I’ve been a church strategy junkie for going on ten years now. I read books on church strategy, listen to podcasts on church strategy, and write blogs on church strategy. I’ve even gone so far as to plan vacations around churches I want to learn from. So far I’ve visited Elevation Church in Charlotte, North Point Community Church in Atlanta, and Hillsong Church in New York City.

After ten years of research, I think I’ve finally figured out the absolute best church growth strategy.

Here it is…Love God, and love people.

Be honest, how many of you were disappointed when you read that? It seems too simple? Too generic? You’ve probably heard it before, right?

Yet, that’s the beauty of it. It’s so simple, so generic that any church can do it.

You don’t need a new strategy or a new gimmick. You just need to do what Jesus said.

“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?”  And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:36-39

So, ask yourself this question, do you love God and love people?

Because it begins with you. The people in your congregation, on your team, or in your group will follow your lead.

How often are you praying? How often are you reading your Bible outside of sermon prep time? How often are you raising your arms in worship? How often are you inviting people to church? How often are you being generous to someone?

If you’re not doing it, chances are they’re not going to do it either.

Once you’ve examined yourself, then you can ask the question, does my church love God and love people?

The loving God part is pretty easy. It’s the loving people part that some churches seem to struggle with, and it’s not always easy to see, especially if you’re on the inside.

So, let me help you out. These are a few signs that your church may not love people.

• If the church has ever turned someone away because of what they were wearing.

• If the church has ever made someone confess a sin in front of the church.

• If the church has ever made a negative comment about another church trying to reach the community.

• If there are “assigned” seats in the church.

• If the church facility isn’t kept clean.

• If the church doesn’t have someone at the door greeting people when they come in.

• If the church isn’t concerned with growing their attendance.

The list could go on and on, but you get the idea.

Churches that grow love God and love people. Churches in decline, probably love God, but they struggle to love people.

What do you think of this strategy? How can your church do a better job of showing love to people? Let us know by leaving a comment below, and while you here make sure to subscribe to the blog to get tips on church growth, leadership, and more delivered to your inbox each week.