How Does A Church Grow? (Part Two)
When we talk about church growth we have to talk numbers.WHY? Because each person matters to God. At your job someone, maybe you, keeps tracks of the metrics. This is done to keep track of what is happening in your business. Every church needs to know what is happening spiritually. How many people came to Christ last weekend? How many have completed discipleship classes? Who was missing? Is anyone in the Hospital? What needs are there in our church currently? I have never been to a church where they did not count the offering at some point, why would they not count the people
At the Grace Place we count people because each person Matters! We value you.
What are the Key componants for Church Growth?
1. Committed to Jesus!
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
God did not just love, He “so loved”. He sent His only Son. He made His Son the head of the church: “And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.” (Col. 1:18)
Jesus stated His mission in Luke 19:10. Since He is the Head of the church, it follows that His mission is our mission too. For those who are committed to a personal relationship with Jesus, they are also committed to church growth. Why? Because that's our mission from our Leader.
2. A Teachable spirit and attitude.
Do you know it all? Me neither. I am learning everyday. Maintianing a teachable spirit and attitude is key to growing us personally and growing our church. I love to see people taking notes in church when the message is being given. If I am not teaching I am taking notes and actively listening so I can learn. God is trying to speak to us though the teaching/preaching. These messages are intended to change us but if we are not teachable they are just words beating against the air.
3. A Welcoming Community.
A welcoming community is actively seeking new friendships. Actively engaging the people around them. Many churches do what my wife refers to as "runway greeting". We initialy greet the new guests who attend our church but then we return to our seats, our community, our friends our comfort zone. A long time church member came to me years ago to ask about a couple. This couple had attended faithfully for over a year. Now they were MIA (missing in action). They had been missing for a month now. The member asked me: "What happened to that couple the lady with the red hair and the guy with the beard who had a little baby?" I responded: "That's what happened to them". The member looked confused and asked "What do you mean". "Well" I responded "They attended here for over a year and you still don't know their names. I am not picking on you, most of the people who attended here would not recall their name. We have to try to engage people in the community if we want them to stay. Michele and I had several meals with them and invited them to small group but beyond us they did not know anyone personally in our church."
4. Effective Leadership development.
It's the captains of 10, 50 and hundreds. I believe every person is a Leader. If we define leadership as an influencer than everyone influences someone. Some influence a small number some a large but we all make an impact on lives around us. As a leader I work hard to help develop the leaders God is bringing into our church. i want them to be able to maximize their influence for the Glory of God. Effective leaders help grow churches.