Is Transfer Growth a Cause for Rejoicing?

Churches grow through bilogical growth (couples having babies). I love babies! Being a father is one of the joys of my life. It's a wonderful thing when a church is populated by lots of vibrant, delightful children. Bring it on!

Churches grow through conversion growth. Lost sinners coming to Christ. Fantastic! A cause for rejoicing!

Then churches grow through transfer growth: Christians joining the church because they've moved from interstate, become dissatisfied with a previous church, or other reasons.

I have a question. Is transfer growth a cause for rejoicing?

Well, it can be a blessing. When people join a church and are keen Christians, willing to serve, and enthusiastic to attend prayer meetings and help at Working Bees - that's great! They may even become leaders in the church.

But transfer growth can also be problematic. People may bring "baggage" with them and even have caused problems in their previous church. But there's another issue that we do well to consider:

Transfer growth can be a smokescreen that hides the fact that a church is not going well.
ie. A church increases from 50 to 80 through transfer growth, AND THAT HIDES THE FACT THAT THE CHURCH HAS NOT SEEN ONE SINNER COME TO CHRIST IN FIVE YEARS. The transfer growth gives the appearance of growth, but it is merely a case of sheep switching paddocks. Church leaders may have a sense of satisfaction that there are more people on seats on Sundays and even boast of "growth." But is it growth?

Is your church growing through conversion growth? Is mine?

Is transfer growth a cause for rejoicing?