Why Most 800 Person Churches Die of Niceness

Why most 800 person churches die of Why most 800 person churches die of niceness. Hey, it's Rich Burch here from niceness. Hey, it's Rich Burch here from niceness. Hey, it's Rich Burch here from the Unseminary Podcast here with a solo the Unseminary Podcast here with a solo the Unseminary Podcast here with a solo episode for you today talking about episode for you today talking about episode for you today talking about mid-tier, midsize churches. There's an mid-tier, midsize churches. There's an mid-tier, midsize churches. There's an interesting sticking point between 500 interesting sticking point between 500 interesting sticking point between 500 and a thousand where a lot of churches and a thousand where a lot of churches and a thousand where a lot of churches get stuck. And I want to unpack that get stuck. And I want to unpack that get stuck. And I want to unpack that today and particularly help you whether today and particularly help you whether today and particularly help you whether you're a church approaching that or you're a church approaching that or you're a church approaching that or you're uh at that current sticking you're uh at that current sticking you're uh at that current sticking point. This podcast will help you unpack point. This podcast will help you unpack point. This podcast will help you unpack a few things that you should be doing to a few things that you should be doing to a few things that you should be doing to overcome that hurdle. NICE is not a overcome that hurdle. NICE is not a overcome that hurdle. NICE is not a growth strategy. When I was a young growth strategy. When I was a young growth strategy. When I was a young adult, I worked at a summer Christian adult, I worked at a summer Christian adult, I worked at a summer Christian camp called Camp Mini. You know, you can camp called Camp Mini. You know, you can camp called Camp Mini. You know, you can picture this camp even though you've picture this camp even though you've picture this camp even though you've never been there. You know, it's never been there. You know, it's never been there. You know, it's canoeing on a lake. It's campfires canoeing on a lake. It's campfires canoeing on a lake. It's campfires around with s'mores at night. It's around with s'mores at night. It's around with s'mores at night. It's singing songs with kids. It's fantastic singing songs with kids. It's fantastic singing songs with kids. It's fantastic and great experience actually was the and great experience actually was the and great experience actually was the first place that really trusted me with first place that really trusted me with first place that really trusted me with leadership. I owe a lot of my leadership leadership. I owe a lot of my leadership leadership. I owe a lot of my leadership chops to working at Camp Minowi. And in chops to working at Camp Minowi. And in chops to working at Camp Minowi. And in fact, when I first was leading as a fact, when I first was leading as a fact, when I first was leading as a cabin leader, each of the cabins has six cabin leader, each of the cabins has six cabin leader, each of the cabins has six kids and six is like a great number kids and six is like a great number kids and six is like a great number because you could sit six kids around because you could sit six kids around because you could sit six kids around the table that we would eat at and in the table that we would eat at and in the table that we would eat at and in the dining hall. I'd be at one end and the dining hall. I'd be at one end and the dining hall. I'd be at one end and the other people would be around the the other people would be around the the other people would be around the table and and you know you could reach table and and you know you could reach table and and you know you could reach everybody, help everybody, poke everybody, help everybody, poke everybody, help everybody, poke somebody, askbody somebody a question, somebody, askbody somebody a question, somebody, askbody somebody a question, that sort of thing. It was a perfect that sort of thing. It was a perfect that sort of thing. It was a perfect size. But then what happened is I size. But then what happened is I size. But then what happened is I graduated to an older group and the graduated to an older group and the graduated to an older group and the group size went from 6 to 10. And it was group size went from 6 to 10. And it was group size went from 6 to 10. And it was like I needed to learn a brand new like I needed to learn a brand new like I needed to learn a brand new leadership language. We used to go from

leadership language. We used to go from leadership language. We used to go from sitting at one dinner table. We there sitting at one dinner table. We there sitting at one dinner table. We there was enough kind of people in the cabin was enough kind of people in the cabin was enough kind of people in the cabin at night to have a good conversation. at night to have a good conversation. at night to have a good conversation. But then when you went to 10, all of a But then when you went to 10, all of a But then when you went to 10, all of a sudden we're now at not at one table at sudden we're now at not at one table at sudden we're now at not at one table at meal times. We're at two tables. And now meal times. We're at two tables. And now meal times. We're at two tables. And now you've got just that much more kind of you've got just that much more kind of you've got just that much more kind of social interaction to try to get people social interaction to try to get people social interaction to try to get people to be friends and to connect and it to be friends and to connect and it to be friends and to connect and it started to fall apart. What I was doing