Church Growth 101 - April 24,
2001
We spend a lot of time in our churches planning ways
to bring new members into the congregation. We talk of
programs and activities, exercise classes and church
sports teams, community dinners and contemporary music. I
see nothing wrong with any of these, but sometimes our
focus can get a little off target. The church has nothing
to offer people that is not already available through
secular organizations except one thing ... God. There are
service organizations that offer meals and other help to
the community. There are fitness clubs that offer
exercise classes. Most towns have Parks and Recreation
departments that provide organized sports. With today's
technology, virtually every type of music and
entertainment is available without even leaving our
homes. Let's face it, non-churchgoing people don't need
us, but whether they realize it or not, they do need
God.
Our focus as a church should be first and foremost on
God. He should be at the core of every worship service,
fellowship opportunity and community outreach we have. If
we want people to join our churches we need give them
what they won't find anywhere else, we must make sure
they see God in everything we do. The paradox is that
there is nothing we can "do" to make God present to
others, but where hearts full of love for Him gather
together, He will make His presence known. This doesn't
start with your church congregation, it starts with you.
Is God first in your life? Is He at the core of
everything you do? That's where you must start if you
want be an effective part of your church. When you are
focused then you can help your church stay focused. Like
it or not, every church is made up of sheep that are
prone to wander. Your job may be as simple as making sure
a committee on which you serve opens meetings with
prayer. When a group discussion starts to wander off in
various directions, you may be the one to ask "What would
Jesus do?" If you are attuned to God, His Holy Spirit
will guide you in what to say and do.
Chuck Swindoll uses the phrase "contagious
Christianity." True Christianity should be contagious ...
others should see us and want what we have. If you want
your congregation to grow numerically, make sure you
focus on growing spiritually. If we allow God to run our
church services and programs, we won't have to worry
about getting people to come, we'll just have to figure
out where to put them all.
