9 Barriers to Church Growth and How to Overcome Them

Growing a church is not easy. It takes work. Lots and lots of work.

The unfortunate reality is that there are many barriers to church growth. These barriers can hinder the potential growth and impact of a church, making it difficult to reach more people and make a difference in the community.

The good news is that these barriers can be overcome. 

In this article, we'll discuss some common barriers to church growth and how to overcome them.

Lack of Vision

One of the greatest barriers to church growth is a lack of vision. If you don't have a clear understanding of where you want your church to go and what you want it to be, then it's unlikely that you’ll see much growth.

In Proverbs 29:18, it says, "Where there is no vision, the people perish". This verse highlights the importance of having a clear vision for your church. Without a vision, there is no direction or purpose for the church to strive towards.

Vision is essential for motivating and directing the efforts of both leaders and members in the church. Without a strong vision, people can become complacent or lose interest in actively participating in the growth of the church.

Do you have a vision for your church? Do you know where you're headed and what you're trying to accomplish? Can you articulate the mission of your church in a sentence? If not, you've got some work to do.

It's essential to establish a clear vision for your church and communicate it effectively to your members. If you don't have a mission statement for your church, get to work crafting one. If you don't have goals you're trying to achieve, set some. 

Regularly remind the members of your church of what you're trying to accomplish together. Talk about your mission statement consistently and keep the church involved in pursuing goals together.

Failure To Pray

There is no real church growth without prayer. Lots of prayer. You may be able to gather a crowd on your own, but only God can create true spiritual growth.

In Matthew 7:7, Jesus says, "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." If we truly desire growth for our church, we must pray fervently for it. Yes, we should try to implement church growth strategies and market our church as effectively as possible. But without God, those strategies won't accomplish much.

Prayer not only helps us align ourselves with God's will, but it also allows us to surrender control to Him. It's easy as leaders to get caught up in our own plans and strategies, but ultimately, it's God who brings true growth and success to our church.

So make prayer a priority in your church. Set aside time for corporate prayer gatherings, encourage individual prayer among members, and constantly seek God's guidance and direction through prayer.

Divided Leadership Team

If your leadership team is divided in terms of the purpose and mission of the church, you'll have a hard time growing your church. A united front is crucial for the success of any organization, including a church. When leaders are on different pages, it can create confusion and hinder progress.

In Psalm  133:1, it says, "How good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity!" This verse emphasizes the importance of unity among believers and leaders. Unity allows for effective decision-making, clear communication, and a stronger sense of community within the church.

So how do you pursue unity as a leadership team? Start by regularly praying together and asking God to bring the entire team onto the same page. Ask God for united hearts and minds as you lead the church. You can be sure that this is a prayer God wants to answer.

Additionally, have regular meetings where you can discuss and align on the vision and goals of the church. Humility should be the primary attitude of everyone in attendance. Encourage open communication and actively listen to each other's perspectives. Pray together as a team to seek guidance from God when making decisions. Remember that ultimately, you are all working towards the same goal - growing God's kingdom.

If there is conflict within the leadership team, work together until the conflict has been resolved. Don't settle for division between members of the leadership team. Rather, zealously pursue unity of purpose with one another.

Limited Outreach

If you want your church to grow, you have to reach out to your local community. You can't be insular as a church and expect growth. Rather, you need to have an outward focus. A focus on reaching those who don't know God and don't attend church.

In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus commands us to "go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." This is the Great Commission, and it is the mission of the church.

Encourage every member of your church to regularly invite friends and neighbors to come to church. Have your leadership team brainstorm creative ways to reach out and connect with the community. This could include hosting events, volunteering in local organizations, or partnering with other churches in outreach efforts.

Remember, reaching out doesn't just mean physically bringing people into the church building. It can also involve going out into the community and meeting people where they are at. Show them God's love through acts of service and kindness. Build relationships and share the gospel through your actions and words.

Lack of Discipleship

Growing the church is not just about gaining new members, but also about nurturing and discipling them. Remember, in the Great Commission, Jesus commanded us to make disciples, not just converts. If members are not being adequately discipled, spiritual growth can stagnate, leading to a lack of involvement and commitment.

As such, it's important for churches to have discipleship strategies in place. These discipleship strategies should help people grow in their love for God and one another. They should help people live their lives based on the Bible rather than the shifting sands of current culture.

