There are only six Churches that cannot really grow.

Church in an old town – youths have moved away
Church in a deserted place - no people to come
Church in a college town - when school closes
Church in an army base - when barrack moves
Church like ministry of Jeremiah - don't expect growth, just be faithful.
Church that cherish its smallness and decide against growth

Aside from these six Churches, every other Church can grow and should grow. God has imbued every Church with resurrection power that can bring growth and transformation to people's lives. Every local Church has a place in the divine plan of God to cause a change and revolution.

PASTORAL BARRIERS TO GROWTH
Churches rise and fall on the barrier that the pastor creates. What the pastor believes in or not will determine the growth level of the Church. The pastor determines the working of God in the Church.

Here are specific barriers to growth created by pastors.

1. Tradition - The desire to maintain Church tradition
2. Custom - Bringing customary ideas to Church leadership
3. Prejudice - Prejudice against growth and change will mar
4. Doctrinal bigotry - Holding on to imbalanced doctrines
5. Ceremony - The desire to just celebrate events
6. Averse to change - Refusal to change old methods
7. Non - growth consciousness - taking decisions that are not growth friendly
8. Providence - The believe that growth rest in the hand of God alone
9. Refusal to learn - Ignorance about new tools and ways of leading Church today.

Pastor must understand that revival is a sovereign move of God, while evangelism is the duty or responsibility of the Church. But Church growth is a strategy that you must learn over and over again. It is like eating an elephant.

Church GROWTH BY THE PASTOR
Church growth must begin with the pastor. No Church can out grow the pastor. Here are specific steps.

1. Personal Growth -I Pet. 3: 18; II Pet. 1:5-11
There can be no Church growth if the pastor fails to embark on the journey of personal development. The day you stop growing, your Church equally stop growing. Lack of personal growth will show in pettiness, narrow mindedness, inferiority complex, afraid to offend and carnal attitudes. Personal growth must come in these areas:

Spiritual maturity
Emotional maturity
Mental maturity
Social maturity
Communication maturity.

Personal growth is the key to ministry growth. Growth does not start outside of you but inside. To grow others, you must grow first.

2. Take a Course in Church Growth.
Bible college or seminary training has little or nothing to offer in real Church growth study. Bringing growth to your Church means you must unlearn some 'things and learn new things. You will have to attend quality conferences, buy books, listen to tapes and take a practical course in Church Growth. International Institute of Church Growth offers you this researched course and resources.

3. Believe in Theology of Growth ­ John4:35; Pro. 10:5
Even if you take a course in Church growth and yet you don't believe in the theology of growth, you will not see true growth. Theology of growth is the believe that growth is the only sign of life in the Church. So everything will be done with growth in view. Whatever does not contribute to growth must be scrapped. Theology of growth is that of the harvest.

4. Analyse your Church
You must analyse your Church. Ask relevant questions such as: how many were converted in the past year? What is our growth rate? How many came from other Churches? What growth do we have: conversion, biological or transfer growth? How many were assimilated? Are the people becoming disciples or nominal Christians? What is the strength and weakness of this Church? What percentage of our programmes are maintenance rather than evangelism oriented? At our growth rate, compared to our birth rate, where will the Church be in 10 years time?

5. Pray and Plan for Growth.
Set up prayers for growth. Share the vision of growth. Create time for intercession for growth. Plan and set goals for growth.

6. Initiate Change
Pinpoint the areas that need change. Communicate change to your leaders. Gain the authority to lead. Gradual change is the key. Change leads to growth. Without change, growth will be difficult.

7. Communicate Growth
Take stock of where the Church is coming from. How much is being spent on evangelism and mission. Be abreast with these facts and then communicate wisely, consistently and continuously to your people. In your communication, demand for commitment to God, to the Church and to outreach.