started to fall apart. What I was doing started to fall apart. What I was doing to lead a cabin of six did not work for to lead a cabin of six did not work for to lead a cabin of six did not work for leading a cabin of 10. Group size leading a cabin of 10. Group size leading a cabin of 10. Group size matters. Scale doesn't just add matters. Scale doesn't just add matters. Scale doesn't just add complexity, it alters the relational complexity, it alters the relational complexity, it alters the relational physics of a group. And I think the same physics of a group. And I think the same physics of a group. And I think the same dynamic is true for churches as they dynamic is true for churches as they dynamic is true for churches as they grow beyond 500 to a,000 and beyond. grow beyond 500 to a,000 and beyond. grow beyond 500 to a,000 and beyond. What got you to 500 will not get you to What got you to 500 will not get you to What got you to 500 will not get you to a thousand and beyond. And there's a a thousand and beyond. And there's a a thousand and beyond. And there's a number of key ways that we've got to number of key ways that we've got to number of key ways that we've got to think differently and ultimately act think differently and ultimately act think differently and ultimately act differently. The niceness trap. How differently. The niceness trap. How differently. The niceness trap. How healthy cultures turn hazardous at healthy cultures turn hazardous at healthy cultures turn hazardous at around 800. Let me be blunt. 800 frankly around 800. Let me be blunt. 800 frankly around 800. Let me be blunt. 800 frankly is a trap size. Only a sliver of North is a trap size. Only a sliver of North is a trap size. Only a sliver of North American churches get, you know, ever American churches get, you know, ever American churches get, you know, ever hit the 500 barrier and even fewer to hit the 500 barrier and even fewer to hit the 500 barrier and even fewer to get to a,000 and even fewer get to get to a,000 and even fewer get to get to a,000 and even fewer get to 2,000. It's like a consecutive pressure.

2,000. It's like a consecutive pressure. 2,000. It's like a consecutive pressure. As a church gets larger and larger, it As a church gets larger and larger, it As a church gets larger and larger, it becomes harder to do that. Only about 4% becomes harder to do that. Only about 4% becomes harder to do that. Only about 4% get to 500, about 2% break the thousand get to 500, about 2% break the thousand get to 500, about 2% break the thousand barrier. What does that mean? That half barrier. What does that mean? That half barrier. What does that mean? That half of the churches that break the 500 of the churches that break the 500 of the churches that break the 500 barrier will not break the 1,000 barrier will not break the 1,000 barrier will not break the 1,000 barrier. And that's not random. It's barrier. And that's not random. It's barrier. And that's not random. It's really is structural at 800. What got really is structural at 800. What got really is structural at 800. What got you here? Tight relationships, consensus you here? Tight relationships, consensus you here? Tight relationships, consensus leadership, and the beloved family feel leadership, and the beloved family feel leadership, and the beloved family feel and a place that people frankly invited and a place that people frankly invited and a place that people frankly invited friends to come and be a part of quietly friends to come and be a part of quietly friends to come and be a part of quietly becomes the lid on what God wants to do becomes the lid on what God wants to do becomes the lid on what God wants to do next at your church. Tim Keller calls next at your church. Tim Keller calls next at your church. Tim Keller calls this the size culture. And in fact, in this the size culture. And in fact, in this the size culture. And in fact, in our show notes today, you can click our show notes today, you can click our show notes today, you can click there's this great, it's almost 20 years there's this great, it's almost 20 years there's this great, it's almost 20 years old, this great PDF from 20 years ago old, this great PDF from 20 years ago old, this great PDF from 20 years ago where he talks through this. Every size where he talks through this. Every size where he talks through this. Every size behaves different. And if you impose behaves different. And if you impose behaves different. And if you impose small church expectations on a larger small church expectations on a larger small church expectations on a larger body, like expecting the senior pastor body, like expecting the senior pastor body, like expecting the senior pastor to personally be available to everyone, to personally be available to everyone, to personally be available to everyone, that sort of thing, you ultimately wreak that sort of thing, you ultimately wreak that sort of thing, you ultimately wreak havoc. Decision-making slows to a crawl. havoc. Decision-making slows to a crawl. havoc. Decision-making slows to a crawl. 6-hour elder meetings become normal and 6-hour elder meetings become normal and 6-hour elder meetings become normal and leaders burn out. Doing the shephering leaders burn out. Doing the shephering leaders burn out. Doing the shephering that should be owned, frankly, by teams that should be owned, frankly, by teams that should be owned, frankly, by teams and systems. You know, we've got a and systems. You know, we've got a and systems. You know, we've got a webinar coming up tomorrow. The day that webinar coming up tomorrow. The day that webinar coming up tomorrow. The day that this launches, it's literally the next this launches, it's literally the next this launches, it's literally the next day at churchgrowthaunchpad.com.

