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
The annual megachurch list is one of CHRISTIAN STANDARD’s most popular features. Megachurches average 2,000 or more in weekly attendance and emerging megachurches average 1,000 to 1,999. This chart lists statistics from 2005. Click here to see the list of 2005 Megachurches.
March 25, 2009
By Brad Dupray On a weekend in January, with a gospel message and three baptisteries filled and ready to go, Jeff Vines, senior pastor of Christ”s Church of the Valley (CCV) in San Dimas, California, challenged people to follow Christ”s call to be baptized. Right then, in the clothes they were wearing, 482 people responded and were immersed into Christ. The church saw another 119 baptisms the following weekend. Jeff calls himself “a missionary at heart,” having served on mission fields in Zimbabwe and New Zealand. He and his wife, Robin, moved from a teaching ministry at Savannah (Georgia) Christian
March 22, 2009
 By Darrel Rowland  On Long Island, fledgling True North Community Church is readily shelling out more than $2 million for a three-year-old building on four acres. In northeast Ohio, historic First Christian Church in Canton is meeting the payments for a $25 million relocation project from three years ago””for now. Along Florida”s Gulf Coast, rechristened New Day Christian Church faces an uncertain future because of its struggle to pay for a $5.5 million facility built about four years ago. While America”s economic woes are unquestionably hitting churches across the country, the varying experiences of this trio of growing
March 8, 2009
By Ben Cachiaras EDITOR’S NOTE: Contributing editor Ben Cachiaras wrote late in February to say Mountain Christian Church, where he ministers in Joppa, Maryland, was forced by the economy to initiate some cutbacks. “They were pervasive and widely felt,” he said. When he met with the church staff to explain the cuts, he challenged them by saying this crossroads was actually an exciting time for the church. “Matthew 28 does not say, “˜Go, and make disciples . . . as long as the Dow is up,”” he said. “While I would never wish economic disaster on anyone, I do know that
November 5, 2008
By Mark A. Taylor Living things grow, or they die. This is a fact I tend to forget every spring when I”m planting. I have this way of cramming too many plants into my borders and patio pots. But at the end of the summer everyone can see my folly. Zinnia struggle for sunlight as they poke their stems through the drooping stems of spent perennials planted too close beside them. Tomato vines sprawl, the vines poking through slats of the deck and snaking through daylilies nearby. I notice some plants have grown to the size of a small bush,
September 10, 2008
By Brad Dupray Indian Creek Christian Church (“The Creek”) in Indianapolis, Indiana, has a well-earned reputation as a church committed to expressing the truth of the gospel in creative ways through worship experiences. Gary Johnson has served as senior pastor at The Creek for 20 years, leading it from a church of 250 to 4,000 in weekend worship. Gary has been on more than 50 mission trips to foreign countries, teaching pastors and church leaders in cross-cultural settings. He has earned two master”s degrees from Cincinnati (Ohio) Christian University, a master”s degree from Lincoln (Illinois) Christian Seminary, and a DMin
September 7, 2008
By Dave Ferguson Golfer 1: “What was your score?” Golfer 2: “Seventy-two.” Golfer 1: “That”s not too bad at all!” Golfer 2: “Thanks! I hope I”ll do better on the second hole.” When a golfer steps up to a tee, he knows how to keep score. It”s simple: Every time he hits the ball it counts as a stroke. At the end of 18 holes, he tallies up how many strokes he took, and that is his score. WHAT”S THE SCORE AT YOUR CHURCH? So, how does your church keep score? Usually churches keep score by counting the attendance and
August 15, 2008
By Brad Dupray Dale Newberry has witnessed every facet of change for Ten Mile Christian Church (formerly Cherry Lane Christian Church), seeing the congregation in Meridian, Idaho, grow from an attendance of 60 to 1,300 in his 28 years as a member. When Dale and his wife, Cherrie, moved to Meridian, he was a nominal Christian, but as he got more involved and his relationship with Christ flourished he began teaching adult Sunday school, took classes at Boise Bible College, and eventually became an elder. He has served in that role for the past 20 years, today as chairman. Dale
August 10, 2008
By Mike Cahill The kingdom rarely comes as we expect. Jesus” humble beginning was a stumbling block for some because power does not normally come from weakness. Yet, Christ”s kingdom advances through surprisingly simple means. Smallness is big in Scripture. Jesus uses the smallness of a mustard seed as the pattern for potential in the kingdom””from a tiny seed to a great tree, from a handful of disciples to a kingdom spread over all the earth. When disciples act within God”s will, the power of his kingdom is shown through their lives. The results look like mountains moving or””a picture
August 10, 2008
By Leonard Wymore Every congregation already has in place the leadership to stimulate growth””it just needs fine-tuning! Every church, no matter the size, has a staff of associates. These will relate and serve together as a TEAM (Together Everyone Accomplishes More). The preacher is the coach and the volunteers are the associates. A TEAM OF ASSOCIATES For example, even small churches usually have a leading elder whose role is shepherding the congregation, a Bible school superintendent, a youth coach, a music leader, a missions chairperson, and a preacher. Why not give associate status to all such leaders? Each could prepare
August 3, 2008
By Russell Jarvis The Samsons of Waterford, Michigan, are a typical American family. So are the Ortegas of Tularosa, New Mexico. The Sulemans immigrated to Centerville, Virginia, last year. The Bakers retired to Bradenton, Florida, and the Kovalenkos bought a house in Wheaton, Illinois. The Ibangas started their twins in kindergarten in Havre de Grace, Maryland. Today”s Americans are multiethnic, formed into families of various definitions, young at heart, and older on the average. They enjoy reasonably good health and hope for pleasant retirements. They have found friends at work, at dance lessons, and at the fitness center. They may
July 16, 2008
By Mark A. Taylor Doug Wood, the subject of this week”s “CHRISTIAN STANDARD Interview,” has seen local churches make changes that preceded dramatic growth. Yet he emphasizes that external changes are not the “secret” to growth. His approach isn”t to force change, but first to build followers of Christ. This disciple-building generates change from the inside out. It”s the difference between watching your diet or getting your exercise versus dressing for success or getting plastic surgery. The latter are quicker and more dramatic. The former lead to long-term health. Wood”s own words, excerpted from the longer Web version* of his
April 13, 2008
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.
megachurch attendance is summarized here with average size figures, total weekend and Easter attendance, and baptisms across 113 churches. Megachurch attendance averages and growth highlights This snapshot also lists state-by-state counts, fastest-growing churches, and baptism ratio leaders. Average sizes are shown for megachurches, emerging megachurches, and all 113 churches. Growth highlights include fastest-growing churches (2007, since 1997, and since 2002) and a growth overview. Baptism totals, a baptism-per-100 ratio, and top churches by baptism ratio and total baptisms are included. By Kent Fillinger and Ben Simms WHAT IS “AVERAGE”? The 52 megachurches’ average size: 4,019 The 61 emerging megachurches’ average
April 13, 2008
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.
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.
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 13, 2008
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
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 9, 2008
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.
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