3 Deadly “D’s” to church growth

July 30, 2010

Leadership

Don’t throw away the souls God brings to you! I have seen many people hurt and turned off by the church because pastors and leaders get confused about keeping their eye on what is most important… Loving and leading people into a passionate relationship with Jesus Christ…

If have seen (3) things that seem to have the most devastating effect, and hinder the growth of the church when these are brought forward as a primary focus…

Denomination

When you put forth denomination affiliation as a primary principle in the church, by default, you are excluding some. I’m not saying there is something wrong with denominational affiliation, but if it drives who you are, you will become “branded” by that affiliation rather than the mission God has called you too. Be true to your calling first and foremost, God has called you to reach people!

Doctrine

O boy, I know this is holy ground for some. You need to know what you believe, but if as a church you make your doctrinal beliefs (Not the ones that are “non-negotiable”, but the “always debated ones”) as a spoken, or unspoken requirement for acceptance and leadership, you are going to leave behind many God has given you. Not all will hold to a narrow view of doctrine, the more narrow your doctrine, the fewer you see brought into the Kingdom.

Dogma

This is what I call pure old fashioned “Pharisaicalism.” When you take a personal conviction and force it on others around you because you believe everyone should believe, act or not act in a certain way. Dogma literally crushes and takes the life out others around you! Believe it or not, you haven’t figured out God yet, so we have to understand and keep our list of “absolutes” as short as possible, and let the others, “be convinced in their on minds.”

About artie: I'm the lead Pastor at Cornerstone, a Multi-Ethnic church in the heart of Orangeburg, South Carolina. Also the founder of the Comb Network.com, a movement to plant Multi-Ethnic, culturally relevant churches in smaller cities. I direct a gathering of small city leader called "The Sticks."

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Cleve Walker

Well said, brother. The best thing any church leadership can do for their members is to help remove any impediments that stand between the people and a growing relationship with the Lord Jesus. If leaders are not constantly encouraging their members to pursue intimacy with Christ as their foremost objective, we are setting them up for spiritual disillusionment and burnout.
http://artiedavis.com artie

Remove the “impediments!” Yea, Cleve that sounds like a war chant. The more man authored things we put on God’s people, the further we drive them away from God, and encourage them to embrace the things of man.
http://www.jasoncurlee.com Jason Curlee

Great post

http://artiedavis.com artie

Thanks Jason! Love the new video on your FB. I am so stealing that!

http://herbhalstead.me Herb Halstead

Well spoken, Artie.

I think the 3 D’s that you list are, when properly contextualized and prioritized, are not “bad” – it’s when they are over-emphasized and over-reached when they go “bad”.

Also, I suppose you are using “dogma” in a vernacular sense – in systematic theology, dogma is the foundational core beliefs around which all Christians are united (i.e. Apostle’s creed). I think what you’re saying is that it’s when we over-reach and treat debatable, even trivial things as foundational that is dangerous – to that I say, “AMEN, brother!”

Good stuff – thanks!

http://artiedavis.com artie

Hey Herb,

“…treating the trivial as the the foundational..” Love that summary man, that hits it right on the head! Thanks for your insight.

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http://jonathanpearson.net Jonathan Pearson

Very well said my brotha. I’ve seen too many times how these exact 3 turn people off of the church for a lifetime. I don’t think we realize how devastating the damage is to people that are seeking to find what we should be giving them.

http://artiedavis.com artie

Yea, and what makes me “righteously” angry is that many think they are doing the right thing by sending those “sinners” away.

I’m looking for some tables to turn over right now!

http://jonathanpearson.net Jonathan Pearson

If you need some help flipping those tables, let me know!

Anon

It is very rare for me to come across such positive literature on religious gatherings.

I am not into Jesus but believe it or not, my father is…

Doctrine, Denomination and Dogma sounds about right. Could be big turn offs for people finding God. However, a little Discipline never hurt anyone so long as is worthy pursuit. I will add one more thing, Derelicting, if it can be a word. Not every person can take the pressure of what could be seen as recruiting. Casting them out, because they do not have the heart or the determination to bring others with them can put a lot of pressure on them. Requirements to attend an event requiring that another come with them isn’t something that someone needing or wanting God should have to go through. Jmo… Hope that helps.
http://cristocentro.net Joe

Outstanding post! Straight to the point and concise…Thanks…Joe

http://artiedavis.com artie

Thanks Joe, have a great weekend my friend

http://michaelreid.net Michael

I don’t know how I missed this post but man, you are right one target! These 3 D’s equal D-D-D-Death for a church!
http://www.ReligionRehab.net Jason Elam

Wow! Great advice! Especially helpful for those of us in the formative process of planting a new church! We’ll be keeping all of this in mind and acting accordingly!

Thanks, Artie. Hoping to say hi in person at The Sticks in a couple of weeks.

http://artiedavis.com artie

Thanks Jason, I checked out your new “Revolution church” Plant, sounds awesome! Love your vision. Would love to talk further. Email me: artie@cornerstonecommunity.com.

http://twitter.com/artiedavis/status/10723577905025024/ Artie Davis (@artiedavis) (@artiedavis)

3 Deadly "D’s" to church growth http://is.gd/h8BrR