5-page paper synthesizing the 3-5 ideas from the readings that made the greatest impact on you, and how those ideas apply to yo

Recommendations for the Southern California
District Council of the Assemblies of God

In the Southern California District Council (SCDC) there are about 435 churches, of which almost half are District Affiliated (DA) churches under the supervision of the district. As a DA church, the district appoints both the pastor and the board. Over the past forty years, the SCDC has struggled with addressing this significant challenge. Current efforts focus on a six-year process of moving a DA church to the status of a General Council (GC) church. If a church is not able to obtain this status in six years, the district will consider closing the church and reallocating its assets to a new church planting effort.

Based on the experience gained from this project, I recognize the need for personalized care and supervision in smaller churches. Therefore, I recommend that the SCDC restructure the supervision of DA churches by appointing a director over this area of ministry. This position would free the District Superintendent to tend to other matters while delegating responsibility to the Director of DA churches. The director would work directly with the DA church’s presbyter and Sectional Leadership Team to appoint a pastor and board, when necessary.

Second, I recommend that the Director of DA churches develop a growth plan for each church. The implementation of this project in DA churches could provide a basic approach that is tailored to each specific church.

On the average, a church changes pastors about every five years, which means the SCDC will need to appoint approximately fifty new pastors and boards each year in DA churches. Consequently, I recommend that the Director of DA churches create a network of team players from within the district as well as around the country, who could step into a DA church for a period of two years. By working closely with the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary, all other Assemblies of God educational institutions of higher learning, and the Department of U.S. Missions, the Director could create a network from which to assimilate teams for the open SCDC DA churches.

Third, I recommend that the District develop a financial plan to ensure the success of the new department. For instance, each DA church could be required to contribute 1 percent of their general fund each month. In return, the DA church would receive mentoring in church growth, which would ultimately increase the DA church’s income. The District DA Church Director could further provide educational information on how to develop a Christ-like giving program for the congregations of DA churches.

Last, I recommend that the DA Church Director develop a monthly celebration for the DA churches that successfully achieve GC church status. This celebratory act would encourage the new GC churches to help other DA churches in their journey. The continuous affirmation of success will encourage other DA churches in the midst of the challenges they face by knowing that success is attainable.

Recommendations for Future Study

The best and most productive days for the Assemblies of God Fellowship may be yet to come. The Church can look forward to the great things that God has in store in the years ahead. As believers and church leaders look to the future, I recommend that they consider five areas for future study.

First, further research could observe the rate of success among diverse groups who use this project. The study could do comparative analysis on its acceptance by ethnicity, age, size, or locale. In so doing, it could determine whether this project is more suited for rural or urban churches, small, medium, or large churches, or for churches with one predominant age group. This information would create a more realistic model of what to expect when beginning the program in a particular type of church.

Second, additional research could focus on determining whether or not the churches would respond more quickly and with better results, if a team of church consultants met with the church. Would the broader exposure of expertise be beneficial to the church? Would the church experience a sense of excitement if a team of church consultants met with the staff, greeters, ushers, and office personnel?

Third, one could do additional research to identify the different phases of a church’s lifecycle with a particular emphasis on determining whether the age of the church makes a difference in its ability to grow. It would be interesting and productive to know if older churches (fifty or more years of existence) respond in the same way as younger churches (less than twenty years of existence).

Fourth, further research could focus on developing a thirteen-week discipleship course that corresponds with this project. The course of study could focus on helping new converts and new attendees become grounded in Christ. The research could identify how a discipleship course, in conjunction with the project, could contribute to the attendance growth of the church.

Fifth, one could do further research on ways to teach biblical financial concepts and correlate these teachings to the overall outcome of the project. The research could then be made available to pastors for use in instructing their congregations each week on the blessings—both corporately and individually—of financial giving.

Conclusion

This project brought me great fulfillment because it provided a means by which I could assist plateaued or declining churches, something I have participated in for the last twenty years. Personally, I believe I benefited more than the churches; seeing growth in each church clearly made all the work worthwhile. Watching a discouraged pastor acquire new levels of excitement as he or she watches the church grow creates a reward like no other.

The project set out to help pastors of plateaued or declining churches experience measureable growth in attendance through the implementation of proper business strategies for accounting and visitor retention. Through the implementation of basic business strategies, such as sending follow-up letters for visitors and installing a phone answering service, each of the four churches experienced growth in attendance. Anyone can replicate the simple concept of this project and expect to reap the benefit of diligently following up with visitors.

