Growth Plan for Calvary Lutheran Church (2025-2035)
 
“Growing Together in Christ—Building Disciples for God’s Kingdom”
 
10-Year Vision: A Thriving, Disciple-Making Church (2025-2035)

 

Introduction: At Calvary Lutheran Church, we are thankful for all that God has done in the past, and we’re excited about the future.

The Holy Spirit is calling us to take the next step in our journey with Him, committing even more to Christ and His mission (Matthew 28:19-20).

We recognize that the Holy Spirit is the ultimate designer and builder of the church, working in and through us to accomplish God’s will (1 Corinthians 3:9).  Our growth plan is divided into three stages: the next three years, five years, and ten years. We trust that the Holy Spirit will guide and correct us along the way as we move forward.

 

Three-Year Plan: Building a Strong Foundation for Growth
 
Over the next three years, our focus will be on growth that’s purposeful, lasting, and in line with our mission as a church. We’ll concentrate on five key areas:
 
 
1. Leadership Growth and Development (Ephesians 4:11-13)
    • We’ll work to strengthen our current leaders, helping them grow in their relationship with God and improve their leadership skills, aligning with the biblical model of leadership. Our focus will be on equipping them to fulfill Christ’s mission, as He calls us to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19-20).
    • Through prayer, study, and mentorship, we aim to develop leaders who serve with humility, wisdom, and a heart for the gospel, reflecting Christ’s servant leadership (Matthew 20:26-28).
    • We’ll also identify new leaders within our congregation and mentor them to take on key roles in ministry and outreach.
    • We’ll make sure there’s good communication between our leaders, so everyone is aligned with our mission (Matthew 28:19-20).2.
2. Members’ Growth and Discipleship (2 Timothy 2:2)
      • We want to create a culture of discipleship in the church, where every member is equipped to grow in their faith, serve others, and make disciples.
      • We’ll encourage each person to live as a true disciple, following Jesus’ example and fulfilling His mission.
      • We’ll provide plenty of opportunities for Bible study, prayer, and fellowship to help everyone grow spiritually.
      • Our goal is to build a strong church family where we support each other, bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2), and encourage each other in the faith (Hebrews 10:24-25).
3. Attracting, Retaining, and Assimilating New Members (Matthew 9:37-38)
        • Attracting: We will focus on reaching out to others, inviting them to join our church through welcoming services, community involvement, and a friendly atmosphere, always trusting that it is the Holy Spirit who leads and draws people to Christ.
        • Retaining: Since the Holy Spirit has a unique role and purpose for each person in the body of Christ, we will focus on helping new members feel connected and engaged, ensuring they find their place and purpose within the church community.
        • Assimilating: Following God’s design for the church, we will help new members feel welcomed and guide them into greater involvement in church life and spiritual growth.
4. Teaching Biblical Roles and Gifts in the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:4-7, 1 Peter 4:10)
          • We will emphasize that a key part of church growth is following the biblical model of roles and spiritual gifts, where leaders equip the members, and members care for and support one another.
          • Leaders are called to equip the saints for ministry (Ephesians 4:12), while every member is called to serve and use their God-given gifts to build up the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:4-7).
          • We will encourage each member to discover their gifts and find ways to serve the church and the community, understanding that every role is important in God’s plan for His church.
          • We’ll teach the importance of caring for one another, following the example of Jesus’ love for His church (John 13:34-35), and fostering a culture where members actively support each other.
5. Family, Children’s, and Youth Ministry Development (Proverbs 22:6)
            • We’ll strengthen our ministries for families, offering resources and support to help families grow together in faith.
            • We’ll focus on building up our children’s and youth ministries, making sure that the next generation is nurtured in God’s Word and equipped to live out their faith.
            • We’ll help young people grow in discipleship, leadership, and service, laying a solid foundation for their spiritual journey

This plan is designed to strengthen our church from the inside out, ensuring we’re ready to grow in a way that honors God and fulfills His mission for us. Each member has a vital part to play, and together, we’ll build up the body of Christ to reflect His love and mission in the world.

