which is more important, church growth or spiritual growth?

both are equally important.  the reality is this - how can you have spiritual growth without number growth?  you can't.  you need numbers to help people develop in their walk.  the problem, I believe, comes from our desire to do "either/or."  yet my postmodern mind - as twisted as it is - desires to do "both/and."  if we do just one we can get one of two kinds of churches:

the "aquarium church" where growth only comes from other church,  these churches tend to have a "we are right" attitude.  they see their responsibility as one of "growing" only, and they are critical of the churches that are growing.

the "phallic symbol church" where growth is the center.  these churches go around thinking they have all the answers because they are growing.

what we need to remember is that we need a balance between both growths.  when we are truly growing spiritually, we share our faith with others and when we are sharing our faith, we are growing the kingdom.

blessings,

john