I've been threatening to write this for a while now. Guess I have kinda felt guilty, it seems that the moment one mentions growing his or her church that people begin to label them and call them names. Oh well, at least Rudolph got to lead Santa's sleigh that night.
Millions of people (believers) think that local churches SHOULD remain small, and more than that, feel like it is Gods will. I personally believe that this lack of aggressiveness towards growing your church is because so many leaders have forgotten the number one purpose of the church. We're here to win souls. Get people born again, saved, help them to accept Christ. We literally are here to make it VERY hard for anyone we meet to leave this earth and go to a place called hell.
Okay, let's skip all the opinions, and excuses and let's look at some scriptures.
In the book of Acts, (which I believe is still being written), we see a church literally being launched and notice the emphasis placed on the amount of growth.
41Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. Acts 2:41 Also in verse 47, And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
Let's continue on to chapter 4.
4 However, many of those who heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to be about 5000. Acts 4:4
Same chapter, verse 32
32 Now the MULTITUDE of those who believed
Chapter 5
14 And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women.
Chapter 6
7 Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith
I think you get the idea here. Now, lets look at some scripture that will give us an idea of what Jesus' view will look like around the end of this age.
Revelation Chapter 7
9After these things I looked, and behold a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, (Jesus), clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, saying, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!"
I believe this last verse says it all. Imagine if all churches got on the ball and began to be intentional with outreach and church growth? We could literally be a part of the ones who are making that future verse become a reality. And that my friend, brings me much peace every time I get accused of just trying to have a big church. Of course I am. Large churches are large with people whose lives have been changed with the power of the gospel, and.....isn't that the reason we are here?
Just saying...
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