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This material is from Dr. Weston's book, The Seven Laws of Seven, and are being reproduced here for local pastors.
One law will be added each month over the next seven months. See the links at the right to view each chapter. Check back monthly for the others.
Introduction
A lot has been said and written about growing churches and dying congregations. But in some instances, it might be easier for an ant to carry off an elephant than for an average pastor to wade through all the material on this subject. And after wading through it, the pastor still has to decide which of this information is pertinent to his congregation. If, in his infinite wisdom, he determines that he has to do something, he most often will decide on the first idea that he finds.
In some cases, the pastor might happen on a strategy that works for a season. But because it has no support structure, it quickly loses its effectiveness and is abandoned along the highway of “hollowness." The pastor is then quick to claim “Church growth strategy just does not work for us,” or “We’ve tried this stuff and it doesn’t last.” One cannot help sympathizing with the frustrated pastor.
Church growth, if not done in a solid, systematic order often collapses. Like every thing in life, a sound foundation must be laid to support the structure. It is establishing that sound foundation that is so difficult. What do we mean by a sound foundation?” Paul in 1 Corinthians 3:11 reminds us that Christ is the one who lays the foundation. However, in verse 10 Paul states that he, Paul, laid the Corinthian foundation. Herein lies our problem, for it is Christ who lays the foundation and it is also the pastor who is involved in laying the foundation.
The pastor must find out what foundation the lord would have him lay and what needs to be done to do this. While this question may sound exasperating to the already frustrated pastor, it is not so overwhelming if you follow a systematic plan at this point. Overlooking the basic steps or ignoring a step will also cause problems. It is better to under take a step halfheartedly than not to take it at all.
As a pastor for over twenty years and one who has taught church growth for the last eight years, I would like to relate my own frustration with implementing church growth. I first studied this subject in seminary while pastoring a small missions church. With great eagerness I tried everything I learned. I eventually came to the conclusion that those who thought up these wonderful ideas were sitting in a seminary or denominational headquarters office and had little or no experience in pastoring a church. I felt they really had no concept of the real world of the pastor. What did they know about the pastor’s church reports, denomination reports and goals, or all the meetings the pastor had to attend. What did they know about sermon preparations week after week after week or the never-ending people problems?
Many of these programs from church growth experts were nothing more than soap bubbles. They were attractive at the onset but in the end the bubbles would burst and you would find yourself back where you started--just a little more tired and energy-deficient. However, as I started experimenting and teaching some ideas, it became apparent, that there had to be some order to installing steps for growth. Just as in installing a computer program, you have to start at the right point or the inevitable “error” sign appears. It would be so liberating if a black and white sign would appear in the sky whenever a pastor makes the wrong move or if handwriting appeared on a wall. Because I want to try to eliminate much frustration and exasperation, I share with you what I call “the seven laws of seven.”
To make this program effective, you must deal with each law even if you do not completely install it. The first law is the most important and should be pursued constantly. As a pastor I assigned gifted individuals over each of these laws. I also tried not to give more than two responsibilities to any one person. Let me emphasize again that these are the steps to follow (in this order) to avoid the “error” sign. The pastor does not have to do every item within each law but he must do as much as time and resources make possible. The church should constantly strive to accomplish one or two of the main points of each law and then steer towards their completion.
The first law of seven is the law of seven impressions that once employed will locate the people the church needs to reach. From where does the church gather its congregation? Who should the church target? How does the church target and find leads? What about a prospect list? Which is better, media advertising or direct mail? And if media, which media? Is telemarketing attracting or attacking prospects? The church will have to answer these questions sooner or later, so we will be discussing them in one of the following chapters.
The second law deals with how the church retains the people who visit. This is called the law of seven touches. Having learned the target audience from putting the first law into practice, the church must now determine how to reach them. Should the church use many choruses or hymns or both? What style sermons will appeal to this audience? Will a well-structured message reach any crowd? What type of reception will make visitors want to return? We will expound upon all of these in the section on the law of seven touches.
The law of seven contacts is the third law. It deals with how to keep the people coming back. It wrestles with the church’s constant dilemma on whether or not any type of visitation is effective in today’s busy society? Is the church to concentrate on Sunday School or on home cells? Why should a church not strive to do both? Which is more effective: a letter from the pastor or a letter from the laity? There is much more we will consider in this section.
The fourth law shows how to tie people into the church and is called the law of seven friends. Should the church encourage new believers to remain in the world so that they can win their friends or to separate themselves from the world? Which is better: friendship evangelism, lifestyle evangelism or confrontational evangelism? Why does the church need a pastor’s class and for whom? Does the pastor have to teach it? What should the pastor teach?
The fifth law helps the pastor mature the congregation as a Christian body and individually. It is entitled the law of seven weeks to assimilate leaders. It addresses questions like: Why are there never enough Sunday School teachers, deacons and other leaders in today’s church? Is spiritual gifting more or less important than personality types if the church's concern lies in a person's personality when it comes to involving them. Why all of this psychology stuff anyway?
The sixth law, the law of seven prospects, enables the pastor to implement programs that will help the church fulfill its mission. What has God really called the church to do if the average church only wins one soul a year? What does God expect the church to be "producing?" What is wrong when the average church yields such poor results?
The seventh and final law of seven, the law of seven months, is the ultimate law of a church's success. At the end of seven months the church will know how successful it has been with assimilating visitors. Does being saved mean that there is a level of commitment to the church as well as giving your heart to God? Is the Great Commission winning souls or making disciples? Who is responsible for the discipling process, the one sent or the one believing?
Some might ask, “Why bother with all these laws? Can’t a pastor simply do the best he can and trust God to help him?” The answer is amazingly plain. Jesus taught His disciples and then told them to teach others. Paul taught Timothy (See 2 Timothy 2). I have found that pastors must understand and put in practice these laws or they will be defeated and the church will be defeated, also. The intent of this writing is to avoid this scenario and to help both the pastor and church use these laws to build God’s kingdom.
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