14 of the Best Church Growth Books of 2024
Many pastors (myself included) eagerly consume church growth books, podcasts, and courses. Why?
- We want to reach more people with the Gospel
- We want to see more lives transformed
- We want the Kingdom of God to increase and expand
Consider this though: a healthy church is a growing church... but not every growing church is healthy.
That's why this collection of church growth books is so valuable. Each examines scriptural principles with effective, current strategies for healthy church growth. Each of these is a useful resource for pastors, church leaders, or ministry students.
14 Best Church Growth Books Shortlist
Here's a shortlist of the best church growth books I think are worth reading in 2024:
- Church Growth Flywheel by Rich Birch
- Breakout Churches: Discover How to Make the Leap by Thom S. Rainer
- Becoming a Healthy Church by Stephen A. Macchia
- How to Break Growth Barriers by Carl F. George
- Creating Community: Five Keys to Building a Small Group Culture by Andy Stanley and Bill Willits
- The Book of Church Growth by Thom S. Rainer
- Fusion: Turning First-Time Guests into Fully-Engaged Members of Your Church by Nelson Searcy and Jennifer Dykes Henson
- Transformational Church: Creating a New Scorecard for Congregations by Ed Stetzer and Thom S. Rainer
- Future Church by Will Mancini and Cory Hartman
- The Gospel-Driven Church by Jared C. Wilson
- The Unstuck Church by Tony Morgan
- Taking Your Church to the Next Level by Gary L. McIntosh
- Organic Church: Growing Faith Where Life Happens by Neil Cole
- The Purpose Driven Church by Rick Warren
Find more details about each book below.
Overview of the 14 Best Church Growth Books
1. Church Growth Flywheel by Rich Birch
Summary:
Church Growth Flywheel by Rich Birch offers practical systems and strategies to help churches grow and thrive. Birch uses the flywheel concept to illustrate how small, consistent efforts can create momentum for significant church growth.
What You'll Learn:
The book discusses developing systems that ensure long-term growth in bible study and devotionals focused on Jesus, rather than relying on individual programs or events. Readers will learn actionable steps for implementing and applying these systems and concepts.
Why You Should Read It:
This book provides actionable insights and real-world examples for those committed to expanding their ministry that help church leaders develop a sustainable growth strategy.
Quote From The Book:
"Churches that grow understand that it’s not about doing one thing right but about doing a lot of things slightly better over time."
About The Author:
Rich Birch is a church growth consultant, speaker, and the author of several books on church leadership. Connect with him on X and his website.
2. Breakout Churches: Discover How to Make the Leap by Thom S. Rainer
Summary:
In Breakout Churches, Thom S. Rainer explores why some churches experience significant growth while others do not. Through extensive research, Rainer identifies key characteristics and practices that help churches break through growth barriers and achieve lasting success.
What You'll Learn:
The book discusses practical steps for transforming your church through strong and visionary leadership, a clear and compelling mission that drives activities and decisions, and a willingness to change at the cost of comfort or tradition.
Why You Should Read It:
Thom S. Rainer's research-driven approach provides a clear roadmap for churches seeking to overcome stagnation and achieve remarkable growth.
Quote From The Book:
"Breakout churches are willing to change their culture to align with the mission of reaching people for Christ."
About The Author:
Thom S. Rainer is an author, researcher, and former president of Lifeway Christian Resources. Connect with him on LinkedIn, and X.
3. How to Break Growth Barriers by Carl F. George
Summary:
How to Break Growth Barriers by Carl F. George offers practical advice on overcoming the common obstacles churches face as they grow. The book provides strategies for breaking through growth plateaus and sustaining momentum in church expansion.
What You'll Learn:
This book provides techniques for scaling church operations and leadership, ways to maintain growth without sacrificing quality and community, explains the importance of strategic planning, and leadership development, and the need for pastors to become leaders and equippers.
Why You Should Read It:
Carl F. George brings decades of experience in church consultancy to this book, making it an essential read for leaders aiming to navigate and sustain church growth.
Quote From The Book:
“The greatest barrier to growth is often the invisible one within our own leadership mindset.”
About The Author:
Carl F. George is a seasoned church consultant and author. Connect with him on LinkedIn.
4. Growing God's Church by Gary L. McIntosh
Summary:
Growing God's Church by Gary L. McIntosh examines the essential principles and practices that lead to effective evangelism and church growth. McIntosh combines research, biblical insights, and practical applications to guide churches in reaching their communities.
What You'll Learn:
The book offers insights into how and why people come to faith and join a church community, teaches how to create a welcoming and growth-oriented church environment, and implements church outreach strategies.
Why You Should Read It:
This book is perfect for church leaders who want to understand and implement effective evangelism strategies.
Quote From The Book:
“True church growth happens when believers are equipped to share their faith and engage their community in meaningful ways.”
About The Author:
Gary L. McIntosh is a renowned church growth expert and author. Connect with him on LinkedIn, X, and his website.
