Church Growth

I've been journeying a great book recently called Worship Matters by Bob Kauflin
If you are a worship leader, involved in worship ministry in some way, or interested about church and why we sing a lot then I really recommend this book.

If you are a leader (church leader or worship leader) this book brings a blend of theology, theory and practise. Parts of it challenge why we do what we do in our Sunday gatherings and other bits give really practical advice for leading sung worship in small groups or in a packed out auditorium.

As I was reading last night, I came across a section about whether worship in church is for the church or unbelievers. One particular part focused on the always popular subject of church growth.

Whether it's Sunday morning, youth groups, children's clubs, Bible studies, midweek groups, the church likes to talk about growth. Yet, we so often talk about numerical growth. Why do we like to talk about growth?.... because it's tangible, it's measurable. If OUR group is growing then it appears we're doing our job well. To a certain extent this is true, numbers are one measurement of growth, but:

Imagine the effect if church growth referred to churches growing in their understanding of the gospel, personal godliness, involvement in the church, and their heart for the lost rather than simply numbers

I confess, I was reading in a semi-conscious state, but that sentence made me sit up and wake up. 

IMAGINE if church growth meant those we lead growing in their gospel life
IMAGINE if church growth meant a growing heart for the lost
IMAGINE if church growth meant growing into a reflection of Christ

IMAGINE!

Let's take it a step further, let's not just imagine it. Let's illustrate, display and communicate it. Leaders, let's be the people whose churches, groups and ministry areas are growing numerically, but are, also and more so, growing into Christ likeness, leading people to be a breath of fresh air in this squalid and polluted society (Phil 2:15 MSG)