The biblical-theological research presented in Chapter 2 laid the foundation for this project by identifying how understanding the concept of imago Dei, community, and God’s perspective on finances dramatically impacts the church’s ability to grow. Chapter 3, the general literature review, provided insight from both the business world and the church to establish best practices that lead to church growth. Ultimately, the project infuses discouraged pastors of smaller churches with hope by presenting practical principles that one can easily implement—whether the church is facing a prolonged plateau or declining—and expect to see growth.

APPENDIX A: invitation letter to pastors

October 26, 2011

Dear Pastor,

I am working on a doctoral project at the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary. The title of my project is “Stimulating Church Growth through Scripturally-Based Business Strategies: Targeting Churches Plateaued or Declining in Attendance.” According to AG Vital Statistics for 2010, about 58% of our churches are declining in attendance or their attendance has plateaued. I believe God has helped me to develop a plan to assist churches in their desire to grow. I believe any church can experience a 3 to 5 percent growth by utilizing these practical ideas.

I am looking for four churches to implement these ideas. The plan is designed to be for a year; however, it will be monitored by me for three months which will include a monthly visit from February through April, 2012. While there is no cost to participate in the Project, I will be looking for churches that can answer “yes” to the questions below.

If you are interested in being part of the Project, I would be delighted to communicate with you. Please give me a call at 760-391-2954 or email me at: [e-mail]. If you do not qualify for the Project, but know someone that may, please feel free to pass this information on to them.

Your friend in ministry,

Richard G. Varnell, D. Min. Candidate

1. 
   The church I pastor has less than 200 people in attendance.
   
2. 
   The church I pastor has either declined or plateaued in attendance for the past three years.
   
3. 
   I have records that show the church’s attendance and financial giving for the past three years.
   

APPENDIX B: pastor and church profile

Date:

Name:

Home Address: _______________________________________________________________

Email:

Cell:

How long have you pastored your current church?

Your educational background: (Circle what applies):

High School

College: 1 2 3 4

BA

MA

Doctorate
What subjects are your degrees in?

How many years have you held a ministerial credential?

Name of Church:

Address of Church:

Church Website

How long has this church been in existence?

Attendance: Last year_______, 2^nd Year_______, 3^rd year_______

Total income: Last year_______, 2nd Year______, 3^rd Year_______

APPENDIX C: church growth business concepts
church growth proposal for churches under 200

The following program is designed for churches with an average attendance of 200 or less in their Sunday morning service. According to AG U.S. Vital Statistics 2010, about 84 percent of churches average under 200—64 percent less than 100 and 36 percent under 50. About 18 percent of churches are plateaued, 42 percent grew by one or more, and 40 percent declined by one or more. Christians who are entrusted by God to administrate His church should use all available resources to do the very best job possible (Luke 16:8). If your church is not growing, this program will generally produce a three to five percent growth annually. Follow this program for one year. Measure the results. Track the last three years of attendance and income. Based on that, project what your next twelve months should be. Implement the following program prayerfully and see the growth that God has intended. This program, when properly implemented, is designed to take one to two hours a week of the pastor’s time.

1. 
   Telephone
   

1. 
   Staff the office, with volunteers if necessary, to answer the phone during normal business hours (8am-5pm M-F)
   
2. 
   Employ a professional answering service to answer your telephone 24-hours a day, 7 days a week when you are not in the office. They will screen your calls and pass on to you the calls that need the most urgent attention. The cost is usually about $100 a month.
   
3. 
   Assure the pastor, or another responsible person, answers the phones, especially from Saturday noon through the end of the morning worship time. This can be done by forwarding the church phone to a cell phone. This is the time when most people call the church for directions or service times for the Sunday morning service. Engage, if possible, the inquirer on the telephone. Introduce yourself; find out their name and something about them. Then ask them to introduce themselves to you when they come to church.
   

2. 
   Finances
   

1. 
   When receiving the offering, publically ensure that it is obvious to all that the funds are being handled by people unrelated to staff, and that the funds are safely guarded.
   
2. 
   Giving is an important part of worship. The importance of giving should generally be emphasized by the pastor.
   

• 
  The funds are used to bring people to Jesus.
  
• 
  Giving is an act of worship and visitors should not be excluded.
  

