Breaking the 200 Barrier: Introducing “The Seven Tools”
Seven Values are the Vitamins that Can Grow Your Church
As a long-time church leader, pastor, coach, and writer, I’ve seen firsthand the challenges churches face when trying to grow. One of the most significant hurdles is the “200 barrier” in church attendance. It’s a real phenomenon, and it’s tough to overcome. Only about 15% of congregations in the US and Canada manage to break through this ceiling.
I’m excited to announce that my new book, “The Seven Tools,” is now finished and available on Amazon. This book isn’t a manual with tips and techniques for church growth. Instead, it focuses on something more fundamental: the core values needed for a church to grow beyond its current regular attendees.
The Story Behind “The Seven Tools”
The idea for this book came from an unexpected place. Last April, Rev. Peter Johnston, the rector of Trinity Church in Lafayette, Louisiana, invited me to a Vestry leaders retreat. The church was growing and planning to expand its sanctuary to seat over 200 people. Peter asked me a crucial question: If they built it, would people come?
Our day together was filled with rich discussions. We talked about church culture, staffing, and temperament. We explored worship and liturgy, evangelism, and worship. We talked about discipleship, management, planning, and fellowship. In preparation for this retreat, I immersed myself in articles and books about churches — those growing, those declining, and even those on a steady plateau. I was primed.
As we gathered that Saturday morning, I started the time with a heartfelt message that I believe lies at the core of church growth.
I told the group, “For your church to grow, your heart must break for the people in your community who have no Christian faith. You must feel compassion for those not connected to the body of Christ.”
I reminded them that Jesus was deeply moved when he looked at the crowds. He told his disciples the people were ‘harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.’
I don’t remember what I said exactly, but this was the sense of it: Unless your church feels that same ache inside for those who do not know the Lord, your church will not grow. It cannot. Without a sense of compassion, your members won’t invite friends. And if newcomers do attend, they won’t feel genuinely welcomed — they’ll sense they’re invading an exclusive club. They’ll feel like strangers in a strange land that we call church. Church growth starts in the heart — a heart that beats with God’s love for the lost and the lonely in your community.
What started as notes for a retreat became a series of blog posts and eventually evolved into this book. “The Seven Tools” distills years of experience and insight into seven chapters, each focusing on a crucial aspect of how and why churches grow.
In the book, I explain how these tools are the old-school, ordinary methods that will allow healthy and sustainable growth in your congregation: Compassion. Focus. Worship. Training. Small Groups. Community. Planning.
A Different Approach to Church Growth
This book isn’t about implementing new programs or following a set formula. It’s about recognizing and effectively using the resources and values already present in your congregation. Like compassion. Like worship. I list seven tools that every congregation already has.
While “The Seven Tools” grew out of my Anglican context, its principles apply to churches of all denominations. I hope this short book will help every church in the my Anglican family and beyond. Whether you’re an ordained pastor or an elected leader, this book can help you reimagine your mission to create a compassionate, loving place that practices Christian hospitality.
Early Feedback
The early responses to the book humble me. Here’s what some church leaders have said:
Our new Archbishop, Steve Wood, called “The Seven Tools” “a game changer for ACNA churches… A must-read for rectors and vestries….Roseberry’s insights don’t just promote church growth — they revitalize mission.”
Dale Chrisman, who has read everything I’ve written, wrote, “This is his best and most helpful (book). I almost ran out of yellow highlighter ink — it is loaded with that much memorable information and ideas.”
The Dean/President of Trinity Anglican Seminary, Bryan Hollon, wrote : “‘The Seven Tools’ offers a masterful guide for church leaders seeking to cultivate vibrant, growing congregations.”
Available Now on Amazon
I’m excited to announce that “The Seven Tools” is now finished and available on Amazon. At about 130 pages, it’s designed to be a concise yet comprehensive resource. It could serve as the basis for several vestry meetings, a leaders or staff retreat, or a focused exploration of a congregation’s growth potential.
I believe that every church has the potential to grow, reach more people, and make a lasting impact in their community. With “The Seven Tools,” I hope to provide a roadmap for unlocking your congregations potential, using the resources you already have.
I invite you to check out “The Seven Tools” on Amazon and see how it might help transform your approach to building a lasting, impactful congregation.
The Rev. David Roseberry, an ordained Anglican priest with over 40 years of pastoral experience, offers leadership services to pastors, churches, and Christian writers. He is an accomplished author whose books are available on Amazon. Rev. Roseberry is the Executive Director of LeaderWorks, where his work and resources can be found.
