Getting people to come to church is not nearly as hard keeping them. This has been a huge issue in the American Church and SpringWell is no different. Sticky Church by Larry Osborne tells the story of North Coast Church in San Diego, California and how they have successfully grown to over 8,000 in attendance in the last 25 years. The key has been averaging 80% of weekend attendance participating in Small Groups. This is their strategy to close the back door and keep people sticking around.
Osborne writes, “The most important number to know about North Coast Church is not the weekend attendance. It’s the percentage of adults who participate in one of our small groups.” I found this refreshing compared to so many other churches I hear about that are so focused on the number attending each weekend. I was also challenged as a church leader realizing the growth of SpringWell depends on getting more weekend attendees involved in Growth Groups. This is the best way for them to Stick.
Growth Groups at SpringWell are a big deal and after reading Sticky Church, I am as committed as ever at getting more attendees involved.