Why Churches Are Not Multiplying?

Old Church

When God created humanity, He embedded the DNA of multiplication. The first command given to Adam and Eve was, “Be fruitful and multiply” (Gen. 1:28, KJV). However, many churches today fail to embrace this divine mandate, becoming stagnant and locked in a maintenance-focused culture. This article explores why churches are not multiplying and offers biblical and practical insights to recover the vision of exponential growth.

The DNA of Multiplication in God’s Plan

From creation, God’s purpose has been clear: multiplication is central to His mission. The command to multiply (Gen. 1:28) was not just biological but spiritual. God’s covenant with Abraham further emphasized this mission, calling him the “father of many nations” (Gen. 17:5, KJV). Through faith, believers become Abraham’s spiritual descendants, tasked with carrying forward this mission (Gal. 3:29).

Ellen White reinforces that churches are to be “God’s appointed agency for the salvation of men” and must reproduce spiritually by creating new communities of faith (White, 1909, p. 18). Sadly, many churches resist this call, choosing maintenance over multiplication.

Contradiction of Spiritual Infertility

Churches that fail to multiply contradict their purpose. They resemble bonsai trees: ornamental and stunted by choice, rather than vibrant and growing. As Marshall and Payne observe, “Churches focused on internal programs neglect their calling to extend God’s mission” (2015, p. 52).

Metaphors of Stagnant Churches

1. Bonsai Churches

These churches remain small by design, prioritizing maintenance over mission. Their roots are clipped early, hindering organic growth (Barro, 2013, p. 45).

2. Ferrari Churches

While equipped with state-of-the-art resources, these churches lack movement. Hirsch notes that they often focus on aesthetics and technology instead of creating disciples and sending leaders (2015, p. 23).

3. Dead Sea Churches

Like the Dead Sea, these churches only receive but never give, leading to spiritual stagnation. In contrast, the Sea of Galilee thrives because it receives and shares its resources (Senge, 2016, p. 178).

4. Cruise Ship Churches

These congregations cater to the comfort of members, much like a luxury cruise. However, the church should be a carrier vessel, equipping and sending people into mission (Stetzer & Bird, 2010, p. 58).

Barriers to Multiplication

1. The Addition Culture

Many churches prioritize addition—seeking numerical growth without focusing on making disciples who multiply. Wilson describes this as “a fundamental misunderstanding of biblical growth” (2014, p. 37).

2. The Barrier of 80 Members

Most churches plateau at around 80 members due to structural and leadership limitations. This stagnation often arises from shifting focus from mission to internal maintenance (Wilson, 2014, p. 45).

3. Lack of Vision

Stetzer (2010, p. 12) highlights that without a clear vision for multiplication, churches fall into the trap of self-preservation, neglecting their broader mission.

4. Institutional Constraints

Rigid structures and centralized leadership often stifle creativity and inhibit the development of new leaders and congregations (Marshall & Payne, 2015, p. 87).

Pathways to Multiplication

1. Cultivating a Multiplication Culture

Churches must shift from addition-focused growth to multiplication-driven ministry. Wilson, Fergusson, and Hirsch (2015, p. 49) identify five levels of church culture:

1. Subtraction: Declining churches.

2. Maintenance: Stable but stagnant churches.

3. Addition: Slowly growing churches.

4. Reproduction: Churches planting new churches.

5. Multiplication: Churches catalyzing exponential movements.

2. Micro and Macro Strategies

Effective multiplication requires two complementary approaches:

• Micro Growth: Making disciples who make disciples.

• Macro Growth: Developing leaders and planting churches (Wilson, 2017, p. 82).

3. Overcoming the 80-Member Barrier

Churches that surpass this barrier focus on mission rather than infrastructure. For example, a church in Cascavel, Brazil, chose to plant a daughter church rather than invest in a larger building. This decision sustained their missional focus and prevented stagnation (Marshall & Payne, 2015, p. 102).

Breaking the Cycle of Maintenance

The Danger of Maintenance Culture

Churches that prioritize maintenance over mission create an inward-focused cycle. They become dependent on programs and centralized leadership, losing their missional identity (Hirsch, 2015, p. 59).

The Virtuous Cycle of Multiplication

Churches must adopt a multiplication mindset, continuously reproducing disciples, leaders, and congregations. This approach fosters movement and aligns with God’s call to be fruitful and multiply (Gen. 1:28).

The Way Forward

1. Personal Transformation

Change begins with the individual. Pastors and leaders must embrace a missional lifestyle, incorporating rhythms of spiritual renewal, such as Sabbath rest and intentional community engagement (Barro, 2013, p. 19).

2. Leadership Development

Train leaders to think missionally and equip them to create disciples who multiply. White advises that “pastors should empower members to work both inside and outside the church” (White, 1886, p. 2).

3. Visionary Preaching

Use the pulpit to inspire and mobilize the church. Preaching must emphasize mission, discipleship, and community transformation (Dias, 2016, p. 157).

4. Missional Engagement

Churches should focus on their communities, serving as ambassadors of reconciliation and hope (2 Cor. 5:18-21). This requires flexible structures and a commitment to innovation (Hirsch, 2015, p. 63).

Conclusion

The lack of multiplication in churches reflects a deeper crisis of vision and mission. Ellen White states:

“The church was organized for service, and its mission is to carry the gospel to the world” (White, 1909, p. 35).

To break free from the cycles of maintenance and addition, churches must embrace a culture of multiplication. By focusing on discipleship, leadership development, and church planting, we align with God’s purpose and unleash the transformative power of His Kingdom.

May our churches become movements that reflect the heart of a missionary God, fulfilling the Great Commission to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matt. 28:19-20, KJV).

References

• Barro, Jorge E. Pastores Livres: Libertando os Pastores dos Cativeiros Ministeriais. Londrina, PR: Descoberta, 2013.

• Dias, Caio C. Movimentos Missionais: A Igreja Local e o DNA do Reino. Curitiba: Êxito, 2016.

• Hirsch, Alan. The Forgotten Ways: Reactivating the Missional Church. Grand Rapids: Brazos Press, 2015.

• Marshall, Colin; Payne, Tony. The Trellis and the Vine: The Ministry Mind-Shift that Changes Everything. Sydney: Matthias Media, 2009.

• Senge, Peter M. The Fifth Discipline: The Art and Practice of the Learning Organization. New York: Doubleday, 2006.

• Stetzer, Ed; Bird, Warren. Viral Churches: Helping Church Planters Become Movement Makers. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2010.

• White, Ellen G. The Acts of the Apostles. Mountain View: Pacific Press, 1909.

• Wilson, Todd; Mancini, Will. Dream Big, Plan Smart. [S.l.]: Exponential, 2016.