Breaking the 125 Barrier in Your Church Plant By Dr. Tom Cheyney

BREAKING THE 125 BARRIER IN NEW CHURCH GROWTH

It is astounding to realize that 90 percent of all churches today are not growing, and that churches with total members 50 percent of them have plateaued. Another 19 percent have declined, leaving only 31 percent of these churches that are growing.

In smaller congregations, several functions are important in helping new members become part of the congregation. These functions have been referred to by Kurt Lewin and Carl S. Dudley as: – the gatekeeper, –the patriarch, and –the matriarch.

Some Particular Personalities Found in the Gatekeepers, Matriarchs, and Patriarchs.

EIGHT PERSONALITIES FOUND IN ANY CHURCH

THE STORYTELLER

THE FIRST SERGEANT OF THE LORD

THE MR. EXECUTIVE ORDER

THE EARLY BIRD

THE SCOREKEEPER

THE SPARKPLUG

THE PEACEMAKER

THE BELLRINGER

Some Particular Personalities Found in the Gatekeepers, Matriarchs, and Patriarchs. The Storyteller: He is the living historian who may embellish for the pleasure of the listeners. The First Sergeant of the Lord: This individual makes it clear that he is not really in charge, but the one who is in charge is "not immediately available." And that he is only making decisions "according to policy."

The Mr. Executive Order: He functions just a little lower than God or the pastor, depending how much "authority" he requires to get what he desires. The Early Bird: This person is always early and one of the chief cheerleaders for the church. The Scorekeeper: He has been called the referee in some congregations, but his job is to see who is winning.

The Sparkplug: This person usually carries two buckets with him. One is water to put out the potentially destructive fires for his comrades. The other is kerosene to make his opposition burn into destruction. The Peacemaker: This is a quality that needs to be promoted in the church. It is the unifying quality that keeps things together. The Bellringer: Some call him the clock watcher. This is the one who reminds the pastor that it is time to quit and that there is no such thing as a bad short sermon.

CAN A SMALL CHURCH BECOME A LARGER CHURCH?

ELEVEN STRENGTHS OF CHURCHES APPROACHING 125 PARTICIPANTS A WELL RESPECTED PASTOR A WELL LOCATED FACILITY A STABLE & CAPABLE LAY LEADERSHIP A PHYSICAL CAMPUS WITH EXPANDABLE ROOM

ELEVEN STRENGTHS OF CHURCHES APPROACHING 125 PARTICIPANTS A HIGH VISITOR FLOW RATIO A SOLID FINANCIAL PLATFORM A STRONG SOCIAL MIX AN INTACT SUNDAY SCHOOL ORGANIZATION

ELEVEN STRENGTHS OF CHURCHES APPROACHING 125 PARTICIPANTS ADDITIONAL PROPERTY AVAILABLE FOR FUTURE EXPANSION THREE ENTRANCE POINTS OR MORE A MINDSET AMONG LAITY FOR GROWTH

SIX OBSTACLES OF CHURCHES APPROACHING 125 PARTICIPANTS THE OBSTACLE OF AGE THE OBSTACLE OF ONE PROFESSIONAL STAFF MEMBER THE OBSTACLE OF COMPLETELY FILLED BUILDINGS

SIX OBSTACLES OF CHURCHES APPROACHING 125 PARTICIPANTS THE OBSTACLE OF NON- FUNCTIONAL CHILDREN’S AND YOUTH PROGRAMS THE OBSTACLE OF TWO ENTRANCE POINTS THE OBSTACLE OF ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

ISSUES TO CONFRONT AT THE 125 BARRIER PROGRAMMING ENTRANCE POINTS

BREAKING THE 125 BARRIER REQUIRES HAVING AT LEAST FOUR ENTRANCE POINTS

ENTRANCE POINTS CHURCH STAFF DEVELOPMENT CHURCH FELLOWSHIP PASTOR LEADERSHIP STYLE SHIFT (2 Shifts Required)

ENTRANCE POINTS CONGREGATION GOALS FACILITIES AND SPACE NEW MEMBER ASSIMILATION STRUCTURE

ENTRANCE POINTS LAY LEADERSHIP MINISTRY FOCUS

TEN SPECIFIC ACTIONS PROGRAMMING ENTRANCE POINTS CHURCH STAFF DEVELOPMENT CHURCH FELLOWSHIP PASTORAL LEADERSHIP

TEN SPECIFIC ACTIONS CONGREGATIONAL GOALS FACILITIES & SPACE

TEN SPECIFIC ACTIONS NEW MEMBER ASSIMILATION STRUCTURE MINISTRY FOCUS