Eight Virtues of Rapidly Growing Churches

by Matt Miofsky, Jason Byassee, Jacob Armstrong (Foreword)

Leaders who are interested in planting or revitalizing congregations often feel discouraged and defeated after leadership conferences, or after reading about the ‘heroes’ of church planting and church growth. “They are amazing,” they say. “I can’t be that amazing.”

But Jesus’ load is easy and his burden is light. When we examine the practices and characteristics of those ‘heroes’, we see striking trends and commonalities. Aspiring church leaders can learn the practices and develop the characteristics that will lead to successful churches. Instead of feeling defeated, new leaders should have a hope-filled sense of what new thing they can do.

Authors Matt Miofsky and Jason Byasse carefully researched, interviewed, and profiled successful church-growers across the U.S., and identified 8 characteristics these leaders and their congregations have in common. These pastors are still learning, still figuring out how to do this work and how to faithfully live into God’s call. But for now, how are they doing what they do? What mistakes have they made & learned from? Where have they paid the stupid tax that others should avoid? Each of these ‘heroes’ is painfully ordinary and up front about their flaws. And each can see slightly farther than the rest of us. What do they see that we can learn from?

Discover the 8 characteristics, and learn how to adapt them for your own congregation and

Believe in miracles and act accordingly
Integrate new people quickly
Love the local
Exist to reach the next person
Elevate the practice of giving
Work in teams
Preach effectively to skeptics
Make friends with the denomination

Genres: Leadership, Church

110 pages, Paperback

Published October 16, 2018

Reviews

[Josh Linman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great look into the commonalities among rapidly growing Methodist churches (and applicable to all denominations and non-denominational churches). Instead of focusing on the negative (like Autopsy of a deceased church) this book helped push into the fundamentals...spoiler...it’s all about mindset shifts - not programming changes (though those may result). From scarcity to abundance...from silos to partnerships...from self to others focused. Quick and vital read!

[Rob O'Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This little book offers 8 common "virtues" of rapidly-growing congregations. While the book is crammed full of examples (all of which are encouraging), the research that went into the book is anecdotal at best.

Unlike similar research conducted by the likes of Thom Rainer, this research is both limited in scope (a small grouping of congregations within the same denomination) and method (looks like all research was conducted through personal interviews). Additionally, there a concern arises in the book's conclusion as there is mention of consistent evaluation, a hold-over concept from the church growth movement.

Concerns aside, this book steers clear of offering "silver bullets" for growth, offering instead more common-sense ideas that can be seen in many other congregations. The sleek 110-page format makes this a great read for a church board, launch team or solo minister who is looking to (re)ignite a congregation.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book. Miofsky and Byassee highlight virtues that many church revitalization books ignore. Their work is deeply American Methodist, but applicable to other denominational contexts. Worth the read just for the quote that adequate sermon preparation saves the congregation from offering "ill formed thought sludge"!!

[Jarrod Johnston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great content, but a bit rushed in production. Thought provoking material from some key leaders in new churches.

[Daniel Wray · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't typically like church growth books, but within that category this is a good one.