Dynamics of Church Growth

God has created the wonder of DNA to facilitate great variety among His children.  We are all wondrously different.  Some people have great faith and accept things at face value.  Others require an in-depth explanation.  They are driven by the need to know.  I am one of the latter.  As a child I was given an old cast iron sewing machine.  The mechanism fascinated me.  I just had to know what was going on inside.  Unable to properly disassemble it, I took a hammer and cracked it open!  My life long pursuit of understanding God lead to my theology book, “Understanding Why: The purpose of creation.”  

While itinerating as an Assemblies of God missionary I preached at about 200 churches across America.  Some were large, most were small.  Why had some experienced consistent growth and others stagnated?  This question kept rattling around in the back of my mind.  It was like the old cast iron sewing machine.  I just had to know why. 

 This book represents my thoughts on the subject.  There are some universal rules that seem to apply about 90% of the time.  Are there exceptions?  Of course.  That being said, I hope and trust that this book will give the local pastor and church leader some insight into developing and growing their ministry.

Robb Hawks

Described by his friends as a Renaissance man, Robb is a prolific writer and adventurer. He has traveled as an evangelist, worked as a missionary in Belgium, and now serves as the executive pastor of a church of over 4000 people.

Robb is a patented inventor, a scuba diving professional Divemaster, a USCG Licensed boat Captain, and a sports car enthusiast. 

Download a freed .pdf of the "What Shape Peg am I?" handout that is covered in one chapter of Dynamics of Church Growth.

God gave Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Teachers and Pastors.  But who are these people?  It could be read that God gave Entrepreneurs, Quality Control, Salesmen, Trainers, and Branch Managers.  Which one are you?  This quick 20 question test is remarkably revealing.

This simple test when used in conjunction with the principles taught in Dynamics will help you develop successful ministries within your church.

Universal Rule of Church Growth #1
The potential for church growth will increase with the addition of
each component of the Five-Fold Ministries of the Church.

Universal Rule of Church Growth #2
It is easier to walk away from a church than it is to walk away from friends.

Universal Rule of Church Growth #3
God endues power and grants the authority to use it.  
The recipient must assume responsibility for the power and authority.

Universal Rule of Church Growth #4
A church will only grow as big as its vision.

Universal Rule of Church Growth #5
A church will continue to grow until it maxes out the
quality of its weakest primary ministry.

Universal Rule of Church Growth #6
A ministry/church will continue to grow until it maxes out
one of the primary skills of its pastor/leader.

Universal Rule of Church Growth #7
A pastor’s primary skills will be adversely affected by
weak spirituality or weak core values.

Universal Rule of Church Growth #8
When the hassles of attending a church exceed the perceived benefit derived
from attending the church, the parishioner will make a change.

Universal Rule of Church Growth #9
People do not race to join/rescue a sinking ship. 
But everyone wants to be on a winning team.

Universal Rule of Church Growth #10
People give to, and follow passion.