Students of church growth have identified several logjams where churches tend to get stuck. These sticking points are commonly called “church growth barriers.” When a church reaches a certain size, it struggles to grow beyond that size, whether 75, 200, 400, or beyond. Studying these barriers, we can find built-in dynamics of human relationships and communities that contribute to them. And we can discover helpful and biblical principles for breaking through them.
Specifically, one of the most powerful barriers in church growth is the “200 barrier” to church growth. The dynamics, leadership, and strategies required beyond 200 people in a church are dramatically different than leading a church under 200 people. So many churches get stuck below 200 and never grow beyond it. Thankfully, we can all grow in our leadership, so that we can prepare to break through barriers and reach people with the good news.
In this series, I want to walk through some best practices and principles for leading your church to grow. This first article will address two of the most powerful barriers that prevent churches from growing beyond 200. That said, the principles apply to churches of all sizes, and they start with church leaders and pastors.
Church Growth, Discipleship, and the Gospel of Grace
I think that often talking about growth gets pooh-poohed in Episcopal Church circles. “You’re just about butts in pews; this is a business model of measuring success”, etc. I think some of that is just defensiveness. But I do think it is important to articulate theologically why church growth matters, what theologically sound church growth would look like. Would you say you have a theology of church growth?
6 Steps to Eliminate Confusion for Unchurched in Your Worship Services
Our worship services often bring unnecessary confusion to non-Christians. Here’s how to communicate more clearly and effectively.
Why Some Pastors Stay for Decades (and Thrive in Their Churches)
In this episode, Josh and Sam explore what sets apart pastors who stay at one church for ten, twenty, or even thirty years and still lead with energy and joy. Long-tenured pastors aren’t just “hanging on.” They’ve built habits that sustain both their soul and their ministry. They’ve weathered criticism, resisted the lure of greener grass, and chosen faithfulness over constant movement.
Dallas bishop discourages use of expansive-language liturgies, favors ‘unity’ in 1979 prayer book
All dioceses in The Episcopal Church regularly rely on the 1979 Book of Common Prayer to structure their worship services. The bishop of the Diocese of Dallas wants his diocese’s congregations to refrain from using any other liturgical text, at least on Sundays.
Julian of Norwich pilgrimage site seeks funds for sustainable future
A church connected with a 14th century female mystic has begun a campaign to ensure its long term future as a both a parish community and a pilgrimage destination.
Mother Julian of Norwich was an anchoress attached to St Julian’s Church and scholars believe she took her name from it. Born in the mid-thirteen hundreds, Mother Julian took vows of poverty and chastity, and to be anchored to one place...
Julian is credited with writing the first known book in the English language authored by a woman. Revelations of Divine Love details a series of visions or revelations Julian received while seriously ill.
Magnifica Humanitas and Anglican Christian Socialism: We Have Been Here Before
This essay concludes a series on AI and Pope Leo XIV’s May 26, 2026 encyclical Magnifica Humanitas. A round-up with links to all essays will be available later this month.
Albert Mohler Revises SBC Amendment on Women Preaching Ahead of 2026 Annual Meeting
On Tuesday, Dr. Albert Mohler provided clarification to the Truth & Unity Amendment he plans to propose during the Southern Baptist Convention’s (SBC) annual meeting next week.
Last month, the president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary announced plans to propose a motion to amend the SBC Constitution to clarify women’s preaching and leadership roles in SBC churches.
A new report by Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) has warned that despite Mexico's strong constitutional protections for freedom of religion or belief (FoRB), many religious minorities continue to face discrimination, violence and displacement, while authorities frequently fail to intervene.
The report, Protection on Paper: The Situation of Freedom of Religion or Belief in Mexico, says that legal safeguards often exist only in theory, with serious violations continuing across several regions of the country.
UN issues sobering warning about looming El Niño
A new warning was issued on June 2 about the looming El Niño climate pattern.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the United Nations' weather agency, said there's an 80% likelihood of an El Niño event starting this summer.
The prospect of a strong El Niño raises fears of additional heat, including marine heat waves, piling on top of long-term climate warming. Forecasts are raising alarms globally because of the pattern's powerful influence over the world's weather, and a strong event could create ripple effects for months to come.
Why heavier rain can mean less usable water as global warming intensifies
A Dartmouth study shows that annual rainfall in much of the world has consolidated over the past four decades into heavier storms with longer dry periods in between.
A hailstorm can undo a season's work in minutes. It can strike quickly and unevenly, shredding wheat, bruising fruit, flattening crops—while also leaving neighboring paddocks untouched. In a new Nature Climate Change study, scientists from UNSW Sydney say the geography and seasonality of that risk is changing.
How to Plan a Year of Preaching (5 Principles That Work)
Here are five principles for planning a year of preaching that will serve you, your team, and your congregation well.
10 Theses on Intercession
The English word “intercede” comes from two words meaning to “go between”. The Greek word means to speak to someone on behalf of another. Intercession is one of the four central kinds of prayer, remembered by the acronym ACTS. In adoration, we praise God in our prayers (Ps. 34:1-3). In thanksgiving, we express gratitude to him (Ps. 9:1-2). In confession, we acknowledge our sins (Ps. 41:4). In supplication, we make requests, either for ourselves or for others—which is intercession.
