Increasing Church Growth and Income 2 x 2

David Hayward pastor of a Vineyard Church in Rothesay, New Brunswick, Canada insists, you can’t embrace the reality of the cross and pursue the security of success at the same time. He also said that he could increase the attendance at his church as well as the giving. He came up with a rather cynical list of 10 things you could do to achieve better attendance and giving:

1. Don’t allow people to participate in the worship band or any other prominent, visible ministry who don’t have excellent attendance and who don’t tithe.
2. Befriend the good, consistent supporters and avoid those who aren’t these things. Everyone wants to be in the inner circle.
3. Reward those who give with frequent public recognition and praise.
4. Teach that giving to the church is what gets God acting on our behalf.
5. Always concoct the impression that something great is just about to happen so that the level of anticipation keeps people coming, expecting the special event to happen at anytime. Keep the excitement level high and eliminate the darker realities of human emotions from the service.
6. Sow the idea that going to church whenever it is open is the same as being the church.
7. Never be afraid to use fear or guilt as a motivator for beneficial results. You must realize that these are the greatest causes for seeing almost immediately the effects you want.
8. Blame sin for the reason why people don’t advance in the church. This creates the idea that perfection is what produces promotion.
9. Use incentives such as fund-raisers, pledge campaigns, bake-sales, auctions… anything that will fondle money out of people who normally wouldn’t let go of it so easily.
10. Brand and market yourself and your church as wealthy, successful and positive, then play the part yourself. This will create the ethos of prosperity and success that attracts money.

Maybe you have some suggestions of your own?