This might look like

• Small groups
• Mentorship programs
• Bible studies
• Service opportunities
• Prayer groups

Find what works best for your church and make sure to provide opportunities for members to grow in their faith and understanding of the Bible. As they become more rooted in their faith, they will also become more committed to the mission of the church.

Additionally, encourage accountability within the church community. Discipleship involves not just learning about God's Word, but also living it out in our daily lives. Encourage members to hold each other accountable and challenge one another to live out their faith authentically.

Doctrinal Splits

Doctrinal splits are another potential hindrance to church growth. When the church is split over a particular doctrine, it can lead to animosity and division within the body of believers. This not only affects the unity of the church, but it also hinders its ability to effectively share the gospel with others.

And while it's not always possible to avoid doctrinal splits, there are some things you can do to minimize them happening.

First, your church needs to have a clear, biblical statement of faith in place that members must affirm. This will help to prevent confusion and disagreements on core beliefs. Your statement of faith should be rooted in scripture and should focus on the clearest, plainest teachings of scripture.

For example, your statement of faith should focus on the truth of the Trinity rather than end-times minutiae over which there is much debate.

Second, encourage healthy discussions and debates on various theological issues within the church. This allows for differing viewpoints to be heard and discussed in a respectful manner, rather than leading to division.

Lastly, always prioritize unity and love. Remind members that while we may have different interpretations of certain doctrines, our ultimate goal as a church is to glorify God and share His love with others.

Failure To Adopt Technology

Not having the right tools in place at your church can also be a barrier to church growth. There are a number of technologies that have become almost expected in church, and if your church doesn't have those technologies, you might find yourself struggling to grow.

What sort of technology are we talking about?

First, digital giving options. Many people don't carry cash or checks with them anymore, and if your church doesn't offer a way to give electronically, you may be missing out on potential donations. These donations could be used to fund various programs that would attract new people. Platforms like Tithely make it incredibly simple to accept donations in all forms and to route those donations to the right programs.

Church Management Software (ChMS) can also help your church grow by streamlining administrative tasks and allowing for easier communication with members. ChMS platforms such as Breeze can help track attendance, manage volunteer schedules, and send out mass communications to members. These tools not only make it easier for your church to function, but they also create a more organized and efficient environment that can attract new members. 

A strong website is also crucial for church growth. Your website is often the first point of contact for potential visitors, so it needs to be informative, visually appealing, and easy to navigate. It should also include information about your church's mission, beliefs, and upcoming events.

If you don't have a website or if your current website is outdated, consider using a platform like Tithely Websites to easily create a modern and functional site.

No Family Programming

If your church doesn't have family programming, you're going to have a difficult time growing. The reality is that most families decide whether or note they're going to attend a church based on the programming available.

Families are looking for a welcoming and safe environment for their children where they can learn about faith and connect with peers. They're looking for a space where the entire family can come together and be spiritually fed.

Consider adding family programming such as Sunday school, youth groups, or family events to attract more families to your church. Offering family-friendly activities like movie nights, game nights, or summer camps can also be effective in attracting new families. These events give families an opportunity to get involved with the church and build relationships with other members.

Inadequate Follow-Up With New People

If you don't have a solid follow-up process in place for new people, many of them will probably slip through the cracks. This is a real shame. These people have already demonstrated that they're interested in your church. All you had to do was follow up.

It's essential to continue to engage with potential new members after their initial visit. You want them to know how grateful you are that they came for a visit and how much you would like to see them again.

Consider having a designated person or team in charge of following up with visitors, whether it's through phone calls, emails, or handwritten notes. Make sure they feel welcomed and valued by thanking them for attending and inviting them back.

You can also offer resources such as information about your church, upcoming events, and ways to get involved. This shows that you care about their experience and want them to be a part of your community.

Remember, following up isn't just about getting people to come back; it's also about building relationships and making them feel like they belong. Don't let potential new members slip through the cracks because of inadequate follow-up.

Final Thoughts

Feeling discouraged by all these barriers to church growth? That's understandable. These barriers can certainly be difficult to overcome.

But there's some good news.

Jesus is building His church. Nothing can stop it. 

Trust in God's plan and continue to work towards church growth. Don't give up hope. Remember, it's not about numbers or success metrics; it's about spreading the message of love and hope found in Jesus Christ. Keep pushing forward, trusting in God's plan, as you work towards building His kingdom on earth.

‍