Brady Cooper is the pastor of New Vision in Murfreesboro, TN. Brady and I recently met at The Standard, a restaurant in downtown Nashville and had a little too much fun.

But that was not the first time I had seen Brady. He was on the staff of my church before he went to New Vision. And, I first saw Brady speak during an unusual Sunday morning memorial service there at the church.

When Glenn Weakly died, Brady came back to speak at his memorial... and did a great job. You see, he is not just a former staff member, he is the former pastor's son-in-law. It made the memorial service even more meaningful to learn of their connection.

Brady asked me to speak at New Vision recently and though I could not pull it off-- but I hope to soon. Of course, I will now be a little intimidated becuase of his comment below about guest speakers.

Five years ago New Vision averaged 400 in attendance; today they average 2,500 people in four worship services. Last year the church grew by 700 people, or 37%, and was #52 on Fastest Growing List.

What's happening at New Vision? Simplification and evangelism.

LifeWay Research had a chance to talk with Brady about the growth of New Vision and what he believes was instrumental.

LifeWay Research: Is it true that for the last five years New Vision has experienced 40% annual growth?

Brady: Yes that is close. We were averaging about 400 in attendance five years ago and today we are at about 2500

LWR: What is the team at New Vision doing that has caused such growth?

Brady: There are a couple of things. First of all our location is good because the community surrounding us is growing. Secondly we have cut down on some of our programming so that we could perfect other areas of our ministry. For example, we have dropped our Sunday night worship and have focused on just one weekend worship service. We have really tried to be intentional by creating an environment where the members of New Vision are comfortable bringing their un-churched friends.

LWR: What expectations do you place on members of New Vision?

Brady: We want people to worship, to experience being a part of a group, and to give in ministry or to serve

LWR: If these are the expectations what are opportunities are being offered to members?

Brady: Our staff is constantly scheduling appointments and meeting with people to encourage and help them go to the next level. This could be helping them come to know the Lord or helping them become involved in the ministry. We do not have a great assimilation process other than our ministerial staff helping people get plugged into the ministry.

LWR: How is New Vision involved in the community?

Brady: Last year we had about 200 people become involved in short term mission trips. In the local community once a quarter we do a community outreach event where we take part in different service projects such as handing out rolls of quarters at the local dry cleaners or we will work with Habitat.

Usually each community event will have seven or eight different options in which people can become involved and the event takes place on a Saturday four times a year. We also have other ministries going on in the inner city. Some of the members of New Vision are African American. We have partnered with them in their community doing things such as an after school program. We are also involved in planting a church in the Dominican which has excited our members.

LWR: New Vision has a lot happening within the church walls and in the world around them. What number of people have you baptized this year?

Brady: From January to today we are right at 200 baptisms. In one day this summer we baptized 120 people which was a big push for us. Before this baptismal service all of our ministries with our youth, Bible school, and our week of prayer and fasting was coming to a close. We also see fruit from our evangelism strategy. We call our strategy the "as you go evangelism strategy."

The strategy encourages every member to have at least one person that they are praying for and developing a relationship which allows them to share Christ. Because of these things we baptized 120 people which was the highlight of our summer.

LWR: Brody what advice would you give to pastors in churches that were plateaued or declining on the subject of church growth?

Brady: I would probably look at taking some of the people that I had relationships with and that wanted to see the church grow and I would really begin to invest in these individuals. I would not bring the subject so much to the pulpit or try and butt heads with those that do not want to change but I would really try and invest in a sort grass roots level with those people that want to grow and allow them to carry the vision to the masses.

I also think pastors and staff should over think and really plan out the weekend service so that the people get the best offering we have. I also think that the weekend services should continue to flow. We try not to take any weeks off at New Vision. I was on vacation with my family this summer and we went to a church and they had brought a missionary speaker in to fill the pulpit. This was fine but I felt that the gentlemen was not a great communicator and he rambled on about forty-five minutes which as a guest did not appeal to me.

You have one chance to reach a visitor. I think excellence breeds excellence and growth.

LWR: What other issues do you feel are important to the church?

Brady: I think staffing is important. At New Vision we try to be slow to hire and quick to make changes. I would not use the word fire, but I think sometimes a lot of churches have staff members that are great guys or great gals but they just don't share the vision. They don't have a passion for growth and there isn't strong accountability sometimes on church staff. Keeping this in mind we have made a lot of in different ministry areas that just weren't growing and that has created a real different environment for our staff. Our staff knows what is expected. There is not a sense of fear but they realize that this is a high calling that requires time and energy. A church should not be afraid to make changes.

Often times I will take note of a pastor I think will grow in impact and influcence. I think Brady is one of those pastors.