This past week our church experienced Mother's Day with Baby Dedications, great music (I was in the Praise Team), an outstanding message and 55 people giving their lives to the Lord in baptism. In my excitement I posted a Rick Warren Twitter quote. "The church that isn't passionate about growing, is saying to unbelievers "You can go to hell!"
Then I got some responses from friends who think it is not about the number of people being saved as it is about making disciples of people. Focus on the few and teach them the depths of Christianity. In fact one person said that our church is not seeing real growth which is a win for the Devil.
Here's my candid opinion regarding church growth.
While I agree that just getting people to make a decision is not the end all that you find in some TV only programs, I believe the church of 2012 MUST reach those far from God with today's technology and with a plan!
I am tired of those who criticize God's church because they feel "closer to the Lord in training and discipleship" than us who are giving our lives away every day to see people give their lives to the Lord.
You may ask, "So your church has a plan to make disciples of people?"
From my observations almost all large contemporary churches have detailed plans for growing new members. Our church plans for "after decision" time are seen in the results we experience.
For 2011: 443 baptisms; 66% of 4200 people are in small groups getting that discipleship; several in depth training programs that are part of a new Christians understanding what it takes to be a Christ Follower; 646 new people are serving others in the church; giving increased by 11.5% for the year in a time of recession; and 14 mission trips throughout the world as well as being a major player at KARM (Knoxville Area Rescue Ministry).
For those people who want to criticize something they do not understand I only ask that you find a church that is growing and check out their full growth plans that are all inclusive which DO make disciples from new believers. It is not the staff that is getting people to become believers but the people themselves who are chasing after the Lord everyday and bringing their family and friends to a relationship with the Lord and not a religion.
Maybe if you still think that we should not be passionate about growth, check out Acts 2:41- "That day about three thousand took Peter at his word, were baptized and were signed up". Acts 2:47 - "Every day their number grew as God added those who were saved". (The Message)
As for me and my family we want to make it hard to go to hell from East Tennessee not turn inward just watching people go to hell and not care because we are building disciples. (A holy huddle?)
Just my thoughts!
