Worship and Church Growth

Research shows there are generally five areas "seekers" are attracted to when looking for church homes.

1. A solid faith system
2. Warm, genuine hospitality
3. Qualify sermons
4. Quality programs for children
5. High quality public worship

In the 1970s studies into church growth the public assembly was not an important factor. The public assembly was considered an important part of a congregation's life but not until the 1990s was the public assembly considered to be highly relevant to the growth of the church.

Most church members want the church to satisfy their personal needs and preferences. They are not interested in taking action to satisfy the needs of others.  As long as core members are happy with the status quo, they see no need to change --- even if that means the congregation gradually declines.

Many members will object to change as being worldly. Change is seen as the pursuit of popular fads and fashions that ignore demands of the scriptures.  We are already doing what God has commanded us to do, so if we change we will be ignoring the Lord's commands.

Change is bad if change means apostasy. Change is not bad if it means repentance, growth, and development. Growth is change. Development to maturity is change. This change is good.

The failure of the public assembly directly contributes to the decline of the church. We cannot separate church growth from the need to develop and enrich the public assembly.

 

 

Joe Ed Furr

Public Worship Development