This post on ‘How to Grow the Church: Understanding the Missional Stage’ is part of a series on Growing The Church. It looks at creating an effective small church growth strategy for churches in the Missional stage of growth.
The other posts in the series are:
The journey of a church is much like the seasons of life—dynamic, ever-changing, and full of opportunity and challenges. One of the most exciting and formative phases in a church’s life cycle is the Missional Stage. Often the starting line, this is a time marked by newness, enthusiasm, and a sense of adventure. Missional is a great word which encapsulates the main thrust of churches in this stage. If a new church can be missional, they don’t just survive, but they thrive as well.
Whether it’s a brand-new church plant embarking on its first steps or an existing congregation resetting for a fresh start, the missional stage is a vibrant season of dreaming, risk-taking, and intentional action. But while the potential is boundless, churches in this phase face unique challenges that can make or break their growth. By understanding the key characteristics of this stage, leaders can build a foundation for sustainable growth and lasting impact.
Below, we’ll explore eight defining traits of churches in the missional stage. We’ll also look at how each can help you learn how to grow the church effectively during this crucial period.
1. Strategy: Outreach
In the missional stage, outreach is the cornerstone of the church’s strategy. At this point, the focus isn’t on maintaining a congregation—it’s on building one. This means leaders and members alike are deeply invested in connecting with people outside the church walls.
Outreach strategies may take many forms, ranging from community events, charity drives, and informal gatherings to social media engagement and intentional one-on-one conversations. For new church plants, this might mean actively engaging in neighbourhoods where the church is located, attending local events, and being visible in everyday life.
One hallmark of effective outreach in this stage is its relational approach. People are far more likely to engage with a church when they feel genuinely seen and valued. Missional churches often invest significant energy in building personal relationships and establishing trust, knowing that these connections are the foundation for long-term growth.
2. Culture: Fresh Purpose and Big Dreams
There’s something uniquely compelling about the culture of a missional church. These congregations radiate a sense of fresh purpose, creating an atmosphere of hope and excitement that draws people in. It’s not uncommon for leaders and members to dream big during this stage. Envisioning a future where their church is thriving and making a significant impact on their community helps build momentum.
This sense of newness also fosters creativity. Leaders are often willing to experiment with innovative ideas, whether it’s trying a different format for services, launching a unique outreach initiative, or adopting non-traditional ways of doing ministry. People are naturally drawn to this spirit of innovation, especially those who may have felt disconnected from more traditional church experiences.
However, this hopeful culture doesn’t happen by accident. It’s cultivated intentionally by leaders who prioritise vision casting and create opportunities for the congregation to engage in meaningful ways. By anchoring their efforts in a clear sense of purpose, missional churches can inspire their members to dream boldly and work together toward a common goal.
3. Focus: Mission-Driven Action
Mission is at the heart of everything a missional church does. Unlike churches that may adopt a broader focus, missional congregations are laser-focused on their unique calling. They know exactly who they are trying to reach and why.
This clarity of mission drives intentional action. For example, a church that feels called to serve young families may prioritise creating welcoming environments for children, offering parenting resources, or hosting family-friendly events. Similarly, a church with a heart for underserved communities might focus on providing practical assistance, like food pantries or job training programmes.
Mission-driven action also means saying “no” to things that don’t align with the church’s purpose. This can be challenging, as opportunities abound, but missional churches understand that clarity and focus are key to building momentum and sustaining growth.
4. Leadership: Reliance on Volunteers
Leadership in the missional stage is often defined by a spirit of collaboration. With limited resources and small teams, these churches rely heavily on volunteer leaders to carry out the day-to-day work of ministry. Volunteers often serve in multiple roles, from leading worship to coordinating events, and their contributions are integral to the church’s success.
The senior leader plays a pivotal role in this dynamic, often acting as a hands-on mentor who directly guides and equips volunteers. This level of involvement is essential, as many volunteers may be stepping into leadership roles for the first time.
However, relying on volunteers also comes with its challenges. Without proper training and support, it’s easy for team members to feel overwhelmed or burned out. To mitigate this, leaders must prioritise creating a culture of encouragement, offering clear guidance, and celebrating the contributions of their teams. When volunteers feel valued and supported, they are more likely to stay committed and invested in the church’s mission.
5. Ministry: Focused on Weekend Services
For churches in the missional stage, the weekend service is often the central point of connection. It’s where newcomers experience the church for the first time, where members gather to worship and grow, and where the church’s mission is most visibly expressed.
Making the weekend service the best it can be doesn’t necessarily mean flashy productions or complex programmes. Instead, it’s about creating an environment that is welcoming, authentic, and aligned with the church’s mission. Strong, relevant preaching, heartfelt worship, and a clear invitation to take the next step in faith are all critical elements.
For many missional churches, this focus on the weekend service also extends to hospitality. From greeters at the door to follow-up emails after a visit, every interaction is an opportunity to make people feel valued and cared for. These touchpoints can make a lasting impression and encourage visitors to return.
6. Structure: Organic and Flexible
At this stage, structure is often minimal and informal. Without the complexities of larger churches, missional congregations operate with a degree of flexibility that allows them to adapt quickly to new opportunities and challenges.
This organic approach means that much of the organisational knowledge is held informally, often in the heads of key leaders. Communication tends to happen through word of mouth, and decisions are made collaboratively or on the fly. While this can sometimes feel chaotic, it also fosters a sense of spontaneity and responsiveness that larger, more structured organisations may struggle to replicate.
Staffing in the missional stage is typically minimal. The senior leader often works part-time or full-time, wearing multiple hats to ensure the church’s needs are met. If the budget allows, a part-time administrative staff member may assist with logistics and communication.
7. Finances: Tight but Hopeful
Finances in the missional stage are often stretched thin. Many attendees are still in the “checking things out” phase, hesitant to commit financially until they feel a stronger connection to the church. This can create significant pressure on leaders to make the most of limited resources.
Despite these challenges, missional churches are marked by a hopeful outlook. Leaders often cast a compelling vision for the future, inviting people to invest not just their money but also their time and talents. Transparent communication about the church’s financial needs and priorities can help build trust and encourage greater participation over time.
8. Growth Engine: Externalised Focus
The most effective growth engines for missional churches are connection and empowerment. When people feel personally connected to the mission of the church, they are more likely to invest their time, resources, and energy into its success.
Connection often happens through small groups, shared service opportunities, or one-on-one relationships with church leaders. These touchpoints create a sense of belonging and help people see how their individual gifts and passions can contribute to the church’s mission. Creating a community where people want to participate is key in how to grow the church.
Empowerment, on the other hand, is about equipping people to take ownership of the church’s ministries. Leaders who are intentional about delegating responsibilities and mentoring others create a culture of shared leadership, where everyone feels invested in the church’s success. If people feel they will grow in their gifts and abilities, they invest and engage. Having other leaders around maximises the chances of ministry success, which is essential in how to grow the church.
Final Thoughts on How to Grow the Church
The missional stage is a season of possibilities, marked by both excitement and challenges. By embracing its unique characteristics and staying focused on outreach, culture, mission, and connection, church leaders can lay the groundwork for sustainable growth and long-term impact.
For those seeking how to grow the church, the lessons of the missional stage are clear: dream boldly, act intentionally, and empower others to join you on the journey.
This post is part of a series on Growing The Church: The Life Cycle of A Church. The other posts in the series are:
I’ve also developed a Next Steps Navigator assessment, which will tell you what stage of the lifecycle your church is currently in, as well as give you key steps to take and things to avoid to successfully navigate your currently season. Click HERE to discover the stage of growth your church is at.
