10 Mistakes Pastors Make That Cause Their Churches Not To Grow Part 2.

It is not enough to simply want the church to grow without asking yourself what has been hindering it from growing. I believe by reading this you will be enlightened on what has been stalling the church growth you want. 

6. Not Doing Home Visitation. The best way to know the status quo of a congregant is by visiting them in their home. Looks can be deceiving because some dress well on Sunday whilst at home they are living in abject poverty. Nothing brings more joy for the flock than seeing their pastor visit them in the home. As a pastor myself I am overjoyed when my father visits me in the home.

7. Not Open To New Ideas. Some congregants, friends or mentors have great ideas for the ministry to grow but are disappointed because the pastor feels he knows it all. New knowledge always attracts new levels in ministry and without it growth is impossible.

10 Mistakes Pastors Make That Cause Their Churches Not To Grow Part 2.

8. Expecting Submission When You Are Not Submitted (1 Peter 5:5). You cannot ‘father’ unless you have been ‘fathered’. No one can effectively lead unless they have mastered the art of following. Without being submitted to a spiritual mentor the pastor has absolute power because no one can guide or correct him. Absolute power absolutely corrupts.

9. Overstepping Boundaries. When I started off in ministry I thought I ‘owned’ the people and that it was my duty to control them but I learnt the hard way that people have their own freewill which can only be changed by God’s word. Some pastors invade the privacy of their church members to the extent of even entering their bedrooms without permission. The church is not the pastor’s personal property.

10. Neglecting The Fundamentals Of Faith (Hebrews 6:1-2). Some pastors forget that they are children of God before they are men of God. They do not pray or read the bible except when they want a sermon from it. Being a child of God is what takes one to heaven. The question is what will it benefit to win the world and at the end lose your soul?

Bonus Point: Manipulating The Gifted In The Church. The flock is not there to compete with the shepherd but to complete the kingdom. Although God’s grace is sufficient, the pastor’s gift alone is not enough for effective church growth. Pastor Joyce Meyer once said, “We don’t have it all together but together we have it all.”