Biblical teaching, a compelling vision and a commitment to reaching people outside the church are key characteristics to church growth, according to a recent Evangelical Leaders Survey. The survey is a monthly poll of the board of directors of the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE).

Those polled also cited a commitment to reaching beyond their communities, including evangelism and missions work as key factors in churches that are experiencing growth.

“Some say churches must have a dynamic pastor or an engaging worship band or the best technology for them to grow,” said Leith Anderson, president of the NAE, via a media release. “But there is no one golden ticket for church growth. There are some qualities—mostly things that aren’t easy fixes—that are very common among growing churches.”

Carl Nelson, president and CEO of Transform Minnesota (formerly the Greater Minnesota Association of Evangelicals) believes biblical authority plays a significant role in churches that are growing.

“Churches that faithfully and winsomely proclaim the hope of the gospel and hold true to biblical teaching are the churches that are growing,” he said, via the release. “While not every church that upholds biblical authority is growing, it seems that very few—if any—churches that have abandoned biblical authority are seeing any conversion growth.”

The monthly poll of the NAE board of directors includes leaders from a diverse sampling of evangelical institutions, including mission organizations, publishing houses, universities and churches.