How To Grow A Small, Struggling Church The Right Way!

Are you part of a smaller church? Want to know how to grow a small church but struggling to do so?

I can relate! For the past few years I’ve been involved in quite a few churches, and have learned a thing or two about growing them.

It might be hard work but growing your tiny, dedicated congregation is very possible! And in this blog post, I’m going to show you how to grow a small, struggling church.

Let’s go!

Blog Contents show

Why Do We Need To Grow?

I think it’s important to talk about why churches need to grow before we begin talking about anything else. There are many reasons why we need to grow and here are the top three reasons I’d like to look at:

Creating a Supportive Community:

When a church is growing and thriving, it creates a strong, support network which brings people together. One of the best things about building a supporting community is that your church members can form close friendships and help each other through life’s challenges.

This sense of connection is important because it means you always have someone to lean on when you’re going through a difficult time. Another good reason is that a larger church can offer more resources and services, like support groups, counseling, and practical assistance for those in need.

This can really help people feel cared for and supported, knowing that their church community is there for them.

Spreading Godly Values:

A growing church also has more opportunities to share its message and values with a wider audience. Sharing the Good News can inspire and uplift more people to come to Christ.

It also encourages them to live with kindness, compassion, purpose, and integrity.

The impact of these positive values can extend beyond the church, and influence the wider community. One of the best things about growing a small, struggling church is the impact you’re able to have on the wider community as the love of Christ spreads.

Ensuring Longevity and Stability:

Finally, church growth helps to ensure the church’s future. With more members, there are more people to contribute time, talents, and resources which in turn makes the church more sustainable.

This means the church can continue to operate and fulfill its mission for many years to come.

Additionally, a growing church is a fantastic way to develop new leaders from within the congregation. This brings fresh ideas and energy which can help the church to adapt and thrive in changing times.

What Blocks Church Growth?

Small, struggling churches often face so many challenges when trying to grow. But why is that? What are the things that prevent a church from growing?

Limited Resources:

When you’re part of a small church, it can be difficult to come up with the tools, money and other resources you may need to grow. Finding funding for community events, outreach programs, and building maintenance can be frustratingly hard.

Without enough money, it’s difficult to invest in things that can attract and retain members, such as better facilities, modern technology, or effective advertising.

Lack of Volunteers:

Being part of a smaller congregation means having fewer and fewer people available to help with the many tasks needed to run the church. This can lead to serious burnout among the few active members who take on multiple roles trying to be everything for everyone.

Without enough volunteers, it’s hard to organize the events, lead the small groups, or provide the various services to the community that can help your church grow.

Attracting New Members:

This is one of the things that a church needs to grow but doesn’t have, which can be quite the paradox. It’s like needing money to get a loan but you want the loan so you can have money.

Attracting members to your church can be quite difficult especially if you don’t have a strong presence in the community or on social media.

People may not even know the church exists.

It can also be challenging because newcomers might be hesitant to join a smaller congregation if they feel there are limited activities or opportunities to connect.

Modernizing Worship Services:

I’m not going to sit here and tell you to transform your worship service into a concert. That’s not what church should be.

Church isn’t a place for mere entertainment and socializing. It’s a place of reverence where we honor God for all that He is to us.

However, many small churches struggle to update their worship services to meet the needs of younger generations. This could mean including more contemporary music, using technology like projectors or live streaming, and making the overall service more engaging.

Without these updates, it may be hard to appeal to younger families and individuals.

Building a Sense of Community:

Creating a warm and welcoming community can be really tough for small churches. They might not have the experience and might not understand what it takes to do so.

People visiting church for the first time may find it hard to break into already-established social circles. Long-time members might also be resistant to change because this is how things have always been.

It takes effort to ensure everyone feels included and valued, which is crucial for growth.

The Importance of Outreach

When you’re a part of a smaller church, it is so important to get involved with the wider community. That’s where outreach comes in.

Outreach is very important for a small church’s growth. When you’re able to actively reach out to the community, you can then invite new members to join.

There are tons of ways to get involved with the church community. I’ve actually written about a few church ministry ideas HERE. But basically, you can reach out to people through events, social media, or even just talking to people in your community.

From experience, I can tell you that when your church is more visible and actively encouraging people to join, your congregation is going to gain momentum. It’s going to grow!

Moreover, church outreach should be strategic and intentional on your part. Connecting with the local community means focusing on their needs and their interests.

It’s not just about increasing numbers. It is about serving and making a real difference in the lives of others.

Building Relationships

Another topic I want to talk about really quickly before getting into the strategies is building relationships. Before you learn how to grow a small, struggling church, you need to learn how to build genuine relationships.

