When it comes to church growth, leaders need to make it more about what God does than what we do. It needs to be more about Him, and focused on Him, not us.
It’s not about getting people to follow a leader but Christ (1 Cor. 1:11-13; 3:3-11).
Leader Qualities that will Keep the Right Focus in Church Growth
The following Christ-like qualities will help us keep the focus where it should be so we don’t do that which makes it about us.
- To keep us from boasting, we need humility. When growth happens, it’s because of what God does, not us. We are “co-workers in God’s service” (1 Cor. 3:9).
It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God-that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” (1 Cor. 1:30-31)
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. (2 Cor. 12:9)
May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. (Gal. 6:14)
- We need integrity so we don’t resort to manipulative measures or compromise in order to pull people in. We do only that which truly lifts up Jesus as “the way and the truth and the life” who said, “No one comes to the Father except through me” (Jn. 14:6).
For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of man. (2 Cor. 8:21)
- We keep the focus on Jesus by loving as He loves. Our church growth efforts go beyond merely adding to our numbers to adding to the kingdom. We care more about people and their souls than the size of our church, so it becomes more about serving just as Jesus “did not come to be served, but to serve” (Matt. 20:28).
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. (Jn. 13:34-35)
Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (Eph. 5:1-2)
- To keep us from giving up if we fail to see immediate growth, we need perseverance. We keep praying about it and assessing our alignment with God’s purposes, design, and mission for His Church.
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. (Gal. 6:9)
- So we don’t rush ahead or lag behind where God wants to take us, we need self-control. This Spirit-grown quality enables us to reign in our natural tendencies to boast, manipulate, compromise, self-serve, or quit.
Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. (Gal. 5:25)
For More About a Leader’s Character, Go To: Leader Qualities and Attitudes Resources
All Posts about Church Growth:
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- Church Growth Outgrowth of Church Purpose
- Everybody Has a Part in Church Growth
- Church Growth & the Great Commission
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- Trying to Attract People to Your Church with Grace?
- Trying to Attract People to Your Church by What You Offer?
- Trying to Attract People to Your Church Through Manipulation?
- Trying to Attract People to Your Church by Watering Down the Truth?
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- Power of the Gospel & Church Growth
- Power of the Gospel, Not Entertaining
- Power of the Gospel, Not the Messenger
- Power of the Gospel, Not Swayed by What People Think
- Grace to Grow
- Grace to be a Growth Agent
- True Church Growth & Health: Reliant on the Holy Spirit
- Collaboration in Church Growth Efforts Possible with Spirit
- Competence, Conviction & Confidence in Church Growth
- Growth Because of His Name
- Growth When All Done in His Name
- Growth in His Name Came at a Cost
- Prayer Essential for Church Growth
- Praying for Church Growth
- All Spiritual Gifts Needed for Church Growth
- Perspective Toward Each Other’s Part in Church Growth
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- Attacks Against Church Growth
- Attacks Against Church Growth Need God’s Protection
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- An Example of What It Takes for Growth and Spiritual Health
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