The pastor can prepare at least a minute or two devotion about giving before the offering is received. There are books that give suggestions for 52 weeks of biblical instruction regarding giving. Restricting giving to a certain group of people or to a particular fund may hinder the Holy Spirit from pouring out His blessings on the entire church. God’s people are always blessed when they generously give to His work. For special projects, let the people see what they are giving to. For example, let the church send the entire youth group to youth camp. Bring the youth up before and after camp. The same can be done for children, missionaries, building fund, etc. There are some people in each service that want to give more than their tithes. They are waiting for the pastor to challenge them.

3. 
   Occasionally, have a testimony (live or video) using someone who has been blessed by giving.
   
4. 
   It is imperative to have proper accounting methods and segregation of duties when managing all the finances of the church.
   
5. 
   Set up your accounting software to recognize first-time contributors. They should receive a welcome from the church along with recognizing any offering they gave. This is also important for second and third time visitors.
   
6. 
   Give a contribution report every three months as opposed to just once a year. This alone may increase the giving to the church by up to six percent.
   
7. 
   Have the previous year’s financial statements publically available. There are great programs that can display the financial reports so that they are easily understood.
   
8. 
   Have monthly financial statements for each board meeting that show current, year-to-date, and at least the previous year’s records for comparison.
   
9. 
   Teach a series using the book The Blessed Life
   

3. 
   Attendance
   

1. 
   Use nametags for everyone. Print nametags ahead of time for regular attendees. Be sure that your “attendance table” is well staffed. Nametags that were left over will usually indicate those who were absent.
   
2. 
   Take attendance each week. There are at least five ways to determine who attended your Sunday morning worship service with almost a hundred percent accuracy rate:
   
   1. 
      Ushers should take a head count of people in the main sanctuary, along with a count of those meeting at the same time in other areas of the church campus.
      
   2. 
      Each week print out an attendance list of attendees for the previous week. Highlight recent visitor’s names so that those at the “attendance table” may be able to greet them by name. As people receive their nametags, check off their names.
      
   3. 
      Before receiving the offering have an attendance book with sign-in sheets at the end of each row and encourage everyone to sign in.
      
   4. 
      Have sign-in sheets for adults and children involved in children’s activities.
      
   5. 
      Use the giving record as another source to determine who attended the worship service.
      
3. 
   I use Excel to track names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, birthdates, anniversaries, and age categories, as well as track attendance each week.
   
4. 
   No later than Monday, prepare a plan on the best way to contact the “regulars” who were absent.
   
5. 
   Also, have a plan to contact first, second, and third-time attendees. You may want to use professionally written letters for this purpose. First, you may send out a letter or email, then a phone call. If you want an 80 percent return rate, take a small gift of bread, cookies, etc. around Friday or Saturday to their home. Spend no more than 30 seconds at their door. If they are not home, leave the gift and a personal note. Also, be sure to have special postcards for children that visit. Children’s teachers should also telephone visitors. On your visitor cards, ask a question about how that person knew about your church. Capitalize on that information.
   

4. 
   Communications
   

1. 
   Have a website for your church and update it weekly.
   
2. 
   Build an email list to communicate quickly with the church family. Use it weekly.
   
3. 
   Around Friday or Saturday once a month, or at least once a quarter, the pastor should telephone each family that regularly attends and take prayer requests. This permits the pastor to stay in contact with each family and often generates information not normally available. The church can use the information to effectively minister to that family.
   

5. 
   Create “Community” each week in the Sunday morning time. Some suggestions:
   
   1. 
      Have coffee and refreshments available before, during, or after the Sunday morning worship time. Some churches take a seven to ten minute “break” after the offering is received and encourage everyone to fellowship. This is also a great time for the pastor and staff to greet visitors as well as regulars.
      
   2. 
      Take time to greet visitors and encourage them to complete the visitor information card. If there are special visitors, introduce them at this time.
      
   3. 
      Once a month provide a meal following the worship service at no cost to those who participate. This could be pizza from Costco or Sam’s, hamburgers and hot dogs, sandwiches, etc.
      
   4. 
      Have enough ushers to seat people who arrive late, and to escort visitors and their children to the children’s place of worship.
      
