Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - Oct/83

Contributor - Murray Moerman

Title - Biblical Convictions

Topic - Focusing On Church Growth

When a column with a heading such as this first appears, there are bound to be questions. Is numerical church growth to be a goal of the church? Is it a "spiritual" goal? Can church growth be expected in Canada in a church with ethnic roots such as the Reformed Church?

The answer to all these questions is: "YES!".

The purpose of this column is not to debate such questions, but to offer practical suggestions for encouraging numerical church growth. Some may ask, "But is not spiritual maturity more important than numerical growth?" Yes, we strive "until we all attain ... mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ" (Eph. 4:13). Yet, we must be convinced that God also wants His church to. grow numerically.

Jesus said: "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations" (Matt. 28:18 - 19). "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses." (Acts 1:8) "God our Saviours wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth". (I Tim. 2:4) Jesus' parables (eg. the sower, the mustard seed, seed growing secretly) are full of expectation of growth. The church of Acts grew day by day (Acts 2:47), and by leaps and bounds (Acts 2:4 1, 4:4, 6:7). We may not use our Reformed doctrine of predestination to rationalize our weakness or lack of numerical growth. There may be no doubt that God wants His church to grow.

But do you want your church to grow? Sometimes outsiders are ignored or viewed as threats to the existing power structure. As New Life Community Church grew beyond its "core group" and "newcomers" became elders, some of the original core felt threatened as they observed decision-making power diluted in their hands.

Sometimes the status quo is relatively comfortable. "Who wants more divorces, single parents and other problem people muddying our waters?".

Sometimes church growth will cause building problems. "We're just about nicely full. If we had more people we would have to embark on an expensive building program." Wd need to ask ourselves, "Do we really want to grow?"

Then we need to ask ourselves: "Do we really believe that God can bring about numerical growth in our church?" Some of us are meeting in homes and schools, some in old worn buildings. Some of us are in ethnic or "changing" or Roman Catholic neighbourhoods. All of us live in hardened secular communities.

Yet Jesus promised that HE would build His church and that the gates of hell would not prevail against it (Matt. 6:18) Jesus can build His church anywhere.

Canada remains a mission environment. Only about 1 0% of your neighbours are disciples of Jesus Christ. In Russia the figure is almost identical. We do not need to go to Russia to establish churches. The challenge remains at our own door step.

Let us begin with these Biblical convictions:

1. God wants His church to grow numerically. God does not wish "that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance" (II Peter 3:9).

2. God wants your church to grow. No matter what the situation or obstacle, you are not exempt. God wants you to want your church to grow.

3. Your church can grow. Churches have sprung up in animistic cultures, ghettos and plains, under persecution and apathy; in all circumstances. Your situation will not stump the Lord. Jesus can grow His church in your back yard!

Let us seek God's heart and desire for the growth of His church where we work where! and minister.

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