An exploration of the relationship between a process-driven design for church ministry and church growth

Abstract

This study formally explores the nature of the relationship between church growth and a process-driven design for church ministry. From extensive literature on church growth, church leadership, and process, four elements of a process-driven design are identified: the leaders' comprehension, the flow, simplicity, and the alignment. A process-driven church is designed around a strategic and comprehensive life transformation process that moves people through stages of spiritual transformation. The leadership has a clear understanding of this process and is committed to executing it. The process is simple, flows logically, and is implemented in each part of the church so that there is full alignment.

Based on these four elements, the Process Design Survey was developed with consultation from an expert panel. The survey was electronically distributed to a random stratified sample consisting of 400 growing churches and 400 non-growing churches. The responses from both strata are compared to determine the extent of the relationship between church growth and a process-driven design. The research data contends that there is a highly significant relationship between church growth and a process-driven design for church ministry. The data also proposes that there is a highly significant relationship between church growth and each of the four process-driven design elements. Growing churches scored significantly higher on the Process Design Survey than non-growing churches in each of the four elements. Analysis of the data is provided through tables and charts and implications and applications are presented in response to the data. Suggestions for further research are also presented.