10 Phrases to Use if You Want to Stop the Congregation from Growing

We all “talk a good game.” We are very good at saying that we want the Church to grow. We pray, “Help us to grow, both spiritually and numerically.”

But we must ask ourselves, “Do we really want our congregation to grow?” I would like to suggest that many phrases we use show that we don’t. We might be afraid of the types of people who might come if we really grew. People are weird! (I know. I am one.)

So, if you don’t really want the congregation where you attend to grow, here are some tried-and-true phrases you can use to slow and even stop any growth that might be happening.

1. “We tried that before. It didn’t work.” Really? You tried that exact same program/idea with the exact same people and the community around you hasn’t changed at all since you tried it? While we need to constantly be looking to the future, many “old school” ideas are working again because new blood and energy is being poured into them. As one example, a lot of congregations are seeing great success at traditional Vacation Bible Schools, because they are simply putting more emphasis on areas of the program that were weak in the past.

2. “We’ve never done it that way before.” So what? So long as it doesn’t violate Scripture, “it” could be the program or idea that really helps your congregation. Remember, at some point in the past someone could have said “we’ve never done it that way before” to nearly everything you now enjoy withing your congregation (meeting in a building, using song books, having a sound system, adding a restroom, etc.). Just because it fails to be part of the “tradition” of your congregation doesn’t mean it will fail.

3. “So-and-so [congregation] tried that, and it didn’t work.” And your point is, what? While we should seek the wisdom of other congregations (especially about larger programs and ideas), that doesn’t mean we should avoid doing something just because another congregation couldn’t get it to work well. You may have folks who are far more qualified to lead or serve in a particular program, or you may have more funds to build up a certain ministry. Don’t play the comparison game!

4. “That will take too much money.” Maybe it will, and maybe it won’t. While congregations need to stay under control with budget concerns, far too many decisions are made solely with the statement, “It’s not in the budget.” If someone is really passionate about a ministry, you might be amazed at how that person can find ways to cut costs, or how money can come from other places. Please don’t let finances be the controlling factor of every decision!

5. “I don’t trust our elders.” If there is any phrase that will destroy growth, this is it. If you don’t trust what the elders are doing, why are you with that congregation? Even more, why are you telling other people? You need to speak to the elders about your concerns. If they are truly shepherds, they will listen and give you a solid reason for a certain decision. Congregations that don’t trust their elders can expect to plateau… at best.

6. “We’ve had that program for years. It has to stay.” Absolutely not! Far too many congregations are putting out anchors when it comes to manpower and finances just to keep programs “alive” that have, in reality, been “dead” for years. Evaluation has to be done. Yes, it may cause someone to have hurt feelings if a program or ministry is cut, but is that not a small price to pay for putting money and resources into ministries that are more up-to-date and in which there are more passionate workers?

7. “We’re good enough at…”. Never! Congregations should always be striving for excellence in everything they do. You may be known as a congregation that has a great benevolent program, or as one that is really friendly, or as one that visits well. However, as soon as a congregation gets the mindset that they are “good enough” in any area, apathy will set in, and that strength will become a weakness. Excellence, excellence, excellence!

8. “We need more people to place membership.” I’m all for people placing membership. When folks move into our community who are members of the body of Christ, I hope they will choose to worship at Lebanon Road. It is exciting. However, if all we focus on are the number placing membership, we have failed to see the real purpose of the Church. We are to make disciples, not get a crowd! When our focus is on who is placing membership, we will turn all our attention inward, instead of thinking about ways to reach out the lost and hurting in our communities. Be focused on that, not just on who is placing membership.

9. “I hope we don’t get too big.” Usually, this is followed with, “If we get bigger than [300, 400, 500, whatever], I can’t know everybody.” So, you would rather a congregation stay around the same size because you want to know people, rather than have the lost be saved? Really??? Aren’t you glad the church in Acts 2 (and beyond) didn’t have that same attitude?

10. In prayer: “May our elders make good decisions.” I’m all for elders making decisions. I know they are to oversee and that they really “set the tone” for the congregation. But we have to move past this idea that elders are nothing more than a board of directors! When elders are shepherding, and we are praying for them in that role primarily, the congregation will grow. When elders are nothing more than a glorified board, the congregation will continue to be just what it has been. Pray that they will shepherd the flock and live lives that are examples of real faithfulness before the world.

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What would you add?