 

Five-Year Plan: Expanding Our Reach

Building upon the foundational work of the first three years, the five-year plan focuses on expansion, deeper discipleship, and partnership in mission.

1. New Campus Development (Acts 1:8)
    • Begin developing new campuses in neighboring communities such as Hannahan, Ravenel, Summerville, Goose Creek, and others.
    • Expand our presence in these areas by reaching out to the local community, meeting their needs, and offering the message of Christ.
    • Focus on multiplying the impact of the church, ensuring that each campus is equipped to disciple new believers and grow in its own unique context.
2. Education Center for Discipleship (Colossians 1:28)
    • Establish an Education Center that will serve as the hub for discipleship, equipping both new and mature believers to grow in their faith and leadership abilities.
    • Offer various classes, seminars, and workshops on Bible study, theology, spiritual disciplines, and leadership.
    • Make discipleship the heartbeat of every program and service, ensuring that everyone at Calvary is growing in their knowledge of Christ and learning to live out their faith in practical ways.
3. Partnerships with Other Bible-Believing Churches (1 Corinthians 3:9)
    • Cultivate partnerships with like-minded churches in the region, working together to expand the Kingdom of God through shared resources, prayer, and outreach.
    • Collaborate with other local churches to strengthen the body of Christ and engage in regional and global mission work.
4. Doubling Membership (Acts 2:47)
    • Implement strategic outreach efforts to double the church’s membership over the next five years through evangelism, personal invitation, and increased community engagement.
    • Encourage members to actively participate in outreach efforts and invite others to experience the love of Christ at Calvary.
5. Developing a Video/YouTube Ministry to Reach More People
 
 

 

Ten-Year Plan: A Thriving Church with Kingdom Impact

By the tenth year, we envision Calvary Lutheran Church as a thriving, disciple-making congregation with a strong biblical foundation and a visible impact on the local community and beyond. Our ten-year goals include:

1. A Thriving Church with a Discipleship Culture (Matthew 28:19-20)
    • Calvary Lutheran Church will be known for its vibrant, disciple-making culture—one where every member is actively engaged in personal growth, service, and outreach.
    • Discipleship will be woven into every aspect of church life, from worship to ministry to fellowship. Every member will be equipped to follow Jesus and make disciples of others.
2. Doing Jesus’ Work in Jesus’ Way (John 13:34-35)
    • We will continue to emphasize the importance of relational ministry, serving others as Jesus did.
    • Our outreach efforts will not be based on programs alone, but on the method of Jesus—meeting people where they are, engaging in authentic relationships, and helping them take the next step in following Him.
3. The Visible Work of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)
    • The work of the Holy Spirit will be evident in our church, as we see lives transformed by His power and fruit.
    • We will cultivate a spirit-filled environment where the gifts of the Spirit are used to edify the body and reach the lost.
4. Impacting the Community and Beyond (Matthew 5:14-16)
    • Calvary Lutheran Church will have a visible impact on our local community and beyond.
    • Through partnerships, outreach, and service, we will shine as a light to the world, bringing hope and the love of Christ to those in need.
5. Strong Family, Children’s, and Youth Ministries (Psalm 78:4-7)
    • Our family, children’s, and youth ministries will be well-established and thriving, providing a solid foundation for the next generation to grow in their faith.
    • These ministries will be an integral part of our church’s mission, ensuring that families are supported, children are discipled, and youth are empowered to lead and serve.
 

Conclusion: This growth plan represents a vision for a thriving, disciple-making church that is committed to following Jesus, building strong leaders, and impacting the world for His Kingdom. Through intentional leadership, outreach, and intentional and relational discipleship, we trust that God will lead us to new levels of growth and transformation. As we embark on this journey together, we are confident that His Holy Spirit’s presence will guide, correct, and bless our efforts, and we will see a powerful impact for His glory.