No.2 - Numerical Kingdom Growth

OK, so I had a bit of a rave in my last post. But I will continue to aim for growth.Yep, Sam, Doug and Steve are right in commenting that our focus should be on Christ and pursuing knowing him and then evangelism will flow; that we should build a solid foundation; and love ought to be the distinguishing mark for effective witness. Each of these will be looked at in other posts.

I want to say that its OK to talk about numbers. I know, I know - numbers aren't everything, numbers don't tell the whole story, people are more important than numbers, etc. But numbers are important. In evangelism terms - every number represent a soul that is needing to be found or is found! God must have thought that numbers were important that He named an Old Testament book "Numbers" (have you ever thought why it is called The Book of Numbers?). God certainly inspired Luke to mention numbers in the Book of Acts, particularly recording the significant growth of the church. Luke started with 120 in Acts 1:15. Then the church grew to over 3000 on the Day of Pentecost. Then we read how the church grew in large numbers in chapters 4, 5 and 6. In Acts 9 the church was no longer added too but it multiplied. In Acts 16:5 we read of daily increases. And in Acts 21:20 literally myriads, that is, 10000s were added.

My aim for numerical growth is solely for the cause of His kingdom. Transfer and biological growth is often encouraging, but its kingdom growth that ought to inspire us. 

Now I'm fully aware of the issues in chasing numbers. Sometimes we on the School Board appear to be chasing numbers because numbers mean money and we need money to resource our students (which is important to discuss). Sometimes we on the Leadership Team don't talk enough about numbers - are we declining, plateauing or growing? What is our projected growth? Sometimes we pastoral staff can get discouraged by lack of numbers serving in our groups, services, etc. For some Senior Pastors like myself, our ego inflates or deflates with numbers attending our churches. Often we can feel that our churches are healthy when we reach the "magical" 500+ and/or 1000+ when in fact big churches aren't always better churches.

When we do talk numbers may we remember the balanced perspective of kingdom growth. Jesus said "Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you" (Luke 12:31 ESV). God willing, our church and school will experience kingdom growth. Such growth may also see added resources for our students, greater finances for our missionaries, etc. 

In future posts, I will discuss some biblical principles on how growth might be achieved. 

For His Cause
David Moyes

No.1 - Aiming For Growth, Unashamedly

I sometimes feel that my motives are wrong and that I am a voice in the wilderness. Sometimes I get frustrated with my colleagues. Except for some pastors of larger churches in Australia, many church leaders don't talk much about it. It isn't trendy. 

I'm challenged by the Luke's observation of the Early Church: "...And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved" (Acts 2:47 NIV). I'm challenged by the growth of new Christians. I'm motivated to help lead a church that experiences such growth. 

Sadly, the emphasis on growth doesn't seem a priority amongst many church leaders across the country. Judging from social media "evangelism" isn't trendy. Nearly all of my social media friends who are leaders of churches and denominations rarely talk, if at all, about evangelism. Its all about social justice. Now I must say that I agree with them and we do need church leaders to speak up! My point is, where are those speaking about evangelism and growing God's church? Certainly talking about numerical growth isn't discussed at all. 

Over the past decade church leaders have discussed much about being "missional". Authors of the missional movement have created great excitement, hope and even a following. And there are lessons to learn. Unfortunately there is little evidence of growth within Australia brought about through the missional model. Nor has their been growth through the seeker model, cell church model, etc.

"And the Lord added to their number daily those being saved" still challenges me... and as a Christian leader it ought to challenge you to. Unashamedly I am aiming for strong numerical growth for His Kingdom's sake. Jesus said: "Then the master told his servant, 'Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full'" (Luke 14:23 NIV).

In this series of Blogs, I want to dialogue on issues that both hinders and causes growth. My prayer is that together we will seek the Lord, change current church culture, and put into place Biblical principles that will enable strong numerical growth for both Reedy Creek Baptist and Hillcrest Christian College.

For His Cause
David Moyes

P.S. If any posts resinates with you, please write a comment. It would be good to see what others think.