But why is this? People will not come to a church when they don’t know you on a real level.

The people who will become active members and participants in your church are the members who feel connected and valued. They are also the people who are more likely to stay.

As a pastor’s wife or woman in ministry, you have a really cool opportunity to build genuine relationships with members of your church. Take the time to get to know them personally, listen to their concerns, and involve them in church activities.

Building relationships on Sunday is great, but having a meet up, a prayer meeting or a fellowship during the week is even better. These ministries can further deepen the bonds between church members and may inspire others who also want that kind of relationship.

People will not come to a church when they don’t know you on a real level.

How To Grow A Small Struggling Church

Growing a small, struggling church requires dedication, strategic planning, and a heart for people.

Here are a few effective ways to help you grow your small, struggling church or even grow a church from scratch!

Focus on Community Outreach:

Engage with the Local Community

Start by identifying the needs and interests of your local community. Think about hosting events like free dinners, seasonal festivals, or holiday celebrations to bring people together.

These events create great opportunities for church members to interact with neighbors and can help to grow your church.

Partnerships

Form partnerships with the local schools, businesses, and non-profits in your area. Offer to support their events, such as providing volunteers for a school fair or co-sponsoring a community health clinic.

In return, invite these organizations to participate in your church events. This could be a great way to create a network of mutual support.

Service Projects

Why not create projects that actually address specific community needs? Does your community need a farm? Or do they need to paint a wall?

Try to organize regular food drives, or create a program to assist the elderly with home repairs. Publicize these efforts through local media and social media to try and raise awareness.

You can also invite participation from both church members and the broader community.

Enhance Your Worship Experience:

a Welcoming Atmosphere

First impressions truly do matter, especially in a church. Do your best to train a team of greeters to welcome everyone warmly as they enter the church.

Provide very clear, attractive signage to guide visitors to key areas like the sanctuary, the restrooms, and the children’s ministry. Ensure that you follow up with new attendees through personal phone calls, emails, or hand-written notes.

Thank them for their visit and inviting them to return.

Engaging Sermons

Even though church isn’t meant to be entertainment, it’s a good idea to ensure your sermons are relevant and inspiring. Think about including your own stories, practical examples, and current events to make messages more relatable to your members.

Consider using multimedia elements like videos or slides to make things easier to understand. Using multimedia can also help people to pay attention.

Aim to connect the Word of God to everyday life. Help your congregation to see how their faith can very much impact their personal and professional lives.

Modern Music

I’m not the biggest fan of all contemporary Christian music for various reasons. However, blending Biblically-sound contemporary worship music with traditional hymns can and will appeal to a wider audience.

If you can, try to invest in quality sound equipment and ensure your worship team is well-rehearsed. Occasionally, invite Christian guest musicians or worship leaders to bring fresh perspectives and new energy to your services.

Use Social Media and Technology:

a Social Media Presence

Create accounts for your church on major social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Regularly post engaging content to get people interested in your church.

Content can include inspirational/Biblical quotes, behind-the-scenes glimpses of church life, and testimonials from current members. Use your social media to announce any upcoming events, share sermon highlights, and celebrate church milestones.

Take the time to engage with followers by responding to comments and messages promptly.

Live Streaming

Invest in quality live streaming equipment and software to help broadcast your services online. There are free alternatives that you can use, but you may eventually need to upgrade.

Promote your live stream on social media and your website by encouraging people to join from anywhere. The great thing about social media is that you can attend a church service online no matter where you are in the world.

You should also consider offering interactive elements, like a live chat during the service, to make online attendees feel included.

an Interactive Website

I’m a big promoter of having a user-friendly website for your church. It doesn’t even have to be expensive either. Starting with a free WordPress website is a good idea for those on a budget.

Create a website that reflects your church’s identity and mission. Include detailed information about your services, the ministries you have, and any events.

Provide easy ways for visitors to connect, such as contact forms, event registration, and online giving options. Regularly update the site with new content to keep it fresh, relevant and ranking on Google.

Offer Small Groups and Bible Studies:

Variety of Groups

A great way to grow a small, struggling church is by offering a diverse range of small groups for different interests, age groups, and life stages. For example, you might have youth groups for young adults, child-care meetups for parents, knitting groups for retirees, or other hobby-based groups like book clubs or sports teams.

When you have these kinds of ministries, it ensures that everyone can find a group where they feel comfortable and connected.

Flexible Schedules

I’ve spoken about this before in another blog post, but it’s important to understand that people are busy. Everyone has a different schedule and multiple commitments.

