What You Can—and Cannot—Control to Grow Your Church

Church leaders often look at growing churches and wonder, What are they doing that we’re not? That’s a fair question—but sometimes it leads to discouragement, especially when we compare ourselves to churches with advantages we don’t share.

That’s why I want to use Broomfield United Methodist Church—where I attend—as a case study.

I've been attending this church for about two years now, and it's a faith community I'm truly proud to be part of. The pastoral leadership is strong, the staff seems genuinely committed to the mission, and the congregation is full of kind and welcoming people.

Now that the Covid-19 pandemic is firmly in the rearview mirror, it seems churches are resettling into a more regular and predictable rhythm of attendance and participation. In this new season, Broomfield UMC does seem to be growing. On Confirmation Sunday, the church welcomed 12 confirmands. Over the past calendar year, there have been at least as many baptisms. And every other month, when new members or "partners" are added, there are usually 2-3 families and/or individuals joining.

It all got me thinking. Yes, there are clear signs of growth and vitality. But not all of that is due to strategy or hard work. Some of it comes from circumstances that no church can control. But there are also some things that pastors CAN control.

I want to explore what can and cannot be controlled in church growth, and how these factors might influence or impact growth in other contexts.

❌ What a church CANNOT control

1. Economic Demographics
Many churches serve communities marked by economic instability—where job turnover, housing insecurity, or high mobility make it difficult to build long-term relationships. In these contexts, it’s hard to create sustainable momentum because families are often in transition or stretched thin.

By contrast, Broomfield is a prosperous suburb with a median household income well over $100,000. Situated between Denver and Boulder, it serves primarily as a bedroom community for professionals. Thanks to its economic stability, Broomfield experiences far less housing transition than many neighboring cities. Once families move in, they tend to stay. This level of stability supports long-term church involvement and volunteer engagement.

2. Educational Demographics
Churches in less-educated communities may struggle to engage adults who are skeptical of institutional religion or less comfortable with theological reflection. For pastors in these settings, it often takes significant relational effort to overcome barriers of trust, communication, and perceived relevance.

Broomfield, however, is home to a highly educated population. Over 60% of adults hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. This educational profile is largely due to the area’s tech and business job market. Sociologist Ryan Burge has noted that people with advanced degrees are statistically more likely to attend church. They tend to have predictable schedules, institutional trust, and comfort with communal spaces like churches—all of which benefit Broomfield UMC.

3. Critical Mass
Small churches often face a “chicken or the egg” dilemma: without enough people, it’s hard to create momentum. And without momentum, it’s hard to attract more people. Many congregations never reach the size needed to sustain programs, fill volunteer needs, or feel “full” on Sunday morning.

Broomfield UMC, by contrast, has reached that tipping point. With consistent Sunday attendance, a range of small groups, and strong community visibility, the church enjoys critical mass. This creates a self-reinforcing dynamic: people are drawn to a place that already feels alive and well-attended. According to the Faith Communities Today 2020 survey, most churches in America average fewer than 70 people in worship. Broomfield UMC, with closer to 250, sits in the top tier nationally. Gary McIntosh calls this natural pull the “magnetism” of larger churches—and it’s clearly present here.

✅ What a Church Can Control—And So Can Yours

While Broomfield UMC has benefited from some contextual advantages, I'd argue that these alone don’t account for the church's energy and engagement. Just as important—if not more so—are the intentional choices made by pastoral and congregational leadership. These are decisions any church can pursue, regardless of ZIP code.

1. Prioritizing Youth Ministry
Youth ministry is one of the most important—yet most neglected—areas in many churches. It’s easy to under-resource this ministry when numbers are low or outcomes are hard to measure. But young people are watching: if the church doesn’t make space for them, they’ll find belonging elsewhere. Even if your church has only a few teens, start something. Don’t wait until you have numbers—create space now to attract families with teenagers.

At Broomfield UMC, youth ministry isn’t an afterthought. The church employs a youth director, an assistant leader, and allocates visible resources toward programming, including an annual confirmation class. It’s not about flashy gimmicks; it’s about presence, consistency, and care. And it’s making a difference.

2. Investing in a Preschool and Early Learning Program
Many churches ask how to connect with young families. One of the most effective answers? Start where they already are: in need of affordable, trusted childcare. A well-run preschool not only meets a practical need—it builds long-term trust and opens relational doors. Still, not every context will yield the same results. In some communities, a preschool may operate more like a rental tenant than a ministry.

At a previous church I served, the pastor did an incredible job of intentionally connecting with preschool families—offering invitations, checking in during drop-off, and making herself available. That personal touch built trust, and many of those families eventually found their way into the life of the church. Broomfield UMC’s preschool serves a similar function. Families who begin by dropping their child off for class often become curious about the church behind the program. When integrated thoughtfully, as it is at Broomfield, a preschool becomes one of the most strategic ways to build relationships with young families and open a door to spiritual exploration.

3. Staying Gospel-Centered—Even with a Progressive Bent
Churches with progressive values often face the temptation to flatten the gospel into social commentary or vague moralism. But justice without Jesus is just another nonprofit. The church’s unique gift is the message of grace, redemption, and resurrection.

When my family was searching for a church, we wanted a place that affirmed women in leadership and LGBTQ+ individuals. Broomfield UMC met those values clearly and courageously. Their inclusive posture—and their willingness to speak against Christian Nationalism—has been deeply meaningful to people coming out of more conservative churches.

Yet while Broomfield UMC could be called a progressive church, it remains gospel-centered. Sunday worship never feels like a political pep rally. The message of Jesus is consistently front and center. In a cultural moment where churches are tempted to become partisan or hollow, this balance of inclusive values and rooted gospel preaching is a model worth emulating.

While Broomfield UMC has benefited from some contextual advantages, I'd argue that these alone don’t account for the church's energy and engagement. Just as important—if not more so—are the intentional choices made by pastoral and congregational leadership. These are decisions any church can pursue, regardless of ZIP code.

Conclusion

Every church exists within a context shaped by factors that are often outside its control—local demographics, economic conditions, and cultural climate among them. It's easy to become discouraged when those realities seem to work against growth or momentum. But focusing on what you can't change only leads to burnout and stagnation.

Instead, pastors and church leaders are called to be faithful with what they can influence. You can prioritize ministry to the next generation. You can create meaningful points of connection between your church and your community. And you can keep your worship and preaching centered on the gospel. These aren't quick fixes—but over time, they shape churches that are spiritually alive and relationally engaged. Whether your church is large or small, urban or rural, the path to vitality lies not in copying someone else's context—but in faithfully stewarding your own.