In a recent post on his blog, New York Times best-selling author and Texas-based pastor Ed Young Jr. addresses the release of Outreach Magazine’s annual “100 Fastest-Growing Churches” issue. While admiring the publication, Ed Young notes that the ranking has the potential to cause envy and doubt among church leaders who don’t make it on the list. He urges fellow pastors not to become discouraged by attendance number comparisons and instead consider more qualitative methods of measuring church growth.

2.  In a recent post on his blog, New York Times
best-selling author and Texas-based pastor Ed
Young Jr. addresses the release of Outreach
Magazine’s annual “100 Fastest-Growing
Churches” issue. While admiring the
publication, Ed Young notes that the ranking
has the potential to cause envy and doubt
among church leaders who don’t make it on
the list. He urges fellow pastors not to become
discouraged by attendance number
comparisons and instead consider more
qualitative methods of measuring church
growth.

3.  Ed Young encourages pastors to base their
effectiveness on their ability to reach individuals and
help them build personal relationships with God. He
states that they should consider whom they are
reaching rather than focusing on congregation size,
stressing the importance of serving not only lifelong
followers of Christ, but also those in the early stages of
their spiritual journeys. Pastors might consider such
factors as tithing, baptisms, and service to the
community when reflecting on their true impact.
Additionally, Ed Young stresses that focusing on
outreach rather than attendance number
comparisons helps churches preserve their
individuality.