Offer small groups at various times, including mornings, evenings, and weekends. Think about offering virtual groups for those who cannot attend in person, using platforms like Zoom to facilitate meetings.

nurture Connections

I’ve talked about this earlier on but I’m going to say it again because it works! If you want your small church to grow and keep growing then you need to form real, authentic relationships.

Encourage these kinds of meaningful relationships within your small groups by promoting an atmosphere of openness and trust. Provide group leaders with training and resources to help them carry out proper discussions and support members.

Organize occasional gatherings for all small groups to come together, share their experiences, and build a broader sense of community.

Invest in Leadership and Volunteer Development:

Training Programs

Growing your small, struggling church also means growing your leadership spiritually and professionally. Think about offering regular leadership training sessions for church leaders and any volunteers who want to level up their skills and knowledge.

These training sessions could include workshops on leadership, public speaking, conflict resolution, Bible study, sermon delivery, and specific ministry areas like youth work or pastoral care.

You could also bring in some guest speakers or send leaders to conferences for additional learning opportunities.

Mentorship

A great way to grow a small, struggling church is a mentorship program. Establish a mentorship program where older, more spiritually mature members can support and guide newer members of the congregation.

This kind of mentorship could involve one-on-one meetings, group mentoring sessions, or pairing new volunteers with seasoned leaders. Mentorship can help your members grow in their faith and develop the skills needed to serve effectively.

Appreciation

This is one of my favorite ways to grow a small church. Take the time to show your faithful, hardworking church members that you appreciate them.

You can show appreciation for the contributions of volunteers and leaders through regular recognition events, thank-you notes, and on the church’s bulletin board. Think about hosting an annual volunteer appreciation banquet or providing small tokens of gratitude, like gift cards or personalized gifts.

I’ve seen how small acts of appreciation can encourage existing church members to invite new people. These new people are more likely to stay because they see just how much you honor and recognize the accomplishments of your church congregation and want to be part of that.

Tips for Increasing Weekly Church Attendance

Okay so you’ve got a few fantastic ideas for how to grow a small, struggling church, right? But once you grow your church, how do you make sure they keep coming every week? That’s where this section comes in.

Let’s take a look at a few ways to increase weekly church attendance:

Improve Member Involvement:

It’s one thing to attend a church, but it’s an entirely different thing to actively participate in church. This is one of the lessons I’ve learned throughout my travels.

Encourage your new members to plug in and actively involve themselves in the church’s activities. Assign members to various roles and responsibilities, such as greeters, ushers, hospitality, or small group leaders.

Create a list of volunteer opportunities for different ministries, such as children’s programs, outreach efforts, or youth ministries. When you get your church members involved, they feel a real sense of ownership and commitment to the church.

When your church members feel this way, they are way more likely to attend church regularly. This paired with the appreciation efforts I mentioned above will definitely increase your weekly church numbers.

Have a Clear and Consistent Schedule:

So I know I spoke about having a flexible schedule for small groups above. But for your main Sunday service I think it’s really important to have a clear and consistent schedule for church services and events. Lemme explain.

If you have a restaurant that opens whenever the owner feels like it, and has odd closing hours, less people are likely to go there to eat. The Church is the same way.

When you have a clear, fixed schedule, this makes it easier for members to plan and ensures they know when to show up. It’s also helpful to have a schedule that is easy to find and access, whether it’s on your church’s website, social media, or in print.

A well-organized calendar can help prevent scheduling conflicts and ensures that events are spaced out appropriately. Regular reminders through emails, newsletters, announcements, and digital platforms can also keep your church events at the forefront of your members’ minds.

Focus on Member Retention:

My final thought on this is quite, and so I’m going to mention it here. When you have grown your church, and are seeing the fruits of your labor, please don’t stop there. The next phase is focusing on retaining those members along with your existing ones.

While attracting new members is important, retaining current members should also be a priority. Make sure to regularly check in with your members and address any concerns or issues they might be experiencing.

You can also involve them in certain decision-making processes and provide opportunities for them to use their skills and talents within the church.

Final Thoughts:

Growing a small, struggling church is not an easy task, but it is so rewarding to see what God is doing through you and your church. As a pastor’s wife or woman in ministry, you have such an amazing chance to be part of your church’s growth and success.

Try not to get discouraged when you face the challenges I’ve mentioned above. Everyone experiences bumps in the road to growing. It’s a normal part of the process.

As long as you remain prayerful, keep being faithful, and follow the advice gave you above, you’ll be on your way to increasing your church’s membership in no time!

Happy thriving!

All my love,

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