One of the greatest insights into church growth is for a pastor to fully grasp and implement what is commonly called the Law of the Harvest: “…whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Gal. 6:7). Paul then continues, “… let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Paul earlier states: “He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully” (2 Cor. 9:6). I believe these powerful truths are the greatest tool of growing churches.

Harvest is the result of planting seed. How much harvest you have is in direct proportion to how much seed you have sown. Sow much, you reap much. The key question: how much gospel seed is your church sowing each week? Each month? Each year? You need to know. Your growth depends on it.

This is why I promote the CCC (Contact Constant Consciousness) ministry so strongly. It provides you with a thermometer of sorts of how much witnessing and inviting is occurring each week. A lack of visitors and Home Bible Studies (HBS) is a symptom, not the problem. The problem is a lack of witnessing and inviting. The more your saints are “constantly conscious” of the need to make “contacts,” the more guests and HBS you will have.

Growing churches tend to have a healthy dose of holy boldness. They have soul-winning awareness. They are excited about living for God and feel the need to share their excitement with others. They have been trained regularly on how and when to witness.

Growing churches schedule a good number of evangelism events each year; often one or two every month. Last month I listed a good number of evangelism events you might consider. But for these to work you have to schedule them, promote them, raise excitement and awareness, and encourage church participation. This requires a solid evangelism plan for the coming year.

So, do you have your annual planning retreat date set? Fall is coming, and it’s best to have this event in October or November to plan the coming year. Gather all your leaders together for a brainstorming session. Discuss every department and ministry and plan evangelism events and activities for each. Make the coming year your greatest seed-sowing year ever. If we will do our part (sow the seed), He will do His part (save souls). But God is waiting on us. If we will sow the Gospel seed, He will do the rest: rain, sunshine, germination, and enabling the plant to grow strong and healthy.