Church growth comes from three sources: transfer growth, biological growth or conversions.
Numeric Growth Resulting from Transfers from Other Congregations: Church Growth in post-modern America often comes from transfer growth from other churches. When people move from one city or area to another, it is natural for them to find a new church. When someone relocates, this is good transfer growth. Transfer growth is less desirable when it is merely the movement of Christians from one gospel believing church to another, but each story is different. Particular moves may be necessary and good but capitalizing on transfer from other local congregations may provide vitality to the gaining congregation, but not expand the Kingdom of God. For a new church or a church seeking to revitalize, gaining transfer growth is a good place to build to the congregation. Transfer growth means that gaining congregation is conserving the discipleship efforts of a sister church which they may or may not know. Transfer growth means welcoming into the congrega...