Let us focus on our local churches and do a survey to find out which local church is growing and what you oerceive is stimulating that growth. If your church is not growing, what are YOU are doing to help.

Blessings,

Pastor Paris

-- Anonymous, December 01, 2001

Answers

My Church is not growing because the various offices in the church are being held by members who have been in those offices for ten to tewnty-five years and not developing the leadership skills of others by allowing them to serve and learn the rudiments of those positions.

-- Anonymous, December 02, 2001

God gives the increase! Our church is growing. It's not quite two years old, yet attendance is running 90 to 100. Membership is about 40. We have 20 acres purchased for future building, and most important, we have vision. We're believing BIG, and you'd be amazed at how many churches don't. They're content to stay small, or don't believe they can grow.

Growth comes as a byproduct of what God is doing in the church, so ultimately it's supernatural. However there are some tools we're using that are successful. First, casual dress is ok. Next, we use contemporary music, and place a low importance on tradition. We also have good nursery, children's, and youth programs, a growing cell ministry, and good discipleship ministries.

Now having said this, let's look at some important principles in using these tools. Programs for children are important because parents have an overarching concern for the spiritual well-being of their kids. Many families will choose a church based on this alone. But it's not a matter of the kids having fun (though they do that). It's a matter of the kids growing in God.

The purpose of cell ministries is to help people feel plugged in, and not just a faceless name in the crowd. It also helps them deal with life problems in a small group they have grown to trust.

Music is for worship. It's not to showcase anyone's talent, even though we have very talented people. The team tries to do everything well, but the focus is on Him. The goal is to help the congregation touch God. When people can do that, they'll be back.

As for tradition and the order of service, take the limits off of God. Let him take control and guide the service. It might take longer than one to two hours, and God might do some things that don't fit someone's theology. With an eye out for error, let God move.

Finally discipleship. A person needs to grow, or they'll be choked by the thorns. We've found an outstanding program put out by the Foursquare church. That's not our denomination, but again, we're not going to be bound by a denominational line. It's effective, so we're using it. The results have been powerful.

God will bless a church he can trust to fulfill the Great Commission. We're trying our best to do that, and that means never being satisfied. Like the spiritual giants of history, and even a championship athlete, you need to stay hungry. Too many Christians aren't.

-- Anonymous, December 02, 2001

Thanks to brother RP and Malcolm billy so far. I hope others will respond.

Brother Billy: Thank you for being honest and straight forward. Now, what are YOU doing to help. We want to light a candle, not curse the darkness. May I say, you can't do anything about others. It only increases your level of frustration.

Brother RP: Do you REALLY know how many churches "don't". To get the facts, we must stick to what we know, OUR church.

Blessings,

Pastor Paris

-- Anonymous, December 03, 2001

I am interested in all of the answers to this profound question. Because for too long our church was not growing - not spiritually or physically. But it gives me great pleasure to report, our hope is rekindled with fire from above - Hallelujah! To God be the glory - we shall be revived.

Because our church is basically made up of elderly and middle-aged people, our focus has to be to equip the members to evangelize. Our youth group has dwindled since most have either gone off to college or now have full time jobs and would rather spend their time doing other things. I'm happy to say, that there is a broad range of people and places in which to draw upon in order for th church to grow, but the major draw back is the lack of our people who are equipped to "go ye ..."

-- Anonymous, December 03, 2001

Hi, RP I like what you said about "cell ministry" your denomination Assembly of Christ has always been at the forefront of cell ministries and it is has worked for it focuses on two components 1) Retention of members 2.) promotion of growth within a small group setting. Our Church is about to embark on a cell ministry program as well. The main reason we are doing it, is that we are in a rural location. And half of our congregation lives in another small town. And getting to the town where our church is in the winter is a hardship so we are having cell minstries in the other town. Thanks for bringing up the concept.

-- Anonymous, December 03, 2001

Oops sorry RP I should have said "Assembly of God". I always have Christ on my mind;)

-- Anonymous, December 03, 2001

Over the 128 years that St Paul AME Cambridge has been in existence there has been many peaks and valleys. What was once a "stream" is now a "river". It was brought back to life several times. Under Pastor John Bryant years almost 30 years ago, the membership has grown to where we are now about 1600. As most churches actual vs book numbers may vary. In our case, with a lot of colleges and universities students attending and professional migration it is difficult to pinpoint exact numbers. Pastor Attles emphasizes Salvation first and church membership second. The important thing is to get folks saved and seeing that they get up under a Bible believing, saved teacher.

