Are We Fostering Dependence Upon the Church or Upon Jesus?

Fear of Losing People Can Hinder Church Growth

It’s natural for church leaders to want their congregations to thrive, and numbers often feel like the easiest metric of success. But what if the very strategies designed to keep people in the pews are the ones holding the church back from true growth?

Too often, the fear of losing people keeps us focused on creating programs that make people want to stay rather than equipping them to go. We unintentionally foster a dependence on the church instead of cultivating a dependence on Jesus. This approach limits the potential of our people and, ultimately, the impact of the church.

Jesus didn’t call His disciples to stay in comfortable circles of community. He called them to go and make disciples (Matthew 28:19-20). The early church wasn’t built on programs; it thrived because believers were empowered to live out their faith wherever they lived, worked, learned, and played.

When we mobilize people for mission—teaching them to embrace their unique calling, use their spiritual gifts, and develop Christ-like character—we might fear losing them, but we actually free them to live fully alive in Jesus. And as they multiply His mission, the church grows in ways that go beyond what we could imagine.

True growth isn’t about how many people sit in the sanctuary; it’s about how many lives are being transformed by Jesus, both inside and outside the walls of the church. Are you willing to let go of fear and trust Him to grow His church through discipleship?

*Leadership Resources Community requires a subscription on the Fully Alive App.