How to Break Growth Barriers, Capturing Overlooked Opportunities for Church Growth by Carl F. George with Warren Bird

Breaking Through Growth Barriers in the Church

Some churches experience rapid growth, only to plateau unexpectedly. Others struggle with declining or stagnant attendance—sometimes for years. Pastors and church leaders long for strategies that foster genuine growth without adding to their already heavy burdens.

How to Break Growth Barriers presents a transformative approach: sustainable growth happens when strong leadership and empowered laypeople work together. Instead of the pastor being the sole caregiver, this model shifts the focus to equipping and coaching members to become ministers themselves. The book guides leaders in casting a compelling vision and then leading their congregations toward the mindsets needed for breakthrough growth.

Rooted in timeless biblical principles of “harvest,” the book’s proven strategies have been updated for today’s cultural context. Practical tools—including self-assessment charts and checklists—help leaders evaluate their progress and implement changes effectively.