day at churchgrowthaunchpad.com. day at churchgrowthaunchpad.com. And what we're looking at is really what And what we're looking at is really what And what we're looking at is really what churches do in this 500 to a,000 range churches do in this 500 to a,000 range churches do in this 500 to a,000 range that keep growing. One of the areas that that keep growing. One of the areas that that keep growing. One of the areas that we've got to focus on is invite culture. we've got to focus on is invite culture. we've got to focus on is invite culture. You see, early on in a church's You see, early on in a church's You see, early on in a church's development, inviting just happened. But development, inviting just happened. But development, inviting just happened. But what we learn is the fastest growing what we learn is the fastest growing what we learn is the fastest growing churches that break the thousand, 2,000, churches that break the thousand, 2,000, churches that break the thousand, 2,000, and more barriers, they don't leave and more barriers, they don't leave and more barriers, they don't leave invite up to chance. They train, equip, invite up to chance. They train, equip, invite up to chance. They train, equip, and motivate their people to invite and motivate their people to invite and motivate their people to invite their friends. So, at the Churchgrowth their friends. So, at the Churchgrowth their friends. So, at the Churchgrowth Launchpad, you can just learn more and Launchpad, you can just learn more and Launchpad, you can just learn more and register at churchgrowthaunchpad.com. register at churchgrowthaunchpad.com. register at churchgrowthaunchpad.com. We're going to be giving you a 90-day We're going to be giving you a 90-day We're going to be giving you a 90-day plan. So, we'll actually talk you plan. So, we'll actually talk you plan. So, we'll actually talk you through here's what you should be doing through here's what you should be doing through here's what you should be doing in the next 90 days going into early in the next 90 days going into early in the next 90 days going into early 2026 to help you launch and grow or more 2026 to help you launch and grow or more 2026 to help you launch and grow or more than launch, help you grow. And then than launch, help you grow. And then than launch, help you grow. And then we're also going to talk about five we're also going to talk about five we're also going to talk about five levers that fast growing churches pull levers that fast growing churches pull levers that fast growing churches pull to build their invite culture. I'd love to build their invite culture. I'd love to build their invite culture. I'd love to have you there. It's completely free, to have you there. It's completely free, to have you there. It's completely free, 1 hour. It's at 12:00 noon Eastern or 1 hour. It's at 12:00 noon Eastern or 1 hour. It's at 12:00 noon Eastern or 9:00 a.m. for our friends on the Pacific 9:00 a.m. for our friends on the Pacific 9:00 a.m. for our friends on the Pacific Coast. We'll also be doing Q&A and that Coast. We'll also be doing Q&A and that Coast. We'll also be doing Q&A and that sort of thing. So again, that's sort of thing. So again, that's sort of thing. So again, that's churchgrowthaunchpad.com churchgrowthaunchpad.com churchgrowthaunchpad.com November 12th. That's tomorrow, the day November 12th. That's tomorrow, the day November 12th. That's tomorrow, the day this releases. I want to have you there. this releases. I want to have you there. this releases. I want to have you there. If you're a church between 500 and a If you're a church between 500 and a If you're a church between 500 and a thousand, you absolutely need to be at thousand, you absolutely need to be at thousand, you absolutely need to be at this webinar. But let's jump back in and this webinar. But let's jump back in and this webinar. But let's jump back in and talk through how the neness trap shows talk through how the neness trap shows talk through how the neness trap shows up. Well, first of all, consensus as a up. Well, first of all, consensus as a up. Well, first of all, consensus as a creed. You know, there's this idea that creed. You know, there's this idea that creed. You know, there's this idea that like we all have to agree. And in a very like we all have to agree. And in a very like we all have to agree. And in a very small church, maybe that was fine. And small church, maybe that was fine. And small church, maybe that was fine. And then in fact that kind of starts to then in fact that kind of starts to then in fact that kind of starts to ripple out. But consensus ultimately can ripple out. But consensus ultimately can ripple out. But consensus ultimately can slow down a church. We have to be led by slow down a church. We have to be led by slow down a church. We have to be led by people who I believe God has given a people who I believe God has given a people who I believe God has given a vision to. And and a part of our job as vision to. And and a part of our job as vision to. And and a part of our job as a leader is to ask the Lord, "What is a leader is to ask the Lord, "What is a leader is to ask the Lord, "What is it? What is the vision that you have for

it? What is the vision that you have for it? What is the vision that you have for our church? And how can I help lead us our church? And how can I help lead us our church? And how can I help lead us there?" You know, the family can become there?" You know, the family can become there?" You know, the family can become a club, insider language, clicks, a a club, insider language, clicks, a a club, insider language, clicks, a crowded calendar built around those who crowded calendar built around those who crowded calendar built around those who are already committed. signal to Duke are already committed. signal to Duke are already committed. signal to Duke newcomers, man, this just isn't for you. newcomers, man, this just isn't for you. newcomers, man, this just isn't for you. The insideriness of a church of 800 is The insideriness of a church of 800 is The insideriness of a church of 800 is super insepid. You've got to work hard super insepid. You've got to work hard super insepid. You've got to work hard to make sure that you are both expecting to make sure that you are both expecting to make sure that you are both expecting and accepting new here guests. You've and accepting new here guests. You've and accepting new here guests. You've got to go out of your way to make sure got to go out of your way to make sure got to go out of your way to make sure that new here guests, people who are that new here guests, people who are that new here guests, people who are just arriving, feel welcome when they just arriving, feel welcome when they just arriving, feel welcome when they arrive. You know, uh this comfort thing arrive. You know, uh this comfort thing arrive. You know, uh this comfort thing can settle in in a church of this size. can settle in in a church of this size. can settle in in a church of this size. And what you really need to be have is And what you really need to be have is And what you really need to be have is have clarity around what it is that you have clarity around what it is that you have clarity around what it is that you believe God's called you to. What once believe God's called you to. What once believe God's called you to. What once felt like unity can become a veto power felt like unity can become a veto power felt like unity can become a veto power and actually slow the church down. It's and actually slow the church down. It's and actually slow the church down. It's not pastoral care. It's really not pastoral care. It's really not pastoral care. It's really organizational anemia. So friends, organizational anemia. So friends, organizational anemia. So friends, niceness, this idea of like we're all in niceness, this idea of like we're all in niceness, this idea of like we're all in here. It's us four and no more. That here. It's us four and no more. That here. It's us four and no more. That erodess the the is an undercurrent that erodess the the is an undercurrent that erodess the the is an undercurrent that erodess a church of 500 to a thousand.

