CHURCH GROWTH (3)

 Improper Methods of Growth

Mike Johnson

For some congregations, numerical growth is the most crucial issue.  They will do almost anything to obtain new members or retain those they already have.  They take great pride in the size of their congregation, showing little concern about whether their growth methods are pleasing to God.  Consider now some improper techniques.

The “Come as You Are” Method

This method of growth is prevalent today.  The idea is, “You don’t have to make any changes in your life; you can persist with what you are doing; you can continue in your sin.” Thus, people can go on with adulterous marriages, living together with their “significant other,” social drinking, dishonest business practices, and foul language.  Recently, a book was advertised quoting the author, who explained, “God loves us rags and all.” According to the ad, God accepts us for what we are, not for what we do.  Unfortunately, many adopt this attitude.

The “come as you are” philosophy is not taught in the Word of God.  Instead, the Bible teaches God will not save people in their sins and requires a change of heart and life.  At Corinth, for example, there was an immoral man in the congregation, and Paul told the Corinthians to withdraw from the individual, delivering him to Satan (1 Cor. 5, 2 Thess. 3:6, 10).  Paul also told the Corinthians that the unrighteous would not be able to inherit the kingdom of God.  He said (1 Cor. 6:9-11), “. . . Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, shall inherit the kingdom of God.  And such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the Spirit of our God” (NASB).  Also, in Galatians 5:19-22, we are told that people who engage in the “works of the flesh;” practicing such sins as adultery, fornication, and drunkenness; will not inherit the kingdom of God.  2 Timothy 4:2 points out we are to “Preach the word!  Be ready in season and out of season.  Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.” Why “reprove” and “rebuke” with our preaching if God accepts everyone the way they are?

Jesus died for all (Jn. 3:16, Rom. 5:6-8), God loves us, and He wants the salvation of everyone (2 Pet. 3:9).  However, to receive forgiveness, we must repent (Acts 2:38, 17:30-31), which involves an attitude that will cause us to turn away from our sins.  We cannot continue in our sins and still be pleasing to God.  For example, the gossiper must stop gossiping, and the thief must stop stealing.  The “Come as You Are” method of growth, practiced by so many, is not pleasing to God and is an improper method of growth.

The “Believe as You Please” Method

This method of growth does not require any conviction on doctrinal matters.  Everything is fine if a person believes in Jesus (or perhaps even some supreme being).  The philosophy is that “it is not necessary for us to all believe the same thing or press for the purity of doctrine.”

Consider the teaching of 2 John 9-11, which says, “Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God.  He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son.  If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.” Do these verses sound as if false doctrine is acceptable and those who believe, practice, and teach it ought to be fellowshipped?  Can people believe anything they want and be acceptable by God?  Clearly, they cannot.

It is interesting to note how often Paul emphasizes the importance of “doctrine” or “sound doctrine” in his letters to Timothy and Titus.  Paul told Titus, for example, “But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine” (Tit. 2:1).  Likewise, he said to Timothy (1 Tim. 4:13), “Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.” (Note also 1Tim.  1:10, 4:16, 6:3; 2 Tim.  4:13; Tit. 1:9, 2:1.)  “Watered-down” preaching may result in a larger congregation, but not in a church pleasing to God

The “Believe as You Please” method may produce a lot of growth in a congregation, but this does not change the fact that this method is unscriptural and not pleasