Pioneer Christian Monthly - July, 1977

Why Churches Grow
Peter J. Yff

The subject of church growth is being emphasized more and more strongly among most denominations today. Some folk think that this represents a new approach. It doesn't. The subject of growth is as old as the church is. Jesus talked about it when he affirmed: "I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it" (Matthew 16: 18). The apostle Paul, the greatest missionary described in sacred literature, spoke of it in his epistles. Paul says that growth comes from God, that the church is God's building. Then in the same breath he challenges his readers to remember that they are fellow workmen with, and for, God. (Note I Corinthians 3 :5-9).

There is, then, an intermingling of the human and the divine in church growth and life. Jesus said that he would build his church, but he indicates in the same verse that the building stones of the church are faith. Peter, with and for the disciples, had confessed a faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, the Messiah. On the rock of this faith, confessed, and demonstrated, Jesus would do ''is building. Paul's concept fits in. Let each one take care how he builds, counsels the apostle. There is only one foundation - Jesus Christ. One must build worthily.

Why is there church growth? The first, and the easiest part of the answer, is that Jesus wants it SO. It is his church, and it is his will that his gospel be proclaimed, and his church extended into all the world. The second part of the answer is harder. That's the "how".

Before any kind of church growth can take place there must be commitment. This is obvious, yet we sometimes lose sight of this truth. We wish for more members, we wish the church were stronger. Gimmicks are designed, church appeal is considered, and all the rest. Well and good, for that matter, but if there isn't commitment, before anything else, nothing significant will happen.

Out of this sense of commitment to Christ and his task there must come a feeling of urgency. It's important, no, it's essential, and moreover, there is only a limited time. Jesus challenged his followers to work while it was day, while they had opportunity. So we must be busy now, in the time God gives.

Our age makes it difficult for this sense of urgency to be communicated. We describe our society as pluralistic, that is, having many faiths and hearing many voices. The suggestion comes from several sources that any way of approach is good, so long as you have a way. The Christian must hear, and heed, the voice of his Lord who says to him, "I am the Way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except by me." (John 14:6). We have the message describing the only way. We know the need: for forgiveness, reconciliation, renewal.

Without Him we are lost. This isn't heard nearly enough in today's world.

With commitment, and because the need is urgent, there must be goals, and there must be a plan. So many of our churches fall short at this point. We conduct our services, we inspire our people, and then dismiss them with a benediction. They go home, and next Lord's day are present again. The community knows that a church service is going on, but somehow is not touched by it. We then explain that after all, it is difficult to communicate with people. We are a bit reserved. We don't talk readily about our faith. And everything goes on as before.

We need to set goals for growth and outreach, specific goals. We should realize that our excuses stand up rather poorly in contrast to the church of the first century. It had problems with its community, too - it was persecuted. Its people had to flee, to go underground, to endure imprisonment and even death. But it grew, and did so because each one talked about his faith wherever he went. The church had the kind of visibility that mattered.

With the goal there must be a plan, and there must be preparation. Developing a trained leadership core is absolutely essential. When this is done, and when a plan that has proven successful, that benefits obviously from the blessing of God on its work, is used, then things begin to happen.

People sometimes object to specific goals. They are necessary, and they are helpful. A building, after all, can be constructed only when there is a plan to follow, a plan which calls for so many bricks, for so much foundation, for so much reinforcing steel, and for so much height, and so on. The plan is very specific - it must be. We are far too vague, and consequently, far too careless in our efforts at church growth and extension. When you invite people to a party or a gathering, you need to have an advance idea of how many will come. When you invite people to come into the church's life and fellowship, to know its Redeemer, you should be thinking of numbers, and praying for God's blessing on your efforts. Let's have some aspiration, some dreams of minimum numbers of people coming in.

Some congregations have used the Good News People approach. Others have enlisted the aid of Campus Crusade and Here's Life. God has blessed both, and others as well. Which plan you use is -not nearly so important as that you employ a plan, that it spring from faith and commitment, and that it has been well thought out, well planned for, and well undergirded with prayer.

Why does the church grow? Because she responds in faith to her Lord and goes out in the power of the Holy Spirit. The formula for success is the same still: faith, commitment, goals, plan, leadership, prayer, and work. If you haven't been concerned for church growth, let it begin with you. Prepare, and plan, and get involved. God may well surprise you with how well it works.

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