Potentials - Church Growth

There are many dimensions to church growth. It usually means increasing the number of people who participate in the life of the congregation. Like any organization a church needs to pay attention to its membership in order to remain healthy. However, the church is also different. As William Temple put it, the church is the only organization which exists for the sake of people who are not its members. We at Potentials take this paradox seriously and want to help churches grow into more nourishing relationships with people outside the institution. We've done research, written a book and developed a program called Seeking the Seekers which is our unique approach to church growth.

Seeking the Seekers is for people in ordinary churches who care about the future of their church.

They care about congregations. They are prepared to think about the future path of development congregations need to follow in order to be authentic expressions of the Christian Gospel in their given context.

They care about people, whether these people happen to belong to a congregation or not. They are prepared to listen carefully and learn what energy and questions motivate them. They know that people from outside the boundaries of congregations bring spiritual energy that can give new life and direction to congregations.

The fastest growing religious category in Canadian society is the group which claims no religious affiliation. The younger you are the more likely you are to belong to this group. Many of these people have a strong interest in the spiritual dimension to life and the quest for personal meaning. The future of the church in Canada lies in developing creative relationships with this group of adults. Potentials has developed a process for congregations to connect with these people based on focus group interviews. We adopt the stance of listening, learning and serving.

Our context...

The majority of young Canadians believe in God, care about values and meaning in life and are interested in spirituality.
Most Canadians under the age of 55 do not participate in a church and are negative, ambivalent and sometimes curious about organized religion.
Churches are disconnected from people living in their neighbourhoods.

There is a deep need for Canadian congregations to make meaningful connections with young adults.

The outcomes of seeking the seekers...

Making meaningful connections between a congregation and the people living in its neighbourhood.
Becoming a listening church through an innovative process which leads to ...
Understanding the faith and spirituality of people outside the church
Learning about our own values and faith journeys
Rediscovering the servant ministry of the church and the skills, gifts and perspectives which leaders will need to guide the church in the future.
Developing a better understanding of how to respond to the spiritual needs of young adults.

The process of seeking the seekers...

Seeking the seekers is based on innovative focus group interviews with people who do not participate in a church. Visual images are used to create a common framework for discussion. Questions for participants raise issues of meaning, value and spirituality. The focus groups become a powerful source of learning and discovery for both participants and leaders.

Preparation and training

The purpose and goals of the project are defined

Focus group leaders are recruited and trained
Participants for the focus groups are invited

Learning
In a guided process we reflect on and interpret the interviews. New insights emerge about the context for ministry. Assumptions about the nature of faith, belief and religious participation are challenged.

A feedback session is held for all participants and a written report is created.

Integration
The congregational leadership reflects on the implications of the interviews for their future. Their findings lead to new initiatives in ministry and mission.

The process is guided throughout by experienced Potentials' consultants and a congregational steering team.

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