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More than 3,000 church leaders and volunteers flocked to Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Ky., recently to get the inside scoop on the church's success. What they found might have surprised them.

Rather than touting programs or recent fads, Southeast's staff is quick to give God all the glory. The secret to the church's success, says pastor Bob Russell, is being submissive to God's will and allowing Him to build the church.

A look at Southeast Southeast Christian Church, a nondenominational congregation of more than 16,700 regular worship attendees in Louisville, Ky., is one of America's largest churches. Thousands flock to Southeast's Leadership Conference each year looking for insight into growing their own churches. Southeast pastor Bob Russell shares 10 principles for growing a dynamic church in his book "When God Builds a Church." Proclaim God's Word as truth and apply it to people's lives Worship God every week in spirit and truth Develop Christ-centered leaders who lead by example Do your best in every area of service Be willing to step out with a bold faith and take risks Maintain a spirit of harmony Expect the congregation to participate in every ministry Continually practice agape love for one another Give generously of God's resources as a church and as individuals Commit enthusiastically to evangelism as your primary mission

Southeast has grown from 50 members to more than 22,000 during the last 40 years, with more than 16,700 regular attendees in weekend worship services. More than the numbers, though, attendees at Southeast's 2002 Leadership Conference Oct. 16-19 couldn't help but be impressed by even the simplest of gestures.

A sea of smiling volunteers was waiting, with doors open, to welcome the visitors. Countless people were commenting on the yellow smiley-face stickers worn by greeters, who donned the same cheerful grins. In a bit of whimsy, conference materials were enveloped in bright yellow, mock toolboxes to match the theme, "Building the Church."

Few first-time visitors would realize that the church's preparedness for the conference mimics its dedication and thoroughness in its regular ministry. Southeast is a church of high expectations, determined to give God -- and all visitors -- its best.

Striving for excellence

Perhaps I'm a bit biased since Southeast is in my home community. While I attend another church, several co-workers worship at Southeast. And Church Central's president, Thom Rainer -- a leading church consultant and dean of the Billy Graham School of Missions, Evangelism and Church Growth -- often cites Southeast as a prime example of healthy churches.

What have most influenced my opinions of Southeast, though, are practical experiences. I first visited Southeast four years ago out of curiosity. I had watched the church's current 105-acre campus go from a wooded lot to a $78 million, state-of-the-art facility as I passed by on nearby highways. Something big was going on inside that church, and I wanted to see for myself what it was.

I was immediately humbled. As big as it is, Southeast felt more comforting and more like home to me than many small churches I've visited. I later heard pastor Bob Russell describe the church's motto: excellence without extravagance.

There is nothing extravagant about Southeast. The building is large and well-done, but not ornate. The congregation moves about like a city of its own, but members are friendly, reaching out for personal relationships rather than hiding in the masses.

For those searching for more specifics about what makes Southeast special, I can offer nothing but to say you have to experience it for yourself. There is no program I can pinpoint, no particular sermon or community outreach effort I can credit. It's actually much simpler than all that: God is in the building, in the leadership and in the congregation at Southeast Christian Church.

Giving glory to God

As Rainer pointed out in his foreward to Russell's book "When God Builds a Church," Southeast stands out among the thousands of churches in North America.

"Many times I will note a church's dynamic leadership, its wonderful organization or its impressive array of ministries," Rainer wrote. "But when I finished reading ‘When God Builds a Church,' I did not think as much about the greatness of the church as I did the greatness of the God who built it."

For those who weren't able to attend Southeast's Leadership Conference, ChurchCentral.com will share some of the interesting insights in future stories. For anyone who is interested in building your church to glorify God, Russell's "When God Builds a Church" is a must have on your bookshelves.

"Read this book for instruction. Read this book for edification," Rainer says. "Read this book to understand the timeless principles God uses to build a church. But above all, read this book to be reminded of the magnificent God who builds churches and changes lives."