A Growing Church
What causes some churches to grow, while other churches decline? I know there are lots of factors, but I believe I have observed one main factor over the years. The people of the church make the difference, not the programs, the buildings, or the location. We see this clearly in Luke's description of the early church. (Acts 2:26,47) Even though you may be familiar with these verses think about how profound they are.
A growing church is a group of people in one accord. They have a unity of mind, heart, and purpose, so they do the Lord's work together. They like being with each other, so they share in fellowship around meals and at other times. They are friends, not just fellow church members. They have joy, so that they display gladness and simplicity of heart in all they do. They are constantly praising God, so that other people look on them with favor, not disdain. When there is a group of believers who have these qualities, there are people being saved and added to the church weekly, because who would not want to be a part of a group of people like that?
A growing church has more than advertising. A growing church has publicity. Advertising has to be paid for, but publicity is the public seeing in the lives of the people a difference that makes them want the Lord and want to be a part of that church.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Acts 3-5.
A growing church is a group of people in one accord. They have a unity of mind, heart, and purpose, so they do the Lord's work together. They like being with each other, so they share in fellowship around meals and at other times. They are friends, not just fellow church members. They have joy, so that they display gladness and simplicity of heart in all they do. They are constantly praising God, so that other people look on them with favor, not disdain. When there is a group of believers who have these qualities, there are people being saved and added to the church weekly, because who would not want to be a part of a group of people like that?
A growing church has more than advertising. A growing church has publicity. Advertising has to be paid for, but publicity is the public seeing in the lives of the people a difference that makes them want the Lord and want to be a part of that church.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Acts 3-5.