Your Vision and Ours
Mark A. Taylor explains why Christian Standard devotes a special issue to megachurches while urging churches to pursue their own God-given vision instead of copying others.
Church Growth
Church Growth explores how congregations can grow in healthy, gospel-centered ways—both spiritually and numerically. Find practical, Bible-based articles on outreach, evangelism, discipleship pathways, assimilation, small groups, leadership development, and building a strong church culture. You’ll also discover guidance on strengthening ministries, improving communication, engaging your community, and measuring progress with wisdom and humility. Whether you’re leading a church, serving on a ministry team, or helping a congregation move forward, these resources aim to support sustainable growth that honors Christ and forms disciples.
April 9, 2009
MEGACHURCHES: The 2005 List
CHRISTIAN STANDARD’s 2005 megachurch list reports statistics for churches averaging 2,000 or more in weekly attendance and emerging megachurches averaging 1,000 to 1,999.
October 8, 2008
Church Health and Attendance Numbers How Do They Relate?
Mark A. Taylor considers whether church health should be measured by attendance alone, weighing numerical growth against relational healing, discipleship, and congregational stability.
August 3, 2008
A Community for the Unchurched
Russell Jarvis examines why many unchurched Americans still seek authentic community and challenges churches to listen, rethink inherited practices, and recover a more relational expression of faith.
July 16, 2008
Interview with Doug Wood
Doug Wood explains how churches can address fear, build trust, recover Restoration principles, and pursue first-century growth without compromising biblical convictions.
July 16, 2008
Showing a Better Way
Mark A. Taylor reflects on Doug Wood’s reminder that healthy church growth begins with making disciples, not with polished programming, image-building, or crowd-attracting strategies.
June 1, 2008
You Can Cope with Change
John Derry urges churches facing stagnation to seek faithful catalysts for renewal, adapt wisely to changing conditions, and pursue growth without compromising their mission.
April 13, 2008
How Healthy Are Our Megachurches? (An Introduction)
Christian Standard’s annual megachurch issue expands its reporting with more analysis, health indicators, and an interview with Kent Fillinger. Learn about the 2007 Megachurch Report: Deluxe Edition and how readers can help identify missing churches.
April 13, 2008
The Best Indicator of Church Growth
Baptisms reveal whether churches are reaching the lost or just shifting believers. This article examines megachurch baptism ratios, giving-per-baptism figures, and why retaining new disciples matters for long-term growth.
April 13, 2008
And They Met Every Day (Almost)
Megachurches and emerging megachurches are offering worship services on multiple days and in multiple styles. Research across 113 churches suggests certain patterns—especially two service days and one or three worship styles—correlate with stronger growth.
By the Numbers (Megachurches and Emerging Megachurches)
Kent Fillinger and Ben Simms summarize 2007 megachurch attendance, growth trends, Easter attendance, baptisms, state-by-state counts, and leading churches by growth and baptism ratio.
April 13, 2008
Multisite Momentum
Multisite ministry is rising among megachurches and emerging megachurches, with growth data that looks promising but not automatic. This article explores what the numbers suggest—and why long-term commitment matters.
And the Award Goes to . . .
A quick “awards” roundup comparing emerging megachurches and megachurches across attendance growth, senior minister tenure, worship-service counts, multisite reach, baptisms per giving, missions participation, church planting, and per-person generosity.
Ministry Innovations and Changes
Megachurch and emerging megachurch leaders share ministry examples tied to growth—from outreach and new worship venues to staffing, small-group focus, and strategic changes that helped their churches expand.
April 9, 2008
Interview with Kent Fillinger
Kent Fillinger explains how megachurch metrics can become meaningful for smaller congregations, why adaptability matters, and how leadership transitions and succession planning may shape the movement’s future.
April 9, 2008
About Megachurches, for Every Church
This annual megachurch issue celebrates growth and baptisms while noting recent declines, offering smaller churches practical insights and pointing readers to the 2007 Megachurch Report: Deluxe Edition.
March 9, 2008
An Epidemic of Selfishness
Personal preferences can quietly become roadblocks to evangelism and growth. David Bycroft calls the church to Paul’s others-first attitude and offers practical ways congregations can cultivate selflessness for the sake of reaching the lost.
February 24, 2008
The Polysite Church
A ministry leader asks what to do for people who won’t step into a church service. Dave Ferguson explores why multisite isn’t enough for many and calls churches to become “polysite” in everyday places.
October 28, 2007
Let’s Celebrate
Bob Russell highlights reasons the Restoration Movement should celebrate, pointing to renewed evangelistic focus, church growth, and effective church planting across the country—even in places once considered hard soil.
October 21, 2007
Be Our Guest: 10 Tips for Visitor-Friendly Buildings
Practical environmental design tips can help first-time guests feel welcomed and find their way. From signage and space planning to smart finishing touches, these ten ideas show how churches can improve the visitor experience without overspending.
