Church Growth Flywheel: 5 Practical Systems to Drive Growth at Your Church

by Rich Birch, Carl F. George (Foreword)

Are you ready to see your church impact more people than you have ever before? Are you tired of church leadership books that are long on theory but short on practical help? Have you wanted to reach more people in your community but you weren't sure where to start? Are you worried that your church isn't reaching its full potential? "Church Growth Flywheel : 5 Practical Systems To Drive Growth at Your Church" is full of helpful insights to help your church reach more people starting today! Bestselling author, Rich Birch, has pulled together his own hard-fought experience leading within one of the fastest growing churches in the country as well as over 200 interviews with church leaders from prevailing churches. What Church Leaders are Saying About Church Growth “Rich is right again. Momentum is hard to catch, easy to lose, and most important. If Flywheel has any importance, it has loads of importance. Don't miss this book!” - Clay Scroggins, Lead Pastor, North Point Community Church “Rich Birch has knocked it out of the park with Church Growth Flywheel. His new book is full of practical helps for church leaders looking to reach more people in their communities. Rich cuts through the theory and offers solid advice and guidance that you can put into action right away." - Dan Reiland, Executive Pastor, 12Stone Church, Lawrenceville, Georgia “Rich Birch has been reading my mind! After reading the first 15 pages, I made this book mandatory reading for my entire staff.” - Hal Seed, Chief Mentor at PastorMentor.com and Founding Pastor of New Song Community Church “What an incredible book! Rich has a unique way of sharing real and relevant practices from his experience and conversations that will no doubt be a game changer for you and your church community. Church Growth Flywheel is a gift to church leaders filled with practical yet challenging steps to help initiate growth and change within your community. And what church leader doesn’t want to see more lives changed by Christ!” - Sonja Waltman, Executive Director of Ministries at LCBC Church “Rich brings a wealth of passion, knowledge and experience to the subject of church growth. He presents a treasure trove of best practices and learnings around engaging people in your city with the message of Christ. Church Growth Flywheel is full practical steps that you can actually start doing and growing in your church, today.” - Carey Nieuwhof, Founding & Teaching Pastor, Connexus Church “I’ve followed Rich Birch for many years as he has had a front row seat to some of the fastest-growing churches in North America. That’s why I got excited when I heard he was releasing a book with some of what he has learned. You will be energized, informed, inspired, and equipped after reading Church Growth Flywheel." - Tim Stevens, Vice President of Consulting, Vanderbloemen Search Group “Insanely practical... super simple... and absolutely essential! Rich Birch has captured the disciplines and behaviors that will allow your church to experience growth that enables you to thrive.

Genres: Leadership, Church

140 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 26, 2018

Reviews

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book to be the most practically helpful of the church communication books I have read recently, even mostly applicable to a smaller, liturgical church. We're not going to be changing from the lectionary to sermon series anytime soon, but there may be ways to adapt to be more topical or to highlight the themes of the week. I like the ideas about social media, "big days," and community outreach quite a bit.

[Bryan Reeder · Rating 3 out of 5]

I felt like I was reading a combination of books from Nelson Searcey. Some good insights and good reminders but I wouldn't say there was anything new presented about church growth. Birch does a good job of explaining the systematic process to church growth but I believe there is more to growing a church. What you do on Sunday with preaching, worship, and kid's ministry are just as important.

[Brandon Kelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a highly practical book on something I geek out a bit on - systems. As always, Rich provides helpful, actionable direction for church leaders.

I would have given it 5 stars if the editing was done better. Normally, I don’t nitpick these things, but there were some chapters that simply needed a run through to pick up on some unneeded definite articles (“the”).

[Demetrius Rogers]

This was great. Clear, concise, very helpful!

[Josh Crain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal Practical Advice

I’ve read a lot of books on church growth, but Church Growth Flywheel is a standout. Rich Birch offers more actionable content per page than many books offer per chapter.

This book will be most helpful for you if you’ve already committed to culturally relevant preaching/teaching and excellence in your worship programming. It won’t make a bad church a good church. It will, however, help good churches who are struggling to get the word out, draw new guests, and assimilate people well have a whole host of new ideas that they can implement quickly.

Purchase this book if you’re committed to working hard to see steady growth over time. Highly recommended.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

While Birch's approach to church is quite different from my own, I learned a handful of things in "Church Growth Flywheel" that I think will be worthwhile. Birch's focus here is on making the front door of your church as wide and inviting as possible and moving the church body to evangelism.

Birch's "Church Growth Flywheel" isn't helpful in considering a biblical or theological framework for evangelism or ecclesiology, but it is useful in considering some practical ways to mobilize your people and effectively connect with those who step inside your church for the first time.

In short, while Birch and I might have very different understandings of what the church ought to be, I learned from Birch's front door strategy.

[Skyler · Rating 3 out of 5]

1. Jim Collins’ publisher should probably sue Birch for ripping off his flywheel concept in such a huge way and not crediting him.

2. This book has the most distasteful and pathetic introduction I’ve ever read in any ministry leadership book, ever.

3. There is either a typo, poor grammar, or poor writing, on nearly every page of this book.

4. Still, some really great practical takeaways to implement. Super quick read.

[Slade Hogan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fine book. Definitely geared more toward large churches that desire to become megachurches. But his ideas could be scaled down and applied piecemeal over time even at a small church.

The bigger issue: this book appears to have been published almost completely unedited. It was distracting to see a plethora of grammatical and typographical errors throughout the book. I hope he employed an editor in subsequent publications.

[Mike Amos · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book to give you ideas to create momentum in your church especially if you feel like there is little or no momentum. I helped me see the things that we were doing well and improve on those things. It also showed me some things that we weren't doing and motivated me to work in those areas. It is an easy read. Rich keeps it light with his funny footnotes.

[David W Sanders · Rating 5 out of 5]

On point

In a concise manner, Rich has identified where to focus your energies in order to reach all the people you can. Rookie pastor or veteran church leader, this book will help you devote your time, efforts, and funds into the most important practices for building a prevailing church. Thank you for this gift, Rich!

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very good practical book to help churches grow. Simply put, the churches that grow are the ones that have their people inviting their friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers. As leaders, our job is to make that as easy as possible for them. This book is filled with ways to do that.

[Gregory W Woolf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Practical Ideas

This book is packed with many ideas that any size church can implement right away. I believe you can begin putting these ideas into practice. I can’t wait to get started.

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Practical Tips Included Inside

This book is not simply a theory. It is a practical guide with tips & questions to help you find what works in your community with your faith community to fulfill God’s mission for you.

[Chad Stutzman · Rating 5 out of 5]

If your involved in leading a church, take the time to read this book. The mission of growing a church and reaching people for Jesus is so important. This is a practical, well written book with lots of real examples of how to implement great systems that really can make a difference.

[Jeremy Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful easy read

Informative, humorous, helpful and timely. I really appreciate his insight into church growth. If you are a pastor, do yourself a favor and read this then implement them in your church.

[Charles E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great and practical book

Amazing! Really hit home with what we are trying to accomplish as a church. Highly recommend this to all leaders

[Joel Stockstill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful

Great read and some great insights. Highly recommend for all leaders looking to grow. Very practical and easy to implement.

[Josh Tandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Incredibly practical and helpful

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was disappointed that the book ended with an ad for the author's services.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book with practical steps that might aid in seeing growth in a church.

[Melody · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read for staff.

[Juliet Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

Awesome

Clear and Concise. This book was a prayer answered. A must read if you're looking to help your Church grow.