Results 1 - 4 of 4
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Church growth measured by numbers in pew | Acts 2:41 | Mommapbs | 25004 | ||
Our congregation has been told that we need to increase the size of our facility to accomodate the projected growth of the church. Since May, we have had an increase of 20 percent in our worship services and almost 50 percent growth in the children's ministry. Is church growth measured by numbers in the pews? Many people are coming to the church, but few are coming forward. Any comments? | ||||||
2 | Church growth measured by numbers in pew | Acts 2:41 | Reformer Joe | 25005 | ||
Momma: You ask if church growth is measured by the numbers in the pews. According to human beings, that is often the case. It seems that in your case the number of people attending your church is on the rise. I don't know if basing new building construction on "projected growth" is terribly wise, however. It sounds a little like the parable of Jesus in Luke 12:16-21 where we have the guy building bigger storehouses for his grain, not knowing that his life will be taken from him. The point of the parable is in the final verse: "So is the man who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God." --Luke 12:21 So I guess the question would be whether the church is being presumptuous in whether this growth is of God (as in a true increase in numbers due to more people responding in repentance and faith to the gospel of Christ) or to people simply liking something "extra" (neat contemporary something-or-other or the fact that their ears are tickled by something any unsaved person would delight in as well). I too am in a church that has experienced a great deal of growth recently, and I praise God that it is not because of any "cosmetic changes" to the service, but apparently due to the faithful proclamation of the whole counsel of God. It isn't part of a denomination where people "come forward," but the principle is the same. The question is whether there will be as many people there in six months' time, and whether the people are there because it makes them comfortable or it makes them Christians. You are the member there, so it would be a situation your Holy-Sprit guided self can evaluate better than us. :) --Joe! |
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3 | Church growth measured by numbers in pew | Acts 2:41 | Mommapbs | 25115 | ||
Thanks Joe: Great though provoking questions, ones that I am unable to discern the answers to at the present time. The gospel is proclaimed, but I believe we have been deficient in the "whole counsel of God" aspect of teaching and training. Too much emphasis is on programs to "get them in the door." You make a good observation wondering "whether the people are there because it makes them comfortable or it makes them Christians?" I know that God's hand is on this church, but I suspect it is in a position of discipline! The leaders of the church were SO SURE of God's will and undertook a plan which now, according to the Pastor, does not appear to be God's will at all. It is frustrating; we are taking real baby steps in our walk with the Lord, but I am encouraged to see many look to Him for leading! Thanks for your insight! |
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4 | Church growth measured by numbers in pew | Acts 2:41 | Reformer Joe | 25225 | ||
Momma: I understand your situation. My wife and I had to recently leave a church for these exact reasons. The most confusing thing about the elders' decision to "contemporize" the service and movement to "felt-needs" approaches to singing and preaching is that it resulted in a DECLINE in church attendance, not an increase. Pray that your church leadership (especially your pastor) will not succumb to pride and insist on following the current course simply because the project has been undertaken thus far. --Joe! |
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