erodess a church of 500 to a thousand. erodess a church of 500 to a thousand. And you've got to work hard to push And you've got to work hard to push And you've got to work hard to push against that and really ultimately against that and really ultimately against that and really ultimately driving people to invite their friends driving people to invite their friends driving people to invite their friends to to really make this about people who to to really make this about people who to to really make this about people who are not here yet. Niceness can feel like are not here yet. Niceness can feel like are not here yet. Niceness can feel like godliness, but it really isn't. Niceness godliness, but it really isn't. Niceness godliness, but it really isn't. Niceness can mimic fruit. It creates harmony. can mimic fruit. It creates harmony. can mimic fruit. It creates harmony. It's low comfort, positive vibes. But It's low comfort, positive vibes. But It's low comfort, positive vibes. But harmony without movement is a hospice. harmony without movement is a hospice. harmony without movement is a hospice. It's not health. Midsize churches It's not health. Midsize churches It's not health. Midsize churches plateau. And they show this plateau. And they show this plateau. And they show this uncomfortable pairing. two things uncomfortable pairing. two things uncomfortable pairing. two things between an insider satisfaction is between an insider satisfaction is between an insider satisfaction is paired with low evangelistic engagement. paired with low evangelistic engagement. paired with low evangelistic engagement. So people are super happy with who's So people are super happy with who's So people are super happy with who's here and they're not reaching out to here and they're not reaching out to here and they're not reaching out to their friends around them. And we often their friends around them. And we often their friends around them. And we often might use theology to cover this up. might use theology to cover this up. might use theology to cover this up. You've heard leaders say this. Oh, we're You've heard leaders say this. Oh, we're You've heard leaders say this. Oh, we're being faithful. We're not chasing the being faithful. We're not chasing the being faithful. We're not chasing the numbers. Faithfulness and fearlessness numbers. Faithfulness and fearlessness numbers. Faithfulness and fearlessness are not enemies. The church in Acts was are not enemies. The church in Acts was are not enemies. The church in Acts was constantly adding people and was constantly adding people and was constantly adding people and was constantly in tension. They constantly constantly in tension. They constantly constantly in tension. They constantly had to reorganize and think about what had to reorganize and think about what had to reorganize and think about what are we doing to make space for people are we doing to make space for people are we doing to make space for people who aren't here yet. When peace becomes who aren't here yet. When peace becomes who aren't here yet. When peace becomes an excuse to protect our preferences.

an excuse to protect our preferences. an excuse to protect our preferences. That's not gentleness. It's mission That's not gentleness. It's mission That's not gentleness. It's mission drift. Niceness never risks, never drift. Niceness never risks, never drift. Niceness never risks, never disappoints, and never decides. And you disappoints, and never decides. And you disappoints, and never decides. And you know what? That isn't love. It's know what? That isn't love. It's know what? That isn't love. It's abdication. So this the antidote for abdication. So this the antidote for abdication. So this the antidote for you, one of the antidotes, a significant you, one of the antidotes, a significant you, one of the antidotes, a significant antidote, the biggest antidote, the antidote, the biggest antidote, the antidote, the biggest antidote, the thing I want you to think about, dear thing I want you to think about, dear thing I want you to think about, dear leader, is if you're in this church of leader, is if you're in this church of leader, is if you're in this church of 500 to a,000, you should be thinking 500 to a,000, you should be thinking 500 to a,000, you should be thinking about invite culture. The cure is about invite culture. The cure is about invite culture. The cure is clarity, courage, and an invite culture. clarity, courage, and an invite culture. clarity, courage, and an invite culture. This isn't about being corporate. It's This isn't about being corporate. It's This isn't about being corporate. It's about becoming clear. It's the courage about becoming clear. It's the courage about becoming clear. It's the courage to choose mission over maintenance, to choose mission over maintenance, to choose mission over maintenance, which will feel less nice to insiders. which will feel less nice to insiders. which will feel less nice to insiders. That's just going to happen because That's just going to happen because That's just going to happen because humans, we are we are focused on our own humans, we are we are focused on our own humans, we are we are focused on our own needs. It's not natural for us to worry needs. It's not natural for us to worry needs. It's not natural for us to worry about others. We are constantly about others. We are constantly about others. We are constantly self-centered. And a part of what we've self-centered. And a part of what we've self-centered. And a part of what we've got to do as an organization is we've got to do as an organization is we've got to do as an organization is we've got to reorient our organization to got to reorient our organization to got to reorient our organization to people who are not here yet. The data is people who are not here yet. The data is people who are not here yet. The data is super stubborn on this. Growing churches super stubborn on this. Growing churches super stubborn on this. Growing churches actively equip and encourage people to actively equip and encourage people to actively equip and encourage people to invite their friends. They train, invite their friends. They train, invite their friends. They train, mobilize, and equip their people. 72% of mobilize, and equip their people. 72% of mobilize, and equip their people. 72% of growing churches emphasize invitation growing churches emphasize invitation growing churches emphasize invitation versus 43% of churches in decline. Think versus 43% of churches in decline. Think versus 43% of churches in decline. Think about that. Nearly double f of fast about that. Nearly double f of fast about that. Nearly double f of fast growing churches. They are emphasizing growing churches. They are emphasizing growing churches. They are emphasizing invitation more than churches in invitation more than churches in invitation more than churches in decline. So what we've got to do is make decline. So what we've got to do is make decline. So what we've got to do is make invite culture your operating system.

