Most would agree that we as Christians should be upright, authentic, and filled with integrity. Yet, sometimes we find churches using church growth tactics that are deceitful or manipulative.
Ways Churches Might Use Manipulation to Attract People & Grow:
Bribe people to attend.
You coax them to come by giving them a free meal or free gift.
Meet needs with ulterior motives.
You have programs like a food or clothes bank solely to evangelize, not simply because you have compassion.
Bait and switch.
You do things to make people feel all warm and fuzzy, telling them what they want to hear, until they are in and then you drop the hammer.
Lay a guilt trip on people.
You use their children as tools, telling them that if they really cared about their children, they would take them to church.
Play to people’s fears.
You emphasize hell, fire, and brimstone when in reality, there is more to the Gospel message they need to hear.
You’ll find the content in this post in the Steering the Church Toward Christ-like Character Leadership Guide which also lists six ways churches can avoid using manipulation in their church growth efforts.
All Posts about Church Growth:
- Church Purpose That Leads to Church Growth
- Church Growth Outgrowth of Church Purpose
- Everybody Has a Part in Church Growth
- Church Growth & the Great Commission
- Trying to Attract People to Your Church by Becoming Like Them?
- 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?
- Church Growth & God’s Power
- 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
- Not the Time to Think about Church Growth?
- How Resurrection Power Helps with Church Growth
- Attacks Against Church Growth
- Attacks Against Church Growth Need God’s Protection
- Our How-To Book for Church Growth
- An Example of What It Takes for Growth and Spiritual Health