I was reading a blog today about church growth and how mega-churches sometimes explode when the "big guy", see pastor, leaves abruptly. A statement was made
"When it's not something planned, it's a good sign something really good is being done there. When it's the direct result of planning, if monster growth was the main point from the start, I have serious doubts about the eternal value of what happens there."
I like what that statement is saying although I don't completely agree with it. What I am reading out of this is we should consider our motives as to why and how we plan church growth. I don't think God stops blessing churches that plan for growth. On the contrary I think if our attitude is to see Jesus be glorified, then we should plan for growth.
My church is not a large church by any stretch of the imagination. But the whole reason I am even writing about this is because I too have succumb to the "my church can be big too" pursuit. I have had visions of grandeur. People congratulating me for having a big church, getting speaking invites, writing a book or two. But man that above statement nails me to the wall.
I think God can be honored through plans of growth for the church that is about lifting Jesus higher. Like John the Baptist said, "I must decrease and he must increase." What a statement. My plans for growth, although good, must take a back seat to God's glory. Not mine. It must be all about God. Rick Warren said it best in the Purpose Driven Life, "It's not about you". Man does my human nature want it to be.
I remember in Bible college our Dean used to say, "There are four G's in ministry that must be avoided: God's glory, the gold, the girls/guys, and the glitter. But how attractive are those things when it comes down to growing a church. They are very powerful temptations.
Again I say that statement above is good but it is not complete. Because sometimes it is dumb luck that things happen, and I don't believe in luck. When I drive a car, I make plans as to where I am going otherwise I will end up somewhere I don't want to be. I don't get in and say "Ok, car take me where ever because that is where I am going". No one in their right mind would say that.
Also God didn't just one day turn around and BANG, the heavens and earth were there as if He didn't plan it. God planned everything that is in exsistence. Even our lives. So why shouldn't we have plans to see His church grow?
But maybe I am reading into the above statement too much. If it really is saying that we should weigh our motives than I am on board with that and sorely need to re-evaluate why I do what I am doing and where I am leading the church. Is it down a road for my glory or for God's glory? I hope it is His.
"When it's not something planned, it's a good sign something really good is being done there. When it's the direct result of planning, if monster growth was the main point from the start, I have serious doubts about the eternal value of what happens there."
I like what that statement is saying although I don't completely agree with it. What I am reading out of this is we should consider our motives as to why and how we plan church growth. I don't think God stops blessing churches that plan for growth. On the contrary I think if our attitude is to see Jesus be glorified, then we should plan for growth.
My church is not a large church by any stretch of the imagination. But the whole reason I am even writing about this is because I too have succumb to the "my church can be big too" pursuit. I have had visions of grandeur. People congratulating me for having a big church, getting speaking invites, writing a book or two. But man that above statement nails me to the wall.
I think God can be honored through plans of growth for the church that is about lifting Jesus higher. Like John the Baptist said, "I must decrease and he must increase." What a statement. My plans for growth, although good, must take a back seat to God's glory. Not mine. It must be all about God. Rick Warren said it best in the Purpose Driven Life, "It's not about you". Man does my human nature want it to be.
I remember in Bible college our Dean used to say, "There are four G's in ministry that must be avoided: God's glory, the gold, the girls/guys, and the glitter. But how attractive are those things when it comes down to growing a church. They are very powerful temptations.
Again I say that statement above is good but it is not complete. Because sometimes it is dumb luck that things happen, and I don't believe in luck. When I drive a car, I make plans as to where I am going otherwise I will end up somewhere I don't want to be. I don't get in and say "Ok, car take me where ever because that is where I am going". No one in their right mind would say that.
Also God didn't just one day turn around and BANG, the heavens and earth were there as if He didn't plan it. God planned everything that is in exsistence. Even our lives. So why shouldn't we have plans to see His church grow?
But maybe I am reading into the above statement too much. If it really is saying that we should weigh our motives than I am on board with that and sorely need to re-evaluate why I do what I am doing and where I am leading the church. Is it down a road for my glory or for God's glory? I hope it is His.
Comments