   5. 
      Have outings every month or two for the seniors.
      
   6. 
      Add one or two positions to your board for people from outside your church to give you that extra set of eyes.
      
   7. 
      Send postcards to people with birthdays or anniversaries approaching; even better, make a personal telephone call to them on the actual date of celebration.
      
   8. 
      At least annually, have a member appreciation event.
      
   9. 
      Some churches follow the “three minute rule”, which means regulars are encouraged to greet visitors following the Sunday morning service for at least three minutes before they visit with friends.
      

APPENDIX d: GETTING TO KNOW YOU ... (A LITTLE BETTER) CARD

APPENDIX E: WELCOME CARD—FRONT AND BACK

BACK

APPENDIX f: SAMPLE “MISSING IN ACTION” (MIA) LETTER

Date

Dear
We missed you!

If there is anything that we can do to be a blessing, please let us know. My personal email is [e-mail] or you can reach me on my cell phone at [phone]. We have many tools at our disposal to help in time of need. My goal, as your pastor, is to be a blessing you.
I pray you are having a blessed week. Please, let me know if there is anything I can do to be of assistance.
Warmly,

Matthew Varnell

Senior Pastor
APPENDIX G: SAMPLE FIRST-TIME GUEST LETTER
(WITH CONTRIBUTION)

Date
First-Time Guest,

Street

City, State Zip

Dear First-Time Guest,
I am thrilled you chose to visit us at Desert MultiChurch this past weekend! It has been my experience over the years, that God often has a specific reason for bringing people to visit our church. Perhaps it was a timely message they needed to hear, or perhaps they were or are at a point of need in their lives. Maybe a family member, friend, or co-worker invited them. Whatever the reason for your visit, I am so glad you came. We are committed to being responsive to any needs that you or your family may have. We are dedicated in all that we do to provide an atmosphere where people can grow closer to God and to each other.
I also want to say that we truly desire to meet your needs and the needs of your family. Please let us know if there is any way we can better serve you.
I also want to thank you for your contribution of $100.
Lastly, I’d like to invite you to join us again this weekend at our 10:00 AM Sunday service. If you have any questions about our church or about the many ministries we offer, please feel free to call the church office. I hope to see you again this weekend!

God Bless You!

Richard Varnell

Senior Pastor

APPENDIX H: SAMPLE FIRST-TIME GUEST LETTER

Date
First-Time Guest,

Street

City, State Zip

Dear First-Time Guest,
I am thrilled you chose to visit us at Desert MultiChurch this past weekend! It has been my experience over the years, that God often has a specific reason for bringing people to visit our church. Perhaps it was a timely message they needed to hear, or perhaps they were or are at a point of need in their lives. Maybe a family member, friend, or co-worker invited them. Whatever the reason for your visit, I am so glad you came. We are committed to being responsive to any needs that you or your family may have. We are dedicated in all that we do to provide an atmosphere where people can grow closer to God and to each other.
I also want to say that we truly desire to meet your needs and the needs of your family. Please let us know if there is any way we can better serve you.
Lastly, I’d like to invite you to join us again this weekend at our 10:00 AM Sunday service. If you have any questions about our church or about the many ministries we offer, please feel free to call the church office. I hope to see you again this weekend!

God Bless You!

Richard Varnell

Senior Pastor

APPENDIX I: SAMPLE SECOND-TIME GUEST LETTER

Date
Second-Time Guest

Street

City, State Zip
Dear Second-Time Guest,
I was delighted that you chose to visit us again at Desert MultiChurch! I hope that this means that you saw something on your first visit that you liked. If you are looking for a church home, I understand that it can be a challenging process, as it is one of the most important decisions you will make for you and your family.
Whatever your circumstances, I am committed to helping you connect with lifelong friends and to find a place where you can spiritually grow and express your gifts and talents. The passion of our church is to see you realize all of God’s purposes for your life and to develop into the full potential of what He has for you.
If I can help in any way, please feel free to give me a call this week.
Thank you again for giving us the opportunity to minister to you and your family. I look forward to seeing you at church this next Sunday.
God bless you,

