Since the first day we started CCV, until now, we’ve faithfully abided by one enduring value: we will grow our church through conversion growth only. Never transfer growth.
The Mission of the Church
To us the reason is simple – Jesus came to earth, lived, died, and was resurrected to send the Church out into the world to reach people who aren’t Christ followers yet. That’s why since day one we’ve…
- De-invited Christians from church on Easter, Christmas, and other highly attended days (i.e. “If you’re a Christian here today from a Bible-believing church, please don’t come back. Go back to your church and make that awesome.”).
- Pleaded with our people to NEVER invite Christians to our church.
- Barred Christians from becoming members if they have unresolved conflict in their previous church (until they go back, resolve it, and we get a letter from the church’s leadership). In my experience, 75% of church transfers are running from Matthew 18.
If reaching non-Christians is every church’s mission, why the heck would a church advertise in a book designed to be read by Christians?
Now, of course there’s absolutely nothing wrong with Christians doing business with one another. We encourage that in our church (with the caveat that just because they’re a Christian doesn’t mean they’re any good at what they do).
But using the excuse, “we just want to let Christians that are moving into the area know that we’re here” is lame.
Advertising to Christians Betrays the Mission of the Church
Churches that advertise in this book and the church page in the newspaper, and on other “Christian” advertising sites like them are strategically trying to attract Christians.
They have betrayed the gospel.
They are lazy, unimaginative, and disobedient.
I tell Senior Pastors that I coach, that our church could have easily grown to be twice the size it is today by stealing Christians from other churches, but what would that have accomplished? Nothing, other than stroking my ego, hurting other churches, and trapping more Christians into an insular, self-serving culture. That’s just for starters.
Church leaders, let the other churches in your region know that you have their back 100%.
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Repent.
Be the church.
Go find lost people.
(Okay, I’m stepping down from my soapbox now.)
As a Senior Pastor, what are the methods you use to ensure your church is growing through conversion growth and not transfer growth?