That said, the raw numbers show that for the calender year, not the conference year, we will be at or near 200 accepting and or joining the church. The challenge is keeping them from "going out the backdoor". Bro Rob mentioned the cell ministry or what we call classes. We are currently looking into establishing cluster type groups based on city/town to serve the same purpose. Our church is in Cambridge, MA but the membership is scattered troughout the Greater Boston area. For example, I live 23 miles out. We are blessed with a Christian Life Center and our youth programs fill the building on Sat. mornings, Church School, Children Choir reheresals, Teen Choir, Karate etc. The Girls Brigade and the Sons of Allen also serve the youngsters. All the adult leadership are saved Christian folks. They are commited to woring with the large number of kids. Challege: to get parents more involved and in some cases saved. Music: We have been blessed with some wonderful, gifted Ministers of Music, including Bro Jeryl Payne at one time. The music department IS a ministry. All forms and styles are heard. Fellowships: College, Men, Married Couples Fellowship, Women of Purpose on One Accord. Pastor feels it is important that we support each other. Most of those in College Fellowship belong to other churches at their hometowns, not all AME's either. Healing: There is a Healing Service every 2nd Sunday. Food Pantry every Weds and Sat.

We also have had former Prisoners who have accepted Christ via the Prison Ministry join the church or join the Men's Fellowship but attend other churches after their release as well as some Sisters.

The mission of the AME Church may be outdated to some but not to St Paul. We are bleesed by size to be able to address most of the 8 ways to "seek out and save the lost and serve the needy". It is not about numbers but about the spirit of the original Free African Society of Richard Allen.

-- Anonymous, December 04, 2001

In terms of numerical growth, I will say our church is experiencing some growth: a few people have "walked the aisle" within the last few months. In terms of spiritual and social growth, I will have to say no. The church is basically turning its wheels, but it is at least maintaining the status quo. Fortunately, a core group of members (approximately 80-100) aged, 50-85 take ownership in the church, however, the members in this age group are not ready to let new folks into the church to assume leadership positions. The 21-49 year olds just blend in with the walls. Myself and others are trying to establish young adult, singles and married couples ministries to address the needs of this age group. Also, the "class system" or "cell groups" do work, but our pastor has yet to really buy into it at this time. Another problem is that our pastor is afraid to address some of the more cutting edge issues of the day (i.e. HIV/AIDS, alcoholism/drug addiction etc), which, in my opinion, hampers growth because we do have members in the congregation that are suffering and no one really wants to confront or deal with some of the hard and fast issues that face us. Other churches in the area that are addressing this issues are scooping the 21-49 year old age group up.

-- Anonymous, December 05, 2001

In terms of numerical growth, I will say our church is experiencing some growth: a few people have "walked the aisle" within the last few months. In terms of spiritual and social growth, I will have to say no. The church is basically turning its wheels, but it is at least maintaining the status quo. Fortunately, a core group of members (approximately 80-100) aged, 50-85 take ownership in the church, however, the members in this age group are not ready to let new folks into the church to assume leadership positions. The 21-49 year olds just blend in with the walls. Myself and others are trying to establish young adult, singles and married couples ministries to address the needs of this age group. Also, the "class system" or "cell groups" do work, but our pastor has yet to really buy into it at this time. Another problem is that our pastor is afraid to address some of the more cutting edge issues of the day (i.e. HIV/AIDS, alcoholism/drug addiction, prison ministries, etc), which, in my opinion, hampers growth because we do have members in the congregation that are suffering and no one really wants to confront or deal with some of the hard and fast issues that face us. Other churches in the area that are addressing this issues are scooping the 21-49 year old age group up.

-- Anonymous, December 05, 2001

I am ashamed to say that our church we has not grown for over the last 15 years, our young people are gone, the average age is 62 and older. The youth are going to other churches where they can be involved in every area of the church. Our church members hold positions until most of the die. they do not teach the few youth we have hoe to be officers. I am praying daily that God will someday send us a pastor with a vision to increase membership that include young people from the age of 40 and under.I am often heard saying if everyone fropm the age 55 and older in our church were to die, our church would not be alive. I wish the elderly members would be so kind as to sit down and train the youth that we have, otherwise we are at a stale mate. To God be the glory for waht he will do.

-- Anonymous, December 06, 2001

I did not mean for my posting to appear twice, I experienced a power outage and hit the submit button twice.

-- Anonymous, December 07, 2001

Yes, our congregation is growing. Spiritually, numerically and financially. Our pastor has us focus on living out Matthew 6:33. He provides relevant, positive life changing Sunday morning messages and Tuesday evening Bible teaching. He reminds us that we are not competing with others for church growth, but if we focus on doing what we do for the Lord to a level of spiritual excellence, God will do the rest. We have instituted and are instituting many new ministries to complement that which is a part of African Methodism. We believe that if we reach people where they are, we can point them to where they need to get - JESUS. As for ages 18 - 40. Our Bishop has instituted the Young Adult Network to reach out and empower that generation of our Zion. You can check us out at: www.worthy.net/4166905169.

-- Anonymous, December 07, 2001