Let’s Talk “Church Growth”

God is good, isn’t He?! We have been so blessed! I cannot emphasize enough how great it is we’re dealing with challenges…because we’re growing. Due to our circumstances, I have been reading a lot lately on the ever-changing subject of “church growth.” It’s really an interesting term. I had a class at Bear Valley called “Church Growth.” There’s a genre of books and literature with the same designation. There are great thinkers, many among the Lord’s church, who are considered “experts” in this field.

But, let’s think about this for a minute, shall we? To a person we would certainly remind our friends and families the church is not the building, it’s the people. We would not hesitate to confirm the church is comprised of individual, obedient believers sharing in common faith and fellowship. So, what do we mean when we use the term “church growth”? Are we talking about larger crowds? Bigger facilities? Well, the truth is, yes – those are both aspects of growth. As our fellowship increases in number, we are going to have to have a larger facility. That makes sense.

However, we can’t lose sight of our definition of the “church” in all of this, can we? We are the church. Christians are the church. In order to experience real church growth, we have to focus on our own spiritual walk with Jesus Christ.

Peter says, in 2 Peter 1:5 and following, “…make every effort to supplement your faith…” (ESV). Some translations read “add to your faith.” Then the apostle lists the supplements we need: virtue, knowledge, self-control, and on he goes. He’s talking about growth! Consider the following passages: Ephesians 2:20-22, “…grows into a holy temple in the Lord…”; Ephesians 4:14-16, “…grow up in every way into Him who is the head…”; Colossians 2:18-20, “…the whole body…grows with a growth that is from God.” See…growth is what’s expected from God’s people. It’s not a philosophy. It’s not a model we can opt to follow or not follow. It’s what God wants us to do. We’re to grow, to mature, and to build each other up! And, if you look back at

Peter’s reasoning, he even tells us exactly why we need to add these elements of growth to our faith: “For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Pet 1:8).

In order to be effective and fruitful in the Kingdom of God, we all have to be well-versed in “church growth.” Maybe we won’t all be so-called “experts”, but we can all be adding to our faith and growing in our dedication and service to Christ. If we do that, the questions of crowds and facilities will take care of themselves. If we, the church, grow as God asks, we will be an integral part of growing the Kingdom.