One of the most successful churches is, of course, Dr. Rick Warren and his Saddleback church in southern California. His book, The Purpose Driven Church is a milestone on the subject. Consider also Holy Trinity, Brompton, in London, which has spawned a number of churches and, closer to home, the Rev. John Yates and Falls Church, Virginia, which has spawned a number of churches and continues to grow despite a lawsuit from the diocese wanting what they believe is their property back. That has not stopped them from growing.

These are the exceptions not the rule.

Recently, I spoke to an Episcopal rector in the Diocese of San Diego who told me, sadly, that he lived barely a mile from his bishop but not once in nine years has the bishop called him up. (They only meet at diocesan conventions.)

So I would like to offer you my two cents worth based on more than 40 years of watching pastors blow it.

All churches have two sets of figures. The first are those on the rolls and then there is Average Sunday Attendance.

If a church claims 300 - 500 on the books, usually about 150 attend regularly. So long as there is enough money coming in via plate and pledge, the average pastor will do little or nothing about those who do not attend.

This is a serious error, spiritually, and indicates a high degree of laziness by the pastor. In time, he will lose followers, or the people following him will not work with him. Churches do not stand still. They either move towards life and growth or towards entropy and death. Changing demographics, aging congregations, lack of evangelistic zeal all work against the incumbent unless he/she changes his/her attitude and ways.

Some churches can grow simply by force of the personality of the preacher - i.e. John Stott, Rick Warren et al. They are the lucky few. (Note: They grew their churches through years of sound biblical teaching, not through the latest church growth fad.) For most pastors, it is the hard grind of keeping the few coming each week and faithfully ministering the word. Some churches grow because they are in a great location and, short of the pastor committing open adultery, they will grow regardless. (Roman Catholic parishes that have died in Philadelphia, for example, now have large spanking new churches in the burbs that filled up immediately as the population moved.) Evangelicals have to work harder but many have been very successful. Most mega churches are located in fairly wealthy middle class, high denisty locations.

So I would like to offer a few suggestions for churches that are stumbling along that can and should do better, but are not growing for one reason or another.

First of all, haul out the church list and start praying for every past and present member, whether you know if they are alive or dead. (God can discount the dead ones. You don't have to.)

Then sit down and write a letter to each family in the church directory (whether they come any more or not). If you have their e-mail addresses, so much the better.

Here is what the letter or e-mail should say.

1. First a mea culpa. Admit you have been slothful for failing to stay in touch and reaching out. Repent. A Sunday morning handshake, a cup of coffee and a pat on the back is not good enough.
2. Ask them what they like or don't like about the church?
3. If they have not visited the church in a while, ask them why?
4. Tell them you are wide open to criticism.
5. Tell them you would be willing to visit them to hear their complaints.
6. Make no excuses.
7. Offer to pray with them.
8. Ask them what you can pray specifically for.
9. Tell them you will visit someone in hospital or prison if they request it.
10. Don't ask for money. Don't even talk about stewardship.
11. Remember you have failed them; they have not failed you.
12. Say you would be willing to meet with them for coffee or lunch.
13. Listen.

After you have exhausted all those on the church list (this could take several months) who have not come to church in years and you have learned why, sit down and write up all their complaints. You might see some recurring themes and patterns. You might discover that people are hostile to the church but friendly to Jesus Christ. You might learn that no one visited their son or daughter or father as he lay dying in hospital, but still the church kept sending envelopes and requests for money. You may find that what they thought they should be hearing from the pulpit about God had more to do with the latest findings in science, global warming, feeding the poor etc., but they heard very little about God's plan for THEIR lives. You will learn a lot more, mostly about your failure as a priest and pastor. Suck it up. Most of it will be your failure and neglect. Then pray and repent.

Then sit down and write to all those who seemed open to you and favorable to another visit. Don't ask them to come to church yet. They may be hurt and burned out about "church." You are simply there to learn and listen. Thank them for at least giving you a hearing. Again apologize for neglecting your responsibilities. Ask if you may have a follow up visit.

Many will be open to a second visit. Do it, again, no excuses. Ask if you can bring someone along with you in the church that specializes in helping your particular situation....counseling needs...addictions etc. Perhaps these people will get the idea that perhaps the clergy really cares about them after all.

Wait a month. If a handful starts to show up at church, welcome them and start discipling and nurturing them. Hook them up immediately with someone in the church to care for them pastorally if you are overwhelmed but make sure you still stay in touch with them. Suggest joining a small group of people who will nurture them.

Promote ALPHA in the neighborhood, if you suspect that they have not come into a living relationship with Jesus Christ. Still don't talk about money. They are on guard and suspicious. They will give when they are good and ready. Not before.

This could take several months. Don't despair. This is God's business you are doing. There are no short cuts or sudden Damascus Road experiences for most people. Most of it will be a slow hard grind.

Assuming you have done all this, here is Part II for church growth.

Obtain zip code(s) of all households in your immediate neighborhood. It doesn't matter whether it is 500 or 5000. Get them. Assume nothing. Everyone needs to hear the gospel even those households that show a disdain for Christianity. Many will be going to another church, you won't necessarily know that. Remember people flit around and they will go where they are fed. Why do you think John Stott's ministry was so successful? It wasn't about the music, liturgy or focus on the Eucharist...it was the long hard slog of explaining and interpreting Scripture to people and helping folk to make real and permanent changes in their lives and to focus on what God is saying and doing and what He demands of us. That is no easy task.

Then do the following.

Prepare a package of materials.

It should include a DVD of a sermon you have preached that you think is one of your best. Add some music you like to it. Include a prepaid return invitation in it so a person can toss something in the mail if they want to hear from you. If the cost of this is seemingly prohibitive, then do something really radical...forgo your salary for a week and spend the money on printing and postage. If what I say is true it will be repaid in saved souls and more income in the long run. Think of it as being unemployed for a week. No big deal really, you can now join millions of Americans without jobs many of whom haven't taken a pay check in two years.

Include a letter saying you hope they will listen to what you have to say. Invite them for a coffee just to talk. Ask them if you can drop by for coffee to listen to their concerns. Remember, it's about them not you. Your ego may take a bruising but so what. Jesus gave up his life on a cross and no one is crucifying you in American suburbia.

Say you will follow up with a phone call, if they add their phone number to the card. Say you will visit them in the hospital (it doesn't have to be a 911 situation), tell them (repeatedly) that you are open to their concerns and give them a direct line to call you. You don't have the luxury of a secretary or "press one for more options". They want you, not an answering machine. Give them your cell number and count yourself lucky if they call you at 2am telling you that their son was drunk walking across a road and got hit by a bus and would you come to the hospital. That's a privilege not an obligation.

If none of this works, consider another line of work as you are a dud and should not be in the ministry. Resign immediately and run down to Home Depot or Wal-Mart and offer your services, they MIGHT just find work for you. After all, if you have no skills for the ministry (putting yourself out for others) and no ability to announce the Good News about Jesus and preach the word, then pointing someone to where they can find nails, screws or waste paper baskets is a no brainer. You could be successful. Maybe.

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