5. Creating Community: Five Keys to Building a Thriving Small Group Culture by Andy Stanley and Bill Willits
Summary:
Creating Community offers a practical guide to building and nurturing small groups within a church. The authors, Andy Stanley and Bill Willits, share their experiences and strategies for fostering community and connection among church members. The book outlines five key principles that have been successful in creating vibrant, life-changing small-group cultures.
What You'll Learn:
This book focuses on the importance of small groups and member engagement in church growth. It provides strategies for starting and sustaining small groups, how to train and support small group leaders, and practical tips for overcoming common challenges in small group ministry.
Why You Should Read It:
This book is for church leaders looking to create a strong community within their congregation. The actionable insights and real-world examples provided by Stanley and Willits will help you build a small group culture that promotes spiritual growth and personal connections.
Quote From The Book:
"Authentic community is the desire of God for every believer."
About The Author:
Andy Stanley is the founder and senior pastor of North Point Ministries. Find him on his LinkedIn and follow him on X.
6. The Book of Church Growth by Thom S. Rainer
Summary:
The Book of Church Growth by Thom S. Rainer provides a comprehensive look at the principles and practices contributing to church growth. Rainer delves into church growth's historical, theological, and practical aspects, offering readers a well-rounded perspective on effectively growing their congregations.
What You'll Learn:
The book provides a detailed history of the church growth movement, helping readers understand how various growth strategies have evolved. It discusses the importance of understanding and adapting to cultural and societal changes while maintaining doctrinal integrity.
Why You Should Read It:
This book is a valuable resource for understanding the broader context of church growth. Rainer's thorough analysis and practical advice make it a must-read for anyone serious about expanding their church's reach and impact.
Quote From The Book:
"Effective church growth is not about numbers; it's about transformation."
About The Author:
Thom S. Rainer is the CEO of Church Answers. Follow and connect with him through his X, LinkedIn and website.
7. Fusion: Turning First-Time Guests into Fully-Engaged Members of Your Church by Nelson Searcy and Jennifer Dykes Henson
Summary:
Fusion by Nelson Searcy and Jennifer Dykes Henson is a practical guide for transforming first-time church visitors into active, fully-engaged members. The book provides a step-by-step process for welcoming newcomers and integrating them into church life, ensuring they feel valued and connected from their first visit.
What You'll Learn:
The readers will learn techniques for making a great first impression on church visitors and strategies for follow-up and engagement with new attendees. The book provides tips on creating a welcoming and inclusive church environment and connecting them with small groups and church activities that align with their interests and spiritual needs.
Why You Should Read It:
If you want to improve your church's visitor retention and engagement, this book is for you. Searcy and Henson's practical advice and proven strategies will help you turn first-time guests into committed members of your church community.
Quote From The Book:
"The first step in turning guests into members is to make them feel like they belong."
About The Author:
Nelson Searcy is the Lead Pastor at The Journey Church and Jennifer Dykes Henson is a writer of bestselling books.
8. Transformational Church: Creating a New Scorecard for Congregations by Ed Stetzer and Thom S. Rainer
Summary:
Transformational Church by Ed Stetzer and Thom S. Rainer offers a comprehensive guide to revitalizing congregations by shifting their focus from traditional metrics to transformational ministry. The book presents a new scorecard to measure church health and growth through engagement, discipleship, and community impact.
What You'll Learn:
This book offers strategies for transforming lives and communities instead of counting attendance and offerings as a measure of success and emphasizes the importance of shifting the church’s focus from programs to people.
Why You Should Read It:
This book is an important resource for church leaders seeking a different perspective on church growth. The book equips church leaders with practical tools to foster deep spiritual growth and community involvement.
Quote From The Book:
“The goal of a transformational church is not merely to grow in numbers, but to grow in the depth of their faith and the impact they have on their community.”
About The Author:
Dr. Ed Stetzer is known for his church planting, revitalization, and missiology expertise. Thom S. Rainer founded Church Answers, an online community and resource for church leaders.
- Connect with Dr. Ed Stetzer through his LinkedIn, X, and website.
- Connect with Thom S. Rainer through LinkedIn, and X.
9. Future Church by Will Mancini and Cory Hartman
Summary:
Future Church by Will Mancini and Cory Hartman explores seven laws of real church growth that go beyond traditional church metrics. The authors provide a blueprint for churches to thrive in a changing cultural landscape by focusing on disciple-making and mission fulfillment.
What You'll Learn:
The book emphasizes the need to multiply disciples through a process for making disciples and develop a culture where every member is equipped and encouraged to disciple others, leading to exponential growth. It advocates deep, personal transformation in the lives of church members and is available on Kindle.
Why You Should Read It:
This book offers a visionary approach to church growth, highlighting the importance of authentic discipleship and mission-driven ministry.
Quote From The Book:
“True church growth is measured not by how many attend, but by how many are sent out to make disciples.”
About The Author:
Will Mancini is the founder of Future Church Co., and Cory Hartman is an author and has collaborated with Christian organizations and leaders after serving as a pastor.
- Connect with Will Mancini on LinkedIn, X, and visit his official website.
- Learn more about Cory Hartman’s work on his Amazon portfolio.
