Reflections from Lasting Impact, Conversation #1.

“Church growth can bring out a beast in some of us. We can over focus on it. It can also distort our perception of ourselves. When our church is growing, it’s easy to think we can do nothing wrong. And when we’re not growing, it’s easy to feel as if we do nothing right. Neither is Healthy.” (C. Nieuwhof, Lasting Impact)

Last week, I started a journey, unpacking some of what I’ve learned from Carey Nieuwhof’s book, “Lasting Impact: 7 Powerful Conversations To Help Your Church Grow“.

This past week, I dove deep into Conversation #1, “Why Are We Not Growing Faster?” Three of Carey’s principles under the section “Structure Bigger To Grow Bigger” really grabbed my attention.

As I leaned into these principles and studying some Biblical evidence, some difficult questions surfaced. I think we need to embrace these difficult questions to keep growth in the forefront of the Western Church.

1. Are We Letting Leaders Lead?

• Lasting Impact, Ch. 1, “Structure Bigger To Grow Bigger” principle 3: “Let leaders lead.“

In Acts 6, we see that the Apostles had a clear focus on their leadership responsibilities.

“Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. 2 And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. (Acts 6:1-2)

Notice how the Apostles never once defaulted to adding more ministry duties on themselves. The understanding was to find leaders and appoint them to ministry service.

2. Are We Empowering Our Volunteers?

• Lasting Impact, Ch. 1, “Structure Bigger To Grow Bigger” principle 4: “Empower your volunteers.“

Carrying on with our Acts 6 example, the Apostles understood what it meant to empower Believers to carry out ministry.

“Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” (6:3-4)

Then look at the tangible evidence of empowerment in verse 6:

“These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.” (6:6)

This act of laying on of hands, praying for these ministry leaders brings the physical needs into the spiritual realm; inviting the Lord to be a part of the empowerment.

3. Are We Micromanaging?

• Lasting Impact, Ch. 1, “Structure Bigger To Grow Bigger” principle 5: “Stop micromanaging.“

The results found in Acts 6 speak volumes to this principle.

“And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.” (6:7)

The last half of verse 7 is worth repeating: “…a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.”

I don’t think it’s a coincidence that priests, men of rules and legalism come to know Christ, at a time when the Apostles are letting leaders lead and empowering volunteers. The grace and trust must have been irresistible for them!

May this be our experience in the Western Church.

BOOK PLUG: If you haven’t read it yet, I can’t say it enough, get a copy of Lasting Impact by Carey Nieuwhof today. Start the conversation journey toward growth in your church.

Join the Conversation, Leave Your Thoughts

What’s your experience with church structure? What questions need to be asked when growth has plateaued or declined?