Thoughts on Incrementalism and Growth Engines

During McLean Bible Church’s period of fast growth in the 90's, we saw both incrementalism and growth engines as essential to growth.

Jim Collins said that the difference between the top companies and the second rated companies is that the top companies did it a little better. John Maxwell encouraged incremental improvements and we continually looked for ways to do it better.

But to achieve the great growth we went past "incrementalism" and "doublementalism" (thinking bigger) to growth engines. We saw over time 7 growth engines - new ministries initiatives that opened new doors of ministry impact and propelled us to the next level. In reality we didn't understand them as growth engines till we were at number 5. As John Maxwell said, "It's amazing what you can accomplish when you have momentum on your side."

Actually we never set growth goals. We never discussed numbers in staff meetings. We just kept the vision before the people, focused ministry around reaching and assimilating new people, hired entrepreneurs, empowered people to accomplish their dream, and created an atmosphere that allowed it to flourish. And as the saying goes, "Leaving the results up to God."

Ambassadors can make a difference at your church

Often when I visit churches I stand around and see if anyone reaches out to me. I can learn a lot about their friendliness to guests. Rarely do I have someone talk to me. Which is sad. Yes, I do brush my teeth. But Sunday was different. I visited Community Church north of Baltimore. A man named Rick Szalecki saw me and came over to say Hi. We talked awhile and then he invited me to sit with him.

I've often encouraged churches to develop a team that one church calls Ambassadors. Ambassadors are floating greeters. They are highly relational people that walk around and look for people who need someone to talk to them. They may often be the only personal contact a new person has at the church and be the difference in whether they choose to come back. They can also multiply their efforts by then introducing the new person to another member who they know would make the new person comfortable.

Job Description: Watch, Meet, Assist, Introduce

Newcomers are the life blood of a church

There are two competing values for any church - building community among the attendees and reaching and assimilating new people. Both are necessary. But as a church grows, often the cry of the attendees overshadows the silent whisper of the new people.

We all do some things to welcome new people. Today I want to mention 4 ideas from one church I worked with that are value added.

1. After every service they have a 10 minute Newcomers Reception.
This is in a room set up like a nice Living Room right off off the lobby. There
are light refreshments, a 5 minute greeting and vision cast by the senior pastor,
a 5 minute "these are your next steps" by the Pastor to New People, and an
opportunity to ask questions. Several staff and volunteers are there to talk with
people afterwards. They only present 3 things on next steps: connecting through a
small group, growing through Christianity 101, etc. series, and serving
through a ministry team. Keeping it simple is a key. They have a collage of pictures on 3 walls
representing those 3 areas. The Newcomer Reception is part of the announcements
every week.

Now what about a small or new church? Same idea but on a smaller scale. Ask new people to meet "Tom and Sue" under the banner in the lobby titled "New to ____ Church" where "Tom/Sue" will answer your questions and give you a free gift.

2. After every service they also have a 10 minute Connect Meeting. This
is in another room set up comfortably close to the lobby. Here people hear a 8
minute talk and testimony on small groups, have opportunities to ask questions,
and fill out an application to be in a small group. At least one staff and a
number of volunteers are there to help. The Connect Room gathering is part of the
announcements every week. The best approach to get into a small group is someone
invites you. Second is a gathering like this where there is a personal connection
with someone.

OK, now what about a small or new church? Same idea in the lobby with a banner, but maybe not as frequent.

3. You notice they have a Pastor of New People Ministries. Every
staff person is a "pastor of new people" but this staff person focuses on meeting
and connecting. A small or new church can have a volunteer team do this.

4. In your church you have some people who are great people people
for welcoming and helping, but they are not disciplined and consistent enough to
be a greeter team member or leader. Great! Don't fire them. Call them
Ambassadors. Ambassadors roam the lobby looking for people who look like they
need someone to talk to them. Aim for 2-4 Ambassadors roaming the lobby. If an
Ambassador does not show up some Sunday, no sweat. Several others will.

The life blood of a church is new people. Prioritize them. Keep what you tell them SIMPLE. Don't overwhelm them.