STRETCHING TO 200 IN NEW CHURCH ATTENDANCE

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STRETCHING TO 200 IN NEW CHURCH ATTENDANCE

• By
• Dr. Tom Cheyney

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Once a church reaches or climbs over the 200
barrier, they will have more in common with other
churches of their own size, than their
denomination affiliation, church traditions,
location, age, or any other isolatable factor.
"Beyond 200" Church Growth Seminar, St. Louis,
Missouri, Fuller Evangelistic Association.
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Lyle E. Schaller also makes the same observation
as he points to the new peer group these churches
and pastors will have. This new peer group
consists of other pastor's and churches that have
had to face the cruel question, "Are we going to
remain the same or are we going to adjust our
leadership style so that we can still reach
others?"
Schaller, Activating the Passive Church
Diagnosis and Treatment, Nashville, Abingdon,
pp. 25-26.
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In the United States the Nine Mainline Protestant
Denominations Report that 85 Percent have an
attendance on Sunday Morning of 200 or less!

George, "Beyond 200".
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Five Chief Institutional Factors Keeping a Church
Under 200

• Desire to preserve social intimacy
• Desire to maintain control
• Desire to conserve memories
• Desire to protect turf
• Desire to remain comfortable

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Small-church members unconsciously feel that they
cannot absorb new members without changing the
fabric of the group. Most members cannot make a
radical change in the size of the church without
loosing their motivation for belonging! Carl
Dudley
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Fifteen Distinctive Growth Methods that make up
Effective Methodologies
PREACHING AND REVIVALS SUNDAY
SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION MINISTRY
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Sixteen Distinctive Growth Methods that make up
Effective Methodologies

INTENTIONAL POSITIONING MUSIC CENTER PULPIT
TEACHING AND ORATORY SKILLS
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Sixteen Distinctive Growth Methods that make up
Effective Methodologies

MIRACLE MINISTRY CAPTURE-BY-COMMITTEE
INVOLVEMENT DAY SCHOOLS
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Sixteen Distinctive Growth Methods that make up
Effective Methodologies

NEXT DOOR TO THE RIGHT INSTITUTION SYNDROME HIGH
VISIBILITY HIGH PROFILE GUESTS APPEALING,
MIXED-MEDIA SEEKER SERVICES
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Sixteen Distinctive Growth Methods that make up
Effective Methodologies

MULTIPLE STAFF IMMIGRATION AND
COLONIZATION SUBCONGREGATION OF ADULTS
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UNDERSTANDING STAKEHOLDER SYMMETRY
Three Groups 1. 2. 3.
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UNDERSTANDING STAKEHOLDER SYMMETRY
INSIDERS OUTSIDERS INVISIBLE
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STAKEHOLDER SYMMETRY
JUNIOR NEWBERRIES JUNIOR FORMER BERRIES
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STAKEHOLDER SYMMETRY
SENIOR NEWBERRIES SENIOR FORMER BERRIES
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FIVE COMMON DENOMINATORS OF LAITY IN 200
PARTICIPANT CHURCHES 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
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THE 200 BARRIER EXPLODED
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SIX INTENTIONAL ACTIONS TO BREAK THE 200 BARRIER
IN A NEW CHURCH PLANT
THE 200 BARRIER EXPLODED
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SIX INTENTIONAL ACTIONS

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Three Specific Actions for the Pastor

• Move from Provider to Equipper! Just cant
  meet every need personally! Must
  train others! Become willing to trust
  others with the ministry!

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Three Specific Actions for the Pastor

• Move from Entertainer to Mobilizer!
  Allow others to discover their gifts
  spiritually! Learn to say no to good
  things in order to do best things! G
  ive away the ministry as others are trained to
  do them!

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Three Specific Actions for the Pastor

• Move from Soloists to Multiplier! Start
  seeing the bigger picture! Set goals
  and work toward them based on the
  vision! Work yourself out of as many
  jobs as possible!

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Three Marks of a Pastor Who Can Grow a Church

• Obedience to the Father.
• Pragmatism towards the work.
• Optimism towards the future.

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STRETCHING TO 200 IN NEW CHURCH ATTENDANCE
Why Break The 200 Barrier?
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The Lord demands it Mt. 2818-20.
Why Break The 200 Barrier?
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The Bible teaches it Acts 241-47.
Why Break The 200 Barrier?
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The Lost depend on it Romans 1014.
Why Break The 200 Barrier?
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Recognizable Trends of Churches That Break the
200 Participant Barrier

• Theologically Conservative
• Holds Scripture Highly
• Reaching others a paramount priority
• Strong Pastoral Leadership
• Belief that God is doing something unique here
• Church displays radical obedience to Jesus!

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Recognizable Trends of Churches That Break the
200 Participant Barrier

• Offers Exciting Celebrations of Worship!
• Worship is participatory
• Laity is used not watching
• Prayer is Paramount
• Pastor models deeper prayer life!
• Prayer is an action not activity!
• The Holy Spirit is felt and display the importance

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Recognizable Trends of Churches That Break the
200 Participant Barrier

• Giving in all forms is expected!
• Tithing is not an option but a biblical mandate.
• Biblical Tithing is taught regularly.
• The laity respond to this cheerfully.

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Recognizable Trends of Churches That Break the
200 Participant Barrier

• Laity are challenged to serve.
• Gift development is the norm.
• Members serve through their gifts.
• Preaching is expository, practical, and
  applicatative.
• The participate in Missions consistently.

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STRETCHING TO 200 IN NEW CHURCH ATTENDANCE