Church Growth

In the age of stagnant mainline churches, it is tempting to believe that the natural order of church is status quo. In fact holding our own or maintenance too often becomes perceived as success in this environment.

In my early ministry, I read volumes on strategies for church growth and tried to stay current with the hottest new means for bringing more people to church. We implemented many of those concepts and were "successful" in bringing more people to church--but was that really making disciples.

As we look to the future of Christianity in general and our congregation in particular, I hope that we will use a broad definition of making disciples that includes bringing more people to church and bringing more to the people of the church. We need to challenge all people to think more deeply, to love more compassionately, to live more consistently their lives of faith. And we need to give people the tools to accomplish these things. Maybe then we can say that our congregation is experiencing church growth. Maybe then God will look at us and say, "Well done good and faithful servant(s)."

In the words of Nicole Noordeman's song "Brave" let's say together:

"So long status quo

I think I just let go

You make me want to be brave

The way it always was

Is no longer good enough

You make me want to be brave"