invite culture your operating system. invite culture your operating system. Preach the why relentlessly. Every Preach the why relentlessly. Every Preach the why relentlessly. Every number has a name. Every name has a number has a name. Every name has a number has a name. Every name has a story. Every story matters to God. Equip story. Every story matters to God. Equip story. Every story matters to God. Equip the how. Give scripts. Give them things the how. Give scripts. Give them things the how. Give scripts. Give them things to say. Give them social media assets. to say. Give them social media assets. to say. Give them social media assets. Give them invite cards. Give them things Give them invite cards. Give them things Give them invite cards. Give them things to do. Fix the funnel. Invitation to do. Fix the funnel. Invitation to do. Fix the funnel. Invitation without assimilation is just churn. without assimilation is just churn. without assimilation is just churn. You've got to identify guests. You've You've got to identify guests. You've You've got to identify guests. You've got to follow up quickly. And you've got got to follow up quickly. And you've got got to follow up quickly. And you've got to have an over-the-top obvious next to have an over-the-top obvious next to have an over-the-top obvious next step for your firsttime guest. Design step for your firsttime guest. Design step for your firsttime guest. Design for scale. Think about kids, students, for scale. Think about kids, students, for scale. Think about kids, students, weekends, group. All of these engines weekends, group. All of these engines weekends, group. All of these engines must have capacity for you to pour must have capacity for you to pour must have capacity for you to pour invite gas on. Listen, we've seen five invite gas on. Listen, we've seen five invite gas on. Listen, we've seen five strategic pivots to break 800 and to strategic pivots to break 800 and to strategic pivots to break 800 and to live to tell about it. First of all is live to tell about it. First of all is live to tell about it. First of all is to go from the family feel to missional to go from the family feel to missional to go from the family feel to missional clarity. That's what we've been talking clarity. That's what we've been talking clarity. That's what we've been talking about here. Casting a crisp, repeatable about here. Casting a crisp, repeatable about here. Casting a crisp, repeatable vision for outsiders, not insiders. vision for outsiders, not insiders. vision for outsiders, not insiders. You've got to consistently say to your You've got to consistently say to your You've got to consistently say to your people, it's not about us. It's about people, it's not about us. It's about people, it's not about us. It's about the people that are not here. From the people that are not here. From the people that are not here. From consensus culture to accountable consensus culture to accountable consensus culture to accountable ownership, you've got to rewire your ownership, you've got to rewire your ownership, you've got to rewire your governance. Think about your board. They governance. Think about your board. They governance. Think about your board. They should be the one that are really should be the one that are really should be the one that are really guarding this mission that are asking guarding this mission that are asking guarding this mission that are asking the question where are we going from the question where are we going from the question where are we going from here? If the people on your board are here? If the people on your board are here? If the people on your board are not asking the question of who's not not asking the question of who's not not asking the question of who's not here yet, you might have the wrong here yet, you might have the wrong here yet, you might have the wrong people on your board. Your staff, they people on your board. Your staff, they people on your board. Your staff, they should be worrying about operations.

