How to Grow a Church from Scratch

Whether you’re at the beginning of your church planting journey or simply wondering how to grow your church, let me offer my encouragement right from the start. Despite the challenging cultural climate for churches in America today, your efforts are vital and appreciated.

The World Still Desperately Needs Churches. Here’s Why:  

My own experience in church planting began in 2016, and I was immediately confronted with a dilemma: with so many wonderful churches already established in my city, why would God call me to start another? This question often arises in the U.S., where churches are plentiful and church competition has often challenged unity in the Body of Christ. 

However, after much reflection, wise advice, and prayer, the answer became clear to me. Yes, more churches are needed! And yes, growing a church matters!

We need committed leaders—both women and men—to step up and reach out to those who are lost and to help revitalize our communities.

How to Grow the Church: The Modern Epidemic of Loneliness

This isn’t merely based on personal conviction but is also supported by recent findings. According to a Barna report on the Urban Church, many city residents see the Church as ideally positioned to tackle what they perceive as a "modern epidemic of loneliness." The report notes that while the Church might not be the first place people turn to for issues like crime or poverty, it is increasingly viewed as a pivotal player in addressing loneliness—a problem just as pressing as any social issue. 

Specifically, 17% of those who do not regularly attend church and 28% of regular attendees believe the Church is equipped to handle this issue, highlighting a critical role that new churches can fill.

Whether you’re working on growing a church from 50 to 100 or wondering how to increase church membership from 2,000 to 3,000, look at it this way: each new person who enters your church represents someone who might overcome loneliness. 

Tim Keller on How to Grow the Church

The late Tim Keller highlighted the importance of continual church planting in his 2002 article, which remains remarkably relevant today. He argued:

“The vigorous, continual planting of new congregations is the single most crucial strategy for (1) the numerical growth of the body of Christ in a city and (2) the continual corporate renewal and revival of the existing churches in a city.”

Keller’s perspective reinforces the notion that new churches aren't just additional numbers; they are crucial for both expanding community reach and invigorating existing congregations with new life and perspectives, directly addressing the pervasive loneliness many feel.

How to Grow a Church from Scratch: A Step-by-Step Guide

Whether you're exploring how to increase church membership or growing a church from 50 to 100, these steps are designed to help your church grow deep in discipleship and wide in outreach. 

Step #1: Make Prayer a Priority

When you're thinking about how to increase church attendance or boost your membership numbers, remember the big picture: it's all about growing the Church (with a capital “C”).

It’s important to realize that we're not doing this on our own. Psalm 127:1 tells us, "Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain." This verse reminds us that no matter how hard we try or how smart our strategies are, real growth in our church comes from teaming up with God. That’s why prayer should be at the top of our list. By putting prayer first, we invite God to guide us and shape our church’s journey, making sure our plans are in line with what He wants.

Step #2: Build up Your Volunteers

Your volunteers are essential—they're your front line, your A-team. They're the ones who are genuinely passionate because they feel they're a real part of the community. They're not just there to fill seats; they help out wherever needed, from setting up chairs to welcoming new faces and making sure there's always fresh coffee ready.

If you're looking to grow your church, a great place to start is by investing time and energy in these amazing volunteers. Spend time with your volunteers to really understand their hopes and ideas for the church. Pray together about how you can support their growth and encourage them to take active roles. 

Step #3: Attract New Visitors

Wondering how to increase church attendance overall? Getting new people through the doors is key to growing your church, and in today’s world, social media is your best tool for reaching out. Think of platforms like Instagram and Facebook as the modern-day roadways that guide people to your church.

Start by setting up engaging and targeted ads on these platforms. The goal here isn't just to get likes and shares, but to create real connections. Make sure your ads include a way for potential visitors to easily reach out or show interest. This could be through a simple form they fill out to learn more or even an invitation to a special event designed for newcomers.

This approach not only spreads the word about your church but also starts building relationships with potential new members right from their first click. By using social media strategically, you can draw in visitors who are looking for a new church home and are ready to engage with your community.

Step #4: Have a Game Plan to Welcome New Visitors

Once new visitors walk through your doors, the next crucial step is making sure they feel welcomed and valued. A great way to do this is by having dedicated team members who are specifically assigned to look after new guests.

Arrange for these welcoming volunteers to greet newcomers right from the start and ensure there's a clear, friendly process in place to introduce them around, especially to the pastor. It can make a huge difference when visitors personally meet the leadership; it makes the church feel more like a home and less like just another place to visit.

This personalized touch helps new visitors feel more comfortable and connected from their very first visit. By taking good care of them from the moment they arrive, you greatly increase the chances that they'll want to return and become a part of your church community.

Free online giving tools for your church

Tithely provides the best online tools to help you increase generosity, manage your church, and engage your church members.

Sign Up Free

Step #5: Prioritize Discipleship (How to Grow Your Church the Right Way!)

Ultimately, our mission is to create disciples, not just gather members. If you're wondering how to increase church membership or how to grow a church from scratch, start by placing a stronger emphasis on discipleship within your community.

Create clear pathways for discipleship that meet the needs of everyone, from newcomers to those who have been in their faith walk for years. Promote a supportive environment where everyone can advance together towards greater Christ-likeness. Offer a variety of learning opportunities, including small group discussions, structured discipleship courses, and one-on-one mentoring. By focusing on discipleship, you prepare your congregation to live their faith genuinely and have a real impact on the world around them.

Support Your Church Growth with Breeze’s ChMS

Looking for more ideas on how to grow your church? A significant aspect of growing a church is effectively managing the people and systems already in place. Tithely’s church management software is specifically designed to help with this. It supports congregations of all sizes by streamlining processes and simplifying the administrative tasks that you face as a church leader. This allows you to focus more on ministry and less on management, enhancing overall growth and engagement within your church community.

‍Click here to learn more about how Tithely can help you learn how to grow!