Big Idea:
Just like people and organizations, churches go through life stages—from birth and growth to maturity and potential decline. Wise leaders recognize the season their church is in and lead accordingly to move toward health, vitality, and Spirit-led sustainability.
Lesson Objectives:
By the end of this session, you will:
- Understand the stages in the life cycle of a church.
- Identify the signs of growth, health, decline, and plateau.
- Learn the key leadership focuses for each stage.
- Create a strategy for keeping their church in or moving toward sustained health.
Core Scripture:
“From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”
— Ephesians 4:16“To everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.”
— Ecclesiastes 3:1
Teaching Outline:
1. Introduction to the Life Cycle Concept
Teaching Point:
Churches, like living organisms, have a beginning, middle, and potential end. But unlike most organizations, churches can be redeemed and revitalized when Spirit-led leaders recognize their season and respond with bold, prayerful strategy.
- Growth
- Prime
- Aging
- Redevelopment
Each stage is marked by the interaction of four elements:
- V = Vision / Leadership / Mission / Core Values
- R = Relationships / Discipleship / Experience
- P = Programs / Ministries / Services
- M = Management / Systems / Resources
2. The Stages of Growth and Vitality
Walk through the early stages:
Birth & Launch (VrpM):
- High vision, low structure.
- Often driven by a passionate leader or team.
- Programs are simple or emerging.
Infancy → Childhood → Adolescence (VrPm → VRPm):
- Vision and relationships dominate.
- Momentum builds.
- Systems are forming.
- Danger: Outgrowing capacity without structure.
Momentum Growth → Strategic Growth (VRPM):
- All four elements are present.
- Balance is emerging.
- Team building and delegation become key.
3. The Prime Season
Sustained Health (vRPM):
- Vision is steady, though slightly reduced (v).
- Programs are strong and support mission.
- Systems and relationships are in sync.
Teaching Point:
This is the sweet spot of church life.
The focus should be on reproduction, discipleship, and raising new leaders.
Warning Signs:
- If vision fades or becomes unclear…
- If relationships weaken…
- If management overtakes mission…
You begin the decline slope.
4. The Aging Stages and Decline
Maturity → Maintenance → Preservation → Life Support:
- The church may still function well, but fruitfulness is decreasing.
- High structure, but low vision and spiritual passion.
- Staff and systems may remain, but mission feels distant.
- Common phrases: “We’ve always done it this way.” “We don’t want to change too much.”
Life Support (vrPM):
- The church may be operating in name, but spiritual vitality is gone.
- Often dependent on legacy giving, a few key volunteers.
- Risk of spiritual death unless drastic change occurs.
5. The Hope of Redevelopment
Redevelopment:
- Begins when leaders courageously admit the truth.
- Requires:
- Re-centering on vision and mission
- Renewing spiritual passion
- Often includes letting go of old models
- Risky decisions, re-planting mentality
Key Insight:
Churches don’t need to die—they need to be reborn.
God is in the business of resurrection.
6. Application and Action
Group Discussion:
- What stage is your church in?
- What fruit, challenges, or signs helped you determine that?
Personal Reflection Questions:
- What elements (V, R, P, M) are strongest in our church right now?
- Which elements need revitalization?
- What bold decisions or conversations are needed to return to health?
Action Step:
Develop a leadership conversation or board presentation that clearly outlines the season your church is in and the steps needed to move forward.
Optional Bonus Assignment:
Have your team score your church on each of the four elements (V, R, P, M) on a scale of 1–10. Plot the results and compare them to the lifecycle chart.