Healthy things grow! When a tree is planted, growth is expected. When a small fawn is born, growth begins almost immediately. The same is true of God’s people. Healthy congregations grow! However, some congregations of the Lord’s church are not growing; in fact, some are “dying on the vine.” Why do some congregation grow while others do not? When an entity is supposed to grow and does not, it behooves us to ask, “Why?” By understanding the reason(s) for non-growth, we can more easily make the proper adjustments and prescribe the cure. Below are three possible “growth limiting obstacles.”
Firstly, blurred mission is an obstacle to growth. Sadly, some congregations have forgotten that God’s plan for His people is to tell the “old story” to those we meet! We often sing about “sending the light,” but far too often some congregations are busy with everything except sending the light. We make sure the youth group is pampered and entertained, the older folks are enjoying the activities with which they are afforded and the young married couples enjoy each other’s “Red Lobster” night. Yet, we forget the main objective for Christ’s church. While I am certainly not against wholesome fun and fellowship of fellow Christians, that is not the main objective for Christ’s kingdom. I once heard a brother in Christ say that we must adapt to “compete with denominations.” Dear friends, we have never been nor will we ever be in competition with denominations! Ours is a spiritually defined, divine mission (Matthew28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; Luke 24:47; John 20:21). Getting back to that mission will certainly get us on the divine track for a growing, healthy congregation that pleases the Master.
Secondly, a blighted message is an obstacle to growth. Sometimes we believe we know better than God. For example, in some places the truth of the Gospel is not being preached. Soothing, motivational speeches plague many of our pulpits! I often hear people refer to preachers like this, “He is a great preacher” or “He wrote the book on preaching.” While those kind words make a preacher feel good, the real question should be, “What does God thinks of this man’s preaching?” Dear friends, God wrote the “Book” on preaching, and therefore, He is the standard of what makes a sermon good or bad. When compared with the Master, what kind of preacher is he? While I certainly appreciate the kind words folks sometimes say regarding my sermons, I am much more concerned that my sermons are pleasing to Almighty God! “Soft” preaching does not “reprove, rebuke and exhort.” Bible preaching does just that (2 Timothy 4:1-4)! Please understand, I am not referring to a mean spirit in the pulpit, but rather to a man dedicated and devoted to “Thus saith the Lord”! Getting back to a biblical message in our pulpits and lecterns will get us back on the divine track of a healthy, growing congregation that pleases God.
Thirdly, bickering members are an obstacle to growth. Let’s face it, Brethren. We are all “wired up differently,” and all of us have different ways and opinions. However, sometimes we are so petty about these differences that we allow them to affect our relationships in Christ. Sometimes, two congregations just minutes apart never speak, and yet, both claim to be going to Heaven. What will those same congregations do if they go to Heaven? Will God allow them to ignore each another in Heaven? What about two members who worship under the same roof each Sunday and cannot even stand to look at each other? Most every Christian has at one time or another had a difference or been hurt by a fellow member of the church. Sadly, those hurts are often held onto and remembered as the years pass. Sometimes, Brethren, we must simply let bygones be bygones! Paul wrote of the necessity of forgiveness among God’s children (Ephesians 4:32; Philippians 4:2). Oh, how we must get back on the divine track of loving each other and not allowing our differences to destroy and consume us (Galatians 5:15). True love and kindness among God’s people make for a healthy environment for growth.
There are many reasons why congregations do not grow, but Dear friends, there are no good reasons. Healthy churches grow; that is God’s desire. What about the congregation of which you are a part; is it growing? Is it healthy? Sometimes an honest evaluation and the removal of any prohibition to growth is necessary. As God’s people, we can and should grow. “…Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled” (Luke 14:23). Let’s go!
