Feb 21, My conclusion on church growth
I've read a lot of books on church planting. I have attended countless conferences on church planting and church growth. Listened to some of the most influential Pastors in America on the church growth and I've come to a conclusion. You may disagree with me and that's alright, this is just my opinion. Before sharing my conclusion let me ask a question. Does God the Father want every one of His churches to fulfill The Great Commission? My thoughts are 110% yes. Then why is only 10% of American churches experiencing some type of growth? I'm talking about growth through people coming to know Christ and not just swapping people. Here we go, my conclusion on church growth and why so many churches aren't reaching that many souls for Christ.
Three things:
1. A vision straight from the heart of God placed into the heart of the Pastor.
So many times people get mad about (pick something) and try to start a church and it never was God's will. We see them start up around here on a regular basis. Many churches have A LOT of people who want their vision for the church to be "THE VISION." If a church doesn't know what its trying to do how can it ever accomplish anything? I've asked numerous Pastors what their vision for the church was and they didn't know. When a man of God has a vision straight from the Hand of God it is a powerful thing. And that Pastor has to be willing to fight for that vision because a lot of people will try to hijack it.
2. The Pastor has to have the gift of teaching.
I'm serious. Teaching God's Word is a very serious matter and if your going to stand before people you better be called by God to do it. If you've been around me any length of time you know I don't think I'm that good of a public communicator. But I know I've been called by God to teach His Word. I've been in so many churches where the teaching pastor was awful. He was a good man but just couldn't teach. Been in many Sunday School classes with the same problem. good people but put you to sleep by reading from the quarterly.
3. The Pastor has to be a great leader
I'm convinced this is the number one problem in the American church, lack of leadership. What the majority of people never know about people like Perry Noble, Andy Stanley, Mark Batterson (and many others) is the level of their leadership gifts.
So, I want to share some of my thoughts on leadership this week. Because as we move forward as a church our leadership will have to become more organized and stronger.
Some other thoughts:
* For those interested we are having a meeting tonight about our next trip to Tabora, Africa. I am ready to go right now! This will be my fifth trip.
We are working at the new building this Saturday. Knocking out the glass panes in what will be The Kid Zone and replacing with walls. Weather permitting want some to mow and weed eat grass. Another crew cleaning the building from all the sheet rock work.
* Bring tools, lawn mowers, gloves, eye protection etc.
* Does anyone have a dump truck? Need one to haul off stuff.
* Tim is at new building now trying to get approval from city to move food pantry out there in back building now.
* Every time I walk/pray over new building I get jacked up. Think about the opportunities we have for reaching more people!
* Have you told someone about Jesus recently? If not, do it. Amazing how it brightens up your day.
Three things:
1. A vision straight from the heart of God placed into the heart of the Pastor.
So many times people get mad about (pick something) and try to start a church and it never was God's will. We see them start up around here on a regular basis. Many churches have A LOT of people who want their vision for the church to be "THE VISION." If a church doesn't know what its trying to do how can it ever accomplish anything? I've asked numerous Pastors what their vision for the church was and they didn't know. When a man of God has a vision straight from the Hand of God it is a powerful thing. And that Pastor has to be willing to fight for that vision because a lot of people will try to hijack it.
2. The Pastor has to have the gift of teaching.
I'm serious. Teaching God's Word is a very serious matter and if your going to stand before people you better be called by God to do it. If you've been around me any length of time you know I don't think I'm that good of a public communicator. But I know I've been called by God to teach His Word. I've been in so many churches where the teaching pastor was awful. He was a good man but just couldn't teach. Been in many Sunday School classes with the same problem. good people but put you to sleep by reading from the quarterly.
3. The Pastor has to be a great leader
I'm convinced this is the number one problem in the American church, lack of leadership. What the majority of people never know about people like Perry Noble, Andy Stanley, Mark Batterson (and many others) is the level of their leadership gifts.
So, I want to share some of my thoughts on leadership this week. Because as we move forward as a church our leadership will have to become more organized and stronger.
Some other thoughts:
* For those interested we are having a meeting tonight about our next trip to Tabora, Africa. I am ready to go right now! This will be my fifth trip.
We are working at the new building this Saturday. Knocking out the glass panes in what will be The Kid Zone and replacing with walls. Weather permitting want some to mow and weed eat grass. Another crew cleaning the building from all the sheet rock work.
* Bring tools, lawn mowers, gloves, eye protection etc.
* Does anyone have a dump truck? Need one to haul off stuff.
* Tim is at new building now trying to get approval from city to move food pantry out there in back building now.
* Every time I walk/pray over new building I get jacked up. Think about the opportunities we have for reaching more people!
* Have you told someone about Jesus recently? If not, do it. Amazing how it brightens up your day.
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