Some Things that Will Need to Happen in Many Churches to See Healthy Growth in 2025

I’m just thinking out loud today about churches and the upcoming new year. Recognizing the struggles that so many churches face today, here are some things that need to happen in 2025 for these churches to experience healthy growth next year:

1. Some leaders will need to admit the brutal facts—and take responsibility. Healthy growth is not likely to happen if leaders refuse to face reality or blame everyone else when they do face facts. 
2. Some leaders will need to recommit themselves to their congregation. Leaders who have one foot in their current church and one foot in the church they want to lead won’t likely lead a church to growth. 
3. Leaders will need to get out of the “Christian bubble.” Living inside the bubble may feel safe, but it doesn’t often lead to evangelistic Great Commission growth (and, If you find yourself in the bubble, maybe this e-book I wrote a few years ago can help). 
4. Somebody will need to find zeal for evangelism. One person on fire for Jesus can begin to make a difference in a church, but somebody must lead the way. 
5. Christian husbands and fathers will need to lead their families well. That is not to negate the imperative influence of wives and mothers, but it is to call believing men to guide healthy families that lead to healthy churches. 
6. More believers will need to give sacrificially. Reaching our neighbors and the nations will require believers giving of themselves and their funds until they feel the cost – and then still trust God to meet their needs. 
7. Problematic church members will need to let go of power. It’s tough for a church to experience a powerful, life-changing move of the Holy Spirit when some leaders focus more on their own power. 
8. Some leaders will need to begin intentionally investing in making disciples. Healthy church growth often occurs person-by-person, life-by-life—and leaders who can name their disciples lead the way in Great Commission living. 
9. Leaders will need to make proactive prayer a priority in the church. Believers are to pray continually—but church leaders and congregations who pray only when they must seldom see healthy church growth. 
10. Worldly-living church leaders and members will need to repent. None of us can expect God to grow our church in a healthy way if our own lives aren’t what they should be. 

What would you add to this list?