should be worrying about operations. should be worrying about operations. They should be worrying about the They should be worrying about the They should be worrying about the day-to-day interactions of the church. day-to-day interactions of the church. day-to-day interactions of the church. Now, what I like to do at this stage is Now, what I like to do at this stage is Now, what I like to do at this stage is to start challenging our board that we to start challenging our board that we to start challenging our board that we should be thinking much more like a should be thinking much more like a should be thinking much more like a policy board than an operational board. policy board than an operational board. policy board than an operational board. And we should be asking the questions And we should be asking the questions And we should be asking the questions that are at least a year away. What is a that are at least a year away. What is a that are at least a year away. What is a year from now? How how is the board year from now? How how is the board year from now? How how is the board leading us to where we're going rather leading us to where we're going rather leading us to where we're going rather than trying to fix the problems of than trying to fix the problems of than trying to fix the problems of today? Leave those up to staff. Another today? Leave those up to staff. Another today? Leave those up to staff. Another shift is from generalists to builders of shift is from generalists to builders of shift is from generalists to builders of builders. Your church stalls at the builders. Your church stalls at the builders. Your church stalls at the ceiling of your leaders developing other ceiling of your leaders developing other ceiling of your leaders developing other leaders. If everything if all of your leaders. If everything if all of your leaders. If everything if all of your volunteer teams report to staff, if all volunteer teams report to staff, if all volunteer teams report to staff, if all of your volunteers report to staff and of your volunteers report to staff and of your volunteers report to staff and they don't report to other volunteer they don't report to other volunteer they don't report to other volunteer leaders, you are going to cap your leaders, you are going to cap your leaders, you are going to cap your growth. your staff. Ephesians 4, they growth. your staff. Ephesians 4, they growth. your staff. Ephesians 4, they need to be thinking about not being need to be thinking about not being need to be thinking about not being doers of the work, but by equipping doers of the work, but by equipping doers of the work, but by equipping others to do the work. Number four, from others to do the work. Number four, from others to do the work. Number four, from a program buffet to a simple, obvious a program buffet to a simple, obvious a program buffet to a simple, obvious pathway. You know, the foundational work pathway. You know, the foundational work pathway. You know, the foundational work of simple church still applies to so of simple church still applies to so of simple church still applies to so many churches out there. There was a many churches out there. There was a many churches out there. There was a time when I started in ministry that time when I started in ministry that time when I started in ministry that churches would brag, we have 112 churches would brag, we have 112 churches would brag, we have 112 ministries, and we thought that was a ministries, and we thought that was a ministries, and we thought that was a good thing. It wasn't because people good thing. It wasn't because people good thing. It wasn't because people can't deal with all that choice. We've can't deal with all that choice. We've can't deal with all that choice. We've got to provide a simple pathway from a got to provide a simple pathway from a got to provide a simple pathway from a new here guest to a person being fully new here guest to a person being fully new here guest to a person being fully connected and it's got to be super connected and it's got to be super connected and it's got to be super clear, super obvious for people and we clear, super obvious for people and we clear, super obvious for people and we we've got to keep tweaking that during we've got to keep tweaking that during we've got to keep tweaking that during this this time period. Oftent times a this this time period. Oftent times a this this time period. Oftent times a church of 500 to a,000 they've got to church of 500 to a,000 they've got to church of 500 to a,000 they've got to retool their near their new here process retool their near their new here process retool their near their new here process to make it even more obvious. And then to make it even more obvious. And then to make it even more obvious. And then number five from talking about invite to number five from talking about invite to number five from talking about invite to measuring it. What you celebrate gets

measuring it. What you celebrate gets measuring it. What you celebrate gets replicated. There was a time where we replicated. There was a time where we replicated. There was a time where we were just surprised. Oh, people showed were just surprised. Oh, people showed were just surprised. Oh, people showed up at our church. But now what we need up at our church. But now what we need up at our church. But now what we need to do is measure the new here funnel. to do is measure the new here funnel. to do is measure the new here funnel. Measure the invite funnel. Understand Measure the invite funnel. Understand Measure the invite funnel. Understand are your people actually inviting and are your people actually inviting and are your people actually inviting and are those friends actually showing up. are those friends actually showing up. are those friends actually showing up. We've got to get that in front of our We've got to get that in front of our We've got to get that in front of our leaders. Get that in front of our