THE “HAVE FUN” METHOD OF CHURCH GROWTH

Mike Johnson

        Churches want to grow numerically, and there are many ways they try to accomplish this. Any method chosen must not conflict with the Scriptures. One approach, which is contrary to God’s Word, is the “Have Fun Method.”

 The concept of the “social gospel,” which involves taking care of the needs of the whole man, is frequently employed by most religious groups to increase their numbers. Among these needs are recreational activities and social events. Churches today usually provide, if they can afford it, facilities for “fun,” which may be better than the local community center. Sometimes they call this facility a “fellowship hall” or a “family life center.” They provide facilities as basketball/volleyball courts, walking/jogging tracks, weight rooms, dining facilities, and game rooms. Also, buses and vans are purchased to transport people to social events. The church sometimes advertises itself as the “fun place” to attend. Parents looking for a congregation often seek a place, which has numerous social activities for young people. By “activities,” such endeavors as Bible classes are not usually on their minds.

 The use of fleshly means to attract people to Christ is not scriptural. The Bible teaches the “gospel” is the “power of God unto salvation” (Rom. 1:16). Further, when Jesus was experiencing a great deal of popularity, He rebuked the people because, as He said, “. . . you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled” (Jn. 6:26). If the use of material means to get people interested is proper, then Jesus should have just kept performing miracles and serving more food. Soon after this, many disciples left Him because they said His teaching was “hard” (Jn. 6:60).

The Bible also teaches that the church has a specified mission, which is primarily spiritual (I Tim. 3:15). Its purpose is to teach God’s Word (I Thess. 1:8, Eph. 4:11-12). It also has a responsibility to care for needy saints (Acts 11:26-30). The church can use means and methods to carry out this work. Yet, the Bible nowhere says the church has as its mission the providing of recreation and social affairs. Since this is the case, it has no authority to provide facilities for such.

The “have fun” method of growth, even though it may bring in numbers, is contrary to God’s Word.