Here’s a recent question that the CLI team answered for a fellow pastor:

Q: In listening to you refer to the various growth barriers that churches face, I wasn’t sure which barrier we are currently contending with, and I was hoping for your opinion.

Our average weekend attendance in 2009 is 295. Does that mean we should work on the growth barriers for 500?

The reason I am curious about this, is because we have still had a couple weeks where we dipped well below 250 (198 and 215).

Are these two weekends indicative of still needing to get past the 250 barrier or should I focus on the specific aspects to break through the 500 barrier?

Thank you for taking the time to answer this question.

A: Thanks for your question.  We encourage Pastors to evaluate their attendance based on adult attendance.

So, if your adult attendance is 298, then you are on the verge of breaking the 250 barrier (consistently) and then you’ll want to set goals to break the 500 barrier. If 298 includes kids, then you’re at the 250 barrier and will want to set goals to break 250.

It’s not uncommon to experience dips like you mentioned due to vacations, seasons and other factors. The ultimate goal is to make your highest attendance record become your average attendance number.

Don’t let the low days pull you back. Instead press forward consistently setting your goal upon your highest attendance record.

It sounds like God is doing some great things in His church. Keep pressing on!

Thanks for letting us partner with you in ministry.

P.S. A great resource for breaking growth barriers is The Growth Barriers Workshop, which outlines the 9 most common growth barriers that all churches face, regardless of size.  Here’s the link:
https://nelsonsearcy.infusionsoft.com/cart/store.jsp?view=4&i=p281&navicat=47