Most pastors never say it out loud-but many feel it deeply.
When did church growth stop being a blessing and start feeling like a burden?
When did numbers begin to define faithfulness?
And who decided that size determines success?
In When Growth Becomes a Burden, veteran pastor and bishop Antonio M. Palmer addresses the quiet pressure pastors carry-especially those leading churches under 100 members in a ministry culture obsessed with metrics, visibility, and comparison.
Drawing from over 30 years of pastoral ministry and his current role as a bishop and spiritual father to more than 80 churches, Palmer offers a timely, biblical, and deeply pastoral re-examination of church growth-one rooted not in trends, but in Scripture, wisdom, and lived experience.
This is not a book against growth.
It is a book against false measures of success.
Inside This Book, You'll Discover:
Why numerical size has never been Jesus' primary metric for evaluating His church What the seven churches of Revelation reveal about faithfulness, health, and obedience How the early church actually grew-and why modern models often miss the point The hidden strengths of small and mid-sized churches that are frequently overlooked Common church ""shenanigans"" that sabotage healthy growth and burn out pastors The difference between quality and quantity-and why discipleship must come first How pastors can pursue healthy, Spirit-led growth without pressure to perform or compare
Written for Pastors Who Are:
Faithful but discouraged Tired of comparison culture Leading churches that don't fit the megachurch mold Seeking biblical clarity instead of borrowed strategies Longing to finish ministry faithful-not famous
Palmer writes not as a critic, consultant, or celebrity pastor-but as a shepherd who understands the weight of ministry and the cost of obedience. His voice is seasoned, compassionate, and clear, offering both encouragement and correction without condemnation.
By:
Dr Antonio M Palmer Imprint: Kingdom Publishing Dimensions:
Height: 216mm,
Width: 140mm,
Spine: 11mm
Weight: 254g ISBN:9781967006243 ISBN 10: 1967006245 Pages: 160 Publication Date:02 February 2026 Audience:
General/trade
,
ELT Advanced
Format:Paperback Publisher's Status: Active
