing ministries in their community to make an impact during this time.

In this same vein, continue to cultivate the relationships you already have in your church and ministry. Set aside time every week to call, email, and check-in on your members. These genuine connections will help to strengthen your existing church and lead to more growth down the road.

The old has passed away; the new has come

We have not only entered a new year but an entirely new season as the Body of Christ. The old ways of doing things have changed, and new strategies are on the horizon. Change can often cause us to stress and worry. We don't like not knowing what we don't know!

However, what has not changed is God's faithfulness and your calling to make an impact for the kingdom.

If we can assist you in any way, please reach out to us! Our team at StartCHURCH is passionate about helping you to protect what God has called you to lead. Please give us a call at 877-494-4655 or click the link below to schedule a call with a specialist.

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