Matthew Varnell

Senior Pastor

APPENDIX J: SAMPLE THIRD-TIME guest LETTER

Dear Third-Time Guest,
I want to personally thank you for joining us once again at Rock House Community Church. I would like you to feel free to avail yourself and your family to all of the resources we make available to our attendees and Members. I want you to know that as life happens, I or one of our caring staff will always be available for counseling, prayer, hospital visitation, or anything else you might need.
I would like to personally invite you to attend our next Membership 101 class. It’s not just about becoming a member (though we would be honored should you decide to join), but is a tremendous resource describing who we are and what we are about. Our next Membership 101 will be next Sunday, September 11, immediately following the 11 a.m. service. Childcare will be provided as well as lunch, on us! You may sign up by checking the appropriate box on your Welcome Card, by calling our Office or stopping by the Information Center before or after any of our weekend services. I look forward to seeing you there!
If you are new or returning to church attendance, I would like to encourage you to do three things:

1. 
   Buy and read a One Year Bible (available at our store, local Christian Bookstore or Amazon).
   
2. 
   Take 15 minutes every morning to pray before you get going for the day.
   
3. 
   Make a friend from church. Go to a small group, attend a football party, volunteer to usher or help in a children's class. Whatever you enjoy doing, find a way to do it with a new friend from church.
   

Again, thank you for joining us again at Rock House Community Church. I look forward to

being a friend and your pastor for many years to come.

Warmly,

Matthew Varnell

Senior Pastor

APPENDIX k: SAMPLE second-Time guest LETTER

(with contribution)

Date
Second-Time Guest

Street

City, State Zip

Dear Second-Time Guest,
I was delighted that you chose to visit us again at Desert MultiChurch! I hope that this means that you saw something on your first visit that you liked. If you are looking for a church home, I understand that it can be a challenging process, as it is one of the most important decisions you will make for you and your family.
Whatever your circumstances, I am committed to helping you connect with lifelong friends and to find a place where you can spiritually grow and express your gifts and talents. The passion of our church is to see you realize all of God’s purposes for your life and to develop into the full potential of what He has for you.
I also want to thank you for your contribution of $100.

If I can help in any way, please feel free to give me a call this week.

Thank you again for giving us the opportunity to minister to you and your family. I look forward to seeing you at church this next Sunday.
God bless you,

Matthew Varnell

Senior Pastor
APPENDIX L: SAMPLE THIRD-TIME guest LETTER
(with contribution)

Dear Third-Time Guest,

I want to personally thank you for joining us once again at Rock House Community Church. I would like you to feel free to avail yourself and your family to all of the resources we make available to our attendees and Members. I want you to know that as life happens, I or one of our caring staff will always be available for counseling, prayer, hospital visitation, or anything else you might need.
I would like to personally invite you to attend our next Membership 101 class. It's not just about becoming a member (though we would be honored should you decide to join), but is a tremendous resource describing who we are and what we are about. Our next Membership 101 will be next Sunday, September 11, immediately following the 11 a.m. service. Childcare will be provided as well as lunch, on us! You may sign up by checking the appropriate box on your Welcome Card, by calling our Office or stopping by the Information Center before or after any of our weekend services. I look forward to seeing you there!
If you are new or returning to church attendance, I would like to encourage you to do three things:

1. 
   Buy and read a One Year Bible (available at our store, local Christian Bookstore or Amazon).
   
2. 
   Take 15 minutes every morning to pray before you get going for the day.
   
3. 
   Make a friend from church. Go to a small group, attend a football party, volunteer to usher or help in a children's class. Whatever you enjoy doing, find a way to do it with a new friend from church.
   

I also want to thank you for your contribution of $100. Again, thank you for joining us again at Rock House Community Church. I look forward to being a friend and your pastor for many years to come.
Warmly,
Matthew Varnell

Senior Pastor

Rock House Community Church

APPENDIX m: SAMPLE thirty-DAY FOLLOW-UP LETTER

Date

First-Time Guest

Street

City, State Zip

Dear First-Time Guest,

I appreciate you visiting Desert Assembly of God for the first time last month. I hope that you found our church both friendly and able to meet your spiritual needs. I want everyone that attends Desert Assembly of God to have a wonderful worship experience and to find a personal encounter with God.

If you are interested in meeting new people, I want to invite you to a special lunch we are having this next Sunday following our morning worship service. We will be meeting at noon and this would be an opportunity for me to get to meet you personally. I hope that you will be able to attend.

Please have a wonderful week, and I look forward to seeing you in the near future. Please feel free to give me a call if you should have any questions.

May God’s good blessings be with you!

Yours most sincerely,

Richard Varnell

Senior Pastor

P.S. I have enclosed a music CD that I think you will enjoy.

sources consulted