Most pastors want to see their churches grow — spiritually and numerically.

But what exactly is growth, and how can you facilitate it in your context? Such questions are at the heart of this installment of Make It Count. The following 10 lessons (in both English and Spanish) unpack specific insights concerning spiritual and numerical growth in the Church:

1. Understand Growth. We tend to see growth as something we can control, but the reality is, growth is the outcome of God’s sovereign work in the Church and His people. Paul makes it clear that God is the One who makes things grow (1 Corinthians 3:6). 

2. Embrace Responsibility. While God makes things grow, leaders still have a role to play in the growth. Paul defined that role as planting and watering the seed (1 Corinthians 3:5–9). We must do our part while simultaneously ensuring we don’t do things to inhibit growth.

We tend to see growth as something we can control, but the reality is, growth is the outcome of God’s sovereign work in the Church and His people.

3. Engage Processes. People often think of growth as an event. However, true growth is a process that involves examining our lives and churches, engaging in learning, and putting those lessons into practice. At the center of the process is reliance on the Holy Spirit.

4. Recognize Seasons. Some growth seasons in churches involve launching or building momentum in a ministry. Other seasons are all about pruning for future growth or persisting during difficult seasons. Each season corresponds to a different dimension of growth.

5. Adjust Thinking. Growth requires a mindset that values learning and maturing. How we think is the baseline that puts growth within reach in our lives and churches. If our attitude is wrong, we will not fully realize our God-given capacity.

6. Close Gaps. Leaders and churches won’t grow if they’re unaware of growth gaps. Once we become aware, we must create a growth plan and assemble a growth team to help us close those gaps.

7. Develop Disciplines. The apostle Paul described discipline as the key for runners to win the prize. Similarly, to experience the full impact of growth, we must embrace spiritual, personal and organizational disciplines.

8. Practice Stewardship. As the Parable of the Bags of Gold illustrates, the wise stewardship of time, talent, treasure and influence reveals whether God can trust us with additional growth.

9. Multiply Progress. Growth was never meant to die with us. As we grow, we should invest in the people and churches around us. Our growth can be a catalyst of growth in others.

10. Measure Trends. We need to establish measurements that foster long-term health. Not only should we measure numbers, but we should also measure life change, spiritual vibrancy, and forward trends in the most important areas. 

As you read and discuss each lesson with your team, let these principles inspire you and your church to welcome the growth God desires.