Church growth is stewardship

(A 2-hour-a-day plan)

Author

Jeremy G. Woods
April 29, 2025

Hey Pastor,

It’s 10:43 a.m., and you’re probably juggling sermon notes, pastoral care, and inbox overload.

Meanwhile, that dream you have—to reach more people in your local community—still feels stuck at the starting line.

You’re in the "gaining traction" phase.

You’ve seen glimpses of digital impact... now it’s about turning moments into momentum.

The Fable of the Tomato Cages 🍅
There was once a gardener who planted tomato seedlings full of hope.

At first, the plants grew fast and healthy, sprawling joyfully in every direction.

The gardener thought, “The cages can wait—right now they’re small enough to manage.”

But soon the branches tangled, sagged, and broke under their own weight.

A strong wind came, and half the harvest was lost—not because the gardener didn’t care, but because he hadn’t built early for growth.

Your version of this?
Your church’s digital presence is sprouting.

You’re posting sermons, emailing guests, updating the website.

But without a simple structure to support new growth, the effort risks collapsing when things get busy.

The real pain:
You stay faithful in the work, but results feel fragile.

Without consistent new connections, it starts to feel like you’re pouring energy into a leaky bucket.

That’s not just discouraging—it’s unsustainable.

Today’s Solution: Set Up a Simple “First Connection Path”
In just two hours this week, you can build a foundation that protects your growth for the long haul.

Here’s how:
✅ Welcome Mat: Add a “Plan Your Visit” button on your homepage (even a simple Google Form will do).
✅ Soft Landing: Write a short, friendly auto-email that invites first-time guests to coffee or lunch with a Pastor or leader.
✅ Clear Next Step: Introduce a Sunday morning slide and announcement: “New here? Scan the QR code or visit [yourchurch.com / visit].”
✅ Weekly Rhythm: Every Thursday, take 15 minutes to personally follow up with new visitors via a short text or call.

The Core Lesson:
Growth is not a surprise—it’s the natural fruit of wise preparation.

If you build the right supports now, the future harvest won’t overwhelm you... it will bless you.

Before You Go:
Reply and tell me: Where does your church most need a “growth cage” today—website, follow-up system, social media, or something else?

I’ll send you a resource you can apply this week.

Rooting for you,