Solving Your Top 5 Mission Trip Problems
A mission trip is like the Olympic steeplechase: You run as fast as you can over every imaginable obstacle to get to the finish line. Maybe your obstacle is the girl who shows up with five large luggage bags. Or maybe it’s the guy who’s wearing clothes that won’t work well in your context.
We’ve learned over the years that some “unforeseen” obstacles can be obliterated before they become significant issues. We want to attack mission trip problems in creative ways to streamline our trips and tear down barriers that keep us from our ministry focus.
Our worship services often bring unnecessary confusion to non-Christians. Here’s how to communicate more clearly and effectively.
Why Some Pastors Stay for Decades (and Thrive in Their Churches)
In this episode, Josh and Sam explore what sets apart pastors who stay at one church for ten, twenty, or even thirty years and still lead with energy and joy. Long-tenured pastors aren’t just “hanging on.” They’ve built habits that sustain both their soul and their ministry. They’ve weathered criticism, resisted the lure of greener grass, and chosen faithfulness over constant movement.
Dallas bishop discourages use of expansive-language liturgies, favors ‘unity’ in 1979 prayer book
All dioceses in The Episcopal Church regularly rely on the 1979 Book of Common Prayer to structure their worship services. The bishop of the Diocese of Dallas wants his diocese’s congregations to refrain from using any other liturgical text, at least on Sundays.
Julian of Norwich pilgrimage site seeks funds for sustainable future
A church connected with a 14th century female mystic has begun a campaign to ensure its long term future as a both a parish community and a pilgrimage destination.
Mother Julian of Norwich was an anchoress attached to St Julian’s Church and scholars believe she took her name from it. Born in the mid-thirteen hundreds, Mother Julian took vows of poverty and chastity, and to be anchored to one place...
Julian is credited with writing the first known book in the English language authored by a woman. Revelations of Divine Love details a series of visions or revelations Julian received while seriously ill.
Magnifica Humanitas and Anglican Christian Socialism: We Have Been Here Before
This essay concludes a series on AI and Pope Leo XIV’s May 26, 2026 encyclical Magnifica Humanitas. A round-up with links to all essays will be available later this month.
Albert Mohler Revises SBC Amendment on Women Preaching Ahead of 2026 Annual Meeting
On Tuesday, Dr. Albert Mohler provided clarification to the Truth & Unity Amendment he plans to propose during the Southern Baptist Convention’s (SBC) annual meeting next week.
Last month, the president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary announced plans to propose a motion to amend the SBC Constitution to clarify women’s preaching and leadership roles in SBC churches.
Also See: Understanding Al Mohler’s case against womenReport warns religious freedom protections in Mexico exist largely ‘on paper’
A new report by Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) has warned that despite Mexico's strong constitutional protections for freedom of religion or belief (FoRB), many religious minorities continue to face discrimination, violence and displacement, while authorities frequently fail to intervene.
The report, Protection on Paper: The Situation of Freedom of Religion or Belief in Mexico, says that legal safeguards often exist only in theory, with serious violations continuing across several regions of the country.
UN issues sobering warning about looming El Niño
A new warning was issued on June 2 about the looming El Niño climate pattern.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the United Nations' weather agency, said there's an 80% likelihood of an El Niño event starting this summer.
The prospect of a strong El Niño raises fears of additional heat, including marine heat waves, piling on top of long-term climate warming. Forecasts are raising alarms globally because of the pattern's powerful influence over the world's weather, and a strong event could create ripple effects for months to come.
Why heavier rain can mean less usable water as global warming intensifies
A Dartmouth study shows that annual rainfall in much of the world has consolidated over the past four decades into heavier storms with longer dry periods in between.
The archeological record shows that heavy rains that made planting new food crops impossible and caused existing food crops to rot in the field preceded extended periods of drought that lasted centuries, caused widespread famine, and contributed to the decline and collapse of more than one ancient civilization.Hail conditions on the move as winter crops face rising risk
A hailstorm can undo a season's work in minutes. It can strike quickly and unevenly, shredding wheat, bruising fruit, flattening crops—while also leaving neighboring paddocks untouched. In a new Nature Climate Change study, scientists from UNSW Sydney say the geography and seasonality of that risk is changing.
How to Plan a Year of Preaching (5 Principles That Work)
Here are five principles for planning a year of preaching that will serve you, your team, and your congregation well.
10 Theses on Intercession
The English word “intercede” comes from two words meaning to “go between”. The Greek word means to speak to someone on behalf of another. Intercession is one of the four central kinds of prayer, remembered by the acronym ACTS. In adoration, we praise God in our prayers (Ps. 34:1-3). In thanksgiving, we express gratitude to him (Ps. 9:1-2). In confession, we acknowledge our sins (Ps. 41:4). In supplication, we make requests, either for ourselves or for others—which is intercession.
Solving Your Top 5 Mission Trip Problems
A mission trip is like the Olympic steeplechase: You run as fast as you can over every imaginable obstacle to get to the finish line. Maybe your obstacle is the girl who shows up with five large luggage bags. Or maybe it’s the guy who’s wearing clothes that won’t work well in your context.
We’ve learned over the years that some “unforeseen” obstacles can be obliterated before they become significant issues. We want to attack mission trip problems in creative ways to streamline our trips and tear down barriers that keep us from our ministry focus.
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