Growing Pains

How big can a church get? How fast can it grow? What does a pastor or congregation have to do in order to get from here to there? If I had concrete answers to these questions I would indeed be a man in demand. But, if a church can grow, and if it can grow as fast as possible, and if we can really know how to get there, then we should at least start talking about it. It’s aiming high, but if we aim for the stars, we may at least hit some mountaintops.

Several months ago, I posed this question to my people during a Sunday evening service: “What changes would you have to make in your life in order for our church should become four times larger?” I had asked that question of myself months earlier. I cannot put it out of my mind. The answers are painful.

Souls . A church must be totally dedicated, sold out, and committed to soulwinning and growth. Nothing else surpasses souls in importance to the mind of our Savior. Soulwinning captures His sole purpose for coming to earth.

Sacrifice . If winning souls becomes the number one priority for a church, whatever presently occupies first place presently will have to suffer demotion. That means pain, aggravation and loss to the fleshly nature. Resistance to change is a built-in human trait.

Changing roles . Growth will force a redefinition of the roles we play as church members or saints. It’s like changing from a child to an adult, a student to an employee, a single person to a married one, or from having no children to becoming a parent. We must simply accept new responsibilities and set different goals in life. Say good-bye to comfort zones and “business as usual.”

Others . Growth means saints will no longer come to church for selfish purposes alone. They will have to see the church as a place to meet the needs of others, not just a place to get needs met. New converts need training, teaching, nurturing and love. We will have to understand and offer that help.

Relationship with God . People who want growth must strengthen their relationship with God in every area: prayer, Bible reading, consecration, discipleship and mature spirituality. Why? Because they will become patterns for others to see, leaders for others to follow, and sources of inspiration to motivate others. Like produces like. Strength begets strength. Weakness, sloppiness and “anything goes” will produce its own kind. We cannot afford quantity at the expense of quality.

Pastor-Saint relationship . How do you now see your pastor? As a primary caregiver? As the one personally involved in each member’s life? Your pastor will have to be seen as the equipper, the opportunity-provider, and the guy out in front pointing the way. This will most certainly require a new schedule, a new use of time and energy and a new pastoral definition.

Jesus said that new wine couldn’t be placed into old bottles. If it is, the old bottles will burst and the contents will be spilled out and wasted. New bottles are flexible, strong and will keep their integrity. He was teaching us that inner growth and renewal would enable us to contain the new wine of the spirit. As difficult as renewal may seem, it remains the only way to sustain the growth and revival that God has ordained for the church.

What about revivals, crusades, cell groups, outreach, evangelism, witnessing and all the other things associated with church growth? It may take any of them or all of them. But the most critical changes will have to take place first in our own minds and hearts and lives. Once that happens, there may not be a limit.