How can we keep the church growing? How can we reach more people? What is something our church can improve on to reach the community? These might be questions you have asked before; questions that may come up in board meetings or business meetings. If that is the case, you are not alone, and Richie Halversen may have some answers for you in his Church Growth 101 meetings.
During his first session, Halversen stated that discipleship is the people of God getting, growing, and going together. After a global pandemic, it is now more important than ever to spend time together. Referencing texts such as Acts 2:6 and Hebrews 10:24-25, he pointed out the biblical importance of community as well as medical insights on how loneliness can impact health even more than other leading causes of illness such as obesity and smoking.
Halversen also shared information on how to reach different age groups. While generations such as The Silent Generation and Baby Boomers are more likely to be attracted to a church that embraces
biblical truth, younger generations such as Millennials and Gen Z are interested in churches that provide genuine connection.
He then expanded on participation in life groups as a way to develop deeper relationships and make needed connections. “People don’t leave because they don’t know enough,” he said. “They leave because they’re not loved enough … we need to do life together.”
—JESSICA PIERET