people leaders. Get that in front of our people leaders. Get that in front of our people and keep them thinking about what can we and keep them thinking about what can we and keep them thinking about what can we do to increase the invite culture. do to increase the invite culture. do to increase the invite culture. Listen friends, when I was at that Listen friends, when I was at that Listen friends, when I was at that summer camp, you know, six kids at one summer camp, you know, six kids at one summer camp, you know, six kids at one table worked and I could pastor with table worked and I could pastor with table worked and I could pastor with just simply presence and charisma. But just simply presence and charisma. But just simply presence and charisma. But then when we went to 10, I 10 kids in a then when we went to 10, I 10 kids in a then when we went to 10, I 10 kids in a cabin, man, I needed to build new cabin, man, I needed to build new cabin, man, I needed to build new systems. I had to come up with new ways systems. I had to come up with new ways systems. I had to come up with new ways to communicate. The same is true with to communicate. The same is true with to communicate. The same is true with your church. What you did at 400 will your church. What you did at 400 will your church. What you did at 400 will not work at 800 and a,000. 800 requires not work at 800 and a,000. 800 requires not work at 800 and a,000. 800 requires leadership. Not mean, not brusk, but leadership. Not mean, not brusk, but leadership. Not mean, not brusk, but clear leadership. Niceness keeps clear leadership. Niceness keeps clear leadership. Niceness keeps insiders comfortable. It keeps us insiders comfortable. It keeps us insiders comfortable. It keeps us focused on ourselves. What we need from focused on ourselves. What we need from focused on ourselves. What we need from church leaders like you is to focus us church leaders like you is to focus us church leaders like you is to focus us on inviting the people who are not here on inviting the people who are not here on inviting the people who are not here yet. You see, a church of 200, a church yet. You see, a church of 200, a church yet. You see, a church of 200, a church of 100, a brand new church plant, of 100, a brand new church plant, of 100, a brand new church plant, they're good at inviting people, but they're good at inviting people, but they're good at inviting people, but that starts to drop off as your church that starts to drop off as your church that starts to drop off as your church grows. What you need to do is train, grows. What you need to do is train, grows. What you need to do is train, equip, and mobilize your people to equip, and mobilize your people to equip, and mobilize your people to invite their friends. And actually, invite their friends. And actually, invite their friends. And actually, tomorrow's online workshop at tomorrow's online workshop at tomorrow's online workshop at churchgrowth launchpad.com churchgrowth launchpad.com churchgrowth launchpad.com is at 12:00 noon for our friends on the is at 12:00 noon for our friends on the is at 12:00 noon for our friends on the East Coast, 9:00 a.m. for our friends on East Coast, 9:00 a.m. for our friends on East Coast, 9:00 a.m. for our friends on the West Coast. We would love to have the West Coast. We would love to have the West Coast. We would love to have you there, and we're going to go through you there, and we're going to go through you there, and we're going to go through really practically what can you do to really practically what can you do to really practically what can you do to increase the invite culture at church.

increase the invite culture at church. increase the invite culture at church. Plus, we're going to be opening up a Plus, we're going to be opening up a Plus, we're going to be opening up a brand new cohort for 2026 of Church brand new cohort for 2026 of Church brand new cohort for 2026 of Church Growth Incubator. This is a group Growth Incubator. This is a group Growth Incubator. This is a group coaching service where we take your coaching service where we take your coaching service where we take your senior leadership team for an entire senior leadership team for an entire senior leadership team for an entire year and we drive the lessons deep and year and we drive the lessons deep and year and we drive the lessons deep and increase the invite culture of your increase the invite culture of your increase the invite culture of your church. We've seen great results. In church. We've seen great results. In church. We've seen great results. In fact, there are churches that have been fact, there are churches that have been fact, there are churches that have been in this going on three, four years in this going on three, four years in this going on three, four years because of the results that they're because of the results that they're because of the results that they're seeing. Listen, nice doesn't change seeing. Listen, nice doesn't change seeing. Listen, nice doesn't change cities. You've got to get clear. You've cities. You've got to get clear. You've cities. You've got to get clear. You've got to have courage and animated by the got to have courage and animated by the got to have courage and animated by the spirit. Those are the things that will spirit. Those are the things that will spirit. Those are the things that will change your city that ultimately invite change your city that ultimately invite change your city that ultimately invite them to come and encounter Jesus. So, them to come and encounter Jesus. So, them to come and encounter Jesus. So, thanks so much friends. Thanks for being thanks so much friends. Thanks for being thanks so much friends. Thanks for being a part of Unseminary and tuning in. Let a part of Unseminary and tuning in. Let a part of Unseminary and tuning in. Let me know if if there's anything any way me know if if there's anything any way me know if if there's anything any way we can help you.