New churches that grow

After four years the average US church plant has an attendance of over eighty people. According to Stetzer and Connor here are some factors associated with larger worship attendance in church plants:

• The church planter has been through an assessment
• The planter has realistic expectations of growth that are met
• The planter works full time in the church plant and is paid, including health cover
• Even better, there are multiple staff members on the team from the beginning
• The plant meets in a school or theatre
• They run special events for children and block parties for outreach in the community
• They mail out information about services and programs
• New members are intentionally discipled and sign a covenant
• Members are taught to give, so that the plant becomes self-sufficient financially
• Members are trained in leadership and given leadership roles
• The new church has a daughter church within three years

Church PlantingEd Stetzer