Strong, Not Just Big: Rethinking Church Growth
A new kind of growth—one rooted in obedience, not attendance.
For decades, churches have chased one major goal: bigger.
More seats. More services. More campuses.
But in this pursuit of bigness, we have to ask:
Are we building strong churches, or just big ones?
The early church didn’t have stages, lights, or marketing budgets.
What they had was power.
Conviction.
Boldness.
And a deep, unshakable commitment to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
The modern church must return to its roots—not just attracting crowds, but making disciples.
The Problem with Chasing Size
There’s nothing wrong with a growing church.
But if growth becomes the goal, we’ll be tempted to compromise the Gospel to keep the crowd.
We risk:
- Shallow preaching that entertains but doesn’t transform
- Passive pew-sitters instead of active disciple-makers
- Consumer Christianity where people attend, but never serve
- A culture of hype instead of a culture of holiness
When we measure success by size, we miss what matters most—spiritual strength.
What Does a Strong Church Look Like?
A strong church isn’t defined by how many people show up.
It’s defined by what those people do when they leave.
A strong church produces:
- Rooted believers who know the Word and live it
- Evangelists who share the Gospel wherever they go
- Servants who meet needs in the community without applause
- Disciples who reproduce themselves in others
- Worshippers who praise in spirit and in truth
It’s not about keeping people inside the building.
It’s about sending them into the world empowered and equipped.
Jesus Focused on Depth Before Breadth
Jesus didn’t build a crowd.
He built twelve.
And with that small group of strong, obedient men, He turned the world upside down.
Jesus didn’t measure success by attendance, but by obedience.
We should too.
It’s Time to Shift the Scoreboard
If we want to build churches that last, we have to start asking better questions:
- Are our people rooted in Scripture?
- Do they know how to share their testimony and the Gospel?
- Are we training leaders or just managing attendees?
- Are we equipping the saints for the work of the ministry (Ephesians 4:12, KJV)?
Because at the end of the day, strength reproduces strength.
And a strong church can change a family, a neighborhood, a city—even a generation.
Let’s Build Differently
Let the megachurch chase numbers.
Let our churches chase depth.
Let’s disciple over entertain.
Equip over impress.
Strengthen over expand.
Because when we build strong… we can’t help but grow the right way.salm 127:1a (KJV)
Coming next: Blog #2 – “Built Upon the Rock: Laying a Biblical Foundation”
Let’s talk about how doctrine—not branding—is what gives a church strength that lasts.
