THE PRICE OF CHURCH GROWTH

There exist two indispensable things in order for there to be church growth. They contain the necessary conditions before it is hoped that any church will grow. All the talking, planning, teaching and projects concerning church growth, would be of no profit to the church unless the Pastor, the ministers and the congregation want the church to grow and are prepared to pay the price of that growth.

There is no growing church that is not directed by a Pastor to whom God has not given a vision to grow, and whose vision is not contagious. It seem that it would be normal that every congregation would want its church to grow,  but this is not so. There are many churches that do not give priority to evangelism and to the planning for the growth of their churches. Some Pastors and churches fear growth and their implications.

However, it is not enough for the Pastor and the members to have a vision and a desire to grow. The church has to share the load of bringing new people to Christ and into fellowship with the church. After all, the Bible teaches that the church is a body and Christ the head. The Pastor is the principal  member of that body but only a member. The congregation constitutes the rest of the manifestation of the Body of Christ. If a church is to be healthy and growing, all, or at least a considerable number, should be in agreement in that the church should grow.

So in order for church growth to happen, there must be a mutual desire among the Pastor and the congregation. But this is only the beginning. Church growth doesn’t come cheap. It carries a great price, and the Pastor as well as the congregation should be prepared to pay the price. Jesus said that the wise man that builds, makes the calculations before beginning to build. The same is recommended for the church. Before proclaiming; lets grow!, it is wise to determine the price.

YOU MUST BE PREPARED TO PROVIDE MONEY FOR CHURCH GROWTH

Considering that church growth generates more money for the activities of the church, building, missions and social service, it takes time for this to happen. Meanwhile, those who are currently members of the church, have to provide the funds for growth. Generally it is not cheap.

Not all growth comes with a high price. The circumstances will vary from one situation to another, but nearly all growth carries some price marked with dollars and cents. The Pastor can do his part but the pocket books are controlled by the members. If they are not prepared to sacrifice and to open their wallets, the growth of the church will come to a stop.

YOU MUST BE WILLING TO FOLLOW THE VISION

A bitter frustration for a Pastor is when he has a vision and receives a new lease on his spiritual life, determines that God wants the church to move from its passive state, to a state of dynamic growth and the congregation doesn’t have the same vision. Such deceptions constitute the low valleys of church growth. The Pastor, like Moses finds himself in the middle of a murmuring and stubborn people.

YOU MUST BE PREPARED TO GIVE TIME AND ENERGY

Many members of an inactive and declining church are basically people who attend church  two or three hours a week. They attend church on Sundays and that's it. Some perhaps may attend Sunday School. They may add one or two weekday services per month and not much more can be expected of them.

It is not so in a growing church. While there may be a few “consumers” in every church, a great percentage of the members of a growing church are much more active they are concerned for the growth and the extension. The work of the church is no longer a nuisance. The results can be seen.

One of the areas of increased commitment of the members is the grouping of forces for growth, which is frequently recommended for an initial plan for growth. To be able to direct the church towards  new growth, a group of men and women could agree in giving 4 to 8 weekly hours for the grouping of forces for the growth for a period of a year or two. This extra energy of a dedicated group could create a surprising stride of growth in a relatively short period of time. Without it, growth will come with difficulty, or not at all.

It has been found that in most business that 20% of the people do 80% of the work. This is also true in most churches, 20% of the people do 80% of the work and give 80% of the money.

YOU MUST BE PREPARED TO SACRIFICE FELLOWSHIP

For some congregations, the increase of expenses of money and time is a very low price to pay in comparison with the discontinuance of fellowship. To many one of the pleasures of the Christian life is the fellowship with the brothers. Good friends in Christ are a true treasure that in some cases not even the family can satisfy. That is the reason that many members, unless they are compelled and inspired by church growth, hold back at this point.

The church is like an extended family, especially if they are not growing. Nobody is a stranger. If someone does not attend Sunday service somebody calls on Monday in order to find out what happened. The services are as comfortable as a family get together. There are no surprises. Many of the people sit in the same place week after week.

we will be invaded by people we don’t know.” This is a correct assumption, and it is one of the prices that is necessary to pay for church growth. If having a family type church is of more importance then reaching lost souls for Christ, your fait is sealed and the church is not going to grow. The crisis of fellowship clashes with a church that is growing when the number of worshipers begins to grow bigger in the church. The alternative, however, is to stop growing.

Although this may seem a high price to pay for growth, a greater consideration could dissipate the fear. It is said that people, Christian or non-Christian, form intimate relationships and gather with only 40 to 60 persons at the same time. Unless you are an exception, this is the number of people that you have in your circle of fellowship.

If souls are to be found and added to the church, a price has to be paid by the Pastor as well as the congregation. The first price was paid by Jesus Christ; His suffering and death on the cross. Faithful discipleship never comes cheap. Whatever the price; the reaching and multiplying, should be considered as the will of God and the calling of the church. The reward will come in the words of the Master: “Well done, My good and faithful servant.”