10. The Gospel-Driven Church by Jared C. Wilson
Summary:
The Gospel-Driven Church by Jared C. Wilson argues for a church growth model centered on the gospel rather than consumer-driven strategies. Wilson emphasizes the importance of gospel fidelity and offers practical steps for fostering genuine spiritual growth within the church.
What You'll Learn:
This book discusses the pitfalls of the modern church growth movement and presents an alternative approach to re-centering a church’s mission on the gospel. It offers practical steps for implementing gospel-driven growth and encourages churches to focus on creating disciples transformed and rooted by the gospel.
Why You Should Read It:
Wilson’s book is a call to return to the core message of the gospel, urging the Christian church to become a welcoming church guided by the Holy Spirit, offering a countercultural approach to church growth that prioritizes spiritual depth over superficial metrics.
Quote From The Book:
“A gospel-driven church measures success not by its seating capacity, but by its sending capacity.”
About The Author:
Jared C. Wilson is a preaching pastor at Liberty Baptist Church. Connect with him on X and Facebook and learn more about his work on his website.
11. The Unstuck Church by Tony Morgan
Summary:
The Unstuck Church by Tony Morgan is a practical guide for leaders seeking to navigate the various phases of church life. Morgan identifies seven stages of a church’s life cycle and provides actionable insights to help leaders move their congregations from stuck to thriving.
What You'll Learn:
This book, one of the latest new releases, helps readers understand where their church, whether a small community or a megachurch, is in its journey and how to move forward effectively. It offers tools and guidance for assessing a church’s current health and stage and helps leaders diagnose issues preventing growth or causing stagnation.
Why You Should Read It:
Morgan’s book offers a clear roadmap for church leaders feeling stuck. His practical approach and real-life examples make it a valuable resource for anyone wanting to lead their church through periods of stagnation or decline.
Quote From The Book:
"Leadership isn’t about getting people to follow you to a destination; it’s about giving people the clarity they need to pursue the vision themselves."
About The Author:
Tony Morgan is a church strategist, founder of The Unstuck Group, and an experienced church leader. Connect with Tony on LinkedIn, X, or visit his website.
12. Taking Your Church to the Next Level by Gary L. McIntosh
Summary:
In Taking Your Church to the Next Level, Gary L. McIntosh provides a comprehensive guide for church leaders seeking to understand and implement effective growth strategies. McIntosh emphasizes the importance of understanding the church’s current level and offers tailored advice to achieve the next level of growth.
What You'll Learn:
This book discusses the role of leadership in church development and strategies for managing transitions and growth. It highlights how leaders can develop the necessary skills to manage the church’s progression.
Why You Should Read It:
This book is essential for church leaders who want to systematically and effectively guide their church through growth stages. McIntosh’s insights are based on extensive research and practical experience, making them highly actionable.
Quote From The Book:
"Growth is not just about numbers; it's about nurturing the spiritual health of the congregation and expanding the church's impact."
About The Author:
Gary L. McIntosh is a renowned church growth expert, consultant, and author. Connect with Gary on LinkedIn, X, or visit his website.
13. Organic Church: Growing Faith Where Life Happens by Neil Cole
Summary:
Organic Church by Neil Cole offers a refreshing perspective on church growth by emphasizing natural, life-integrated approaches. Cole advocates for a decentralized, grassroots model of church that grows organically from everyday life rather than through structured programs.
What You'll Learn:
This book discusses how to view the church as a living, organic entity rather than a structured institution. It emphasizes that the church should grow naturally by spreading the message of Christ in everyday life contexts.
Why You Should Read It:
Cole’s book challenges traditional church growth models and presents a compelling vision for a more authentic and sustainable approach. It’s perfect for those looking to rethink church growth from the ground up.
Quote From The Book:
"The church should be less like a business and more like a family, growing naturally as we share our lives and faith with others."
About The Author:
Neil Cole is an influential church planter, author, and speaker. Connect with Neil on LinkedIn, X, or visit his website.
14. The Purpose Driven Church by Rick Warren
Summary:
In The Purpose Driven Church, Rick Warren shares the model that has made Saddleback Church one of America’s largest and most influential churches.
Warren outlines five biblical purposes for the church: worship, ministry, evangelism, fellowship, and discipleship, and explains how focusing on these purposes can lead to healthy church growth.
What You'll Learn:
This book offers practical strategies for church growth and insights into creating a purpose-driven ministry that aligns with God’s plan. It explores the fundamental question of life’s purpose and highlights that every event, ministry, and service should contribute to fulfilling the church’s overarching goals.
Why You Should Read It:
For those seeking to revitalize their church, this book offers a comprehensive framework for establishing a strong foundation and sustainable growth.
Quote From The Book:
"A great commitment to the Great Commandment and the Great Commission will grow a great church."
About The Author:
Rick Warren is the founding pastor of Saddleback Church, a best-selling author, and a
Stay Connected with the latest in Church Management
These books offer invaluable insights and strategies for church growth, drawn from years of experience and practical application. They have helped many church leaders navigate challenges and drive meaningful growth.
If there are other books you believe should be on this list, please suggest them in the comments. Your recommendations could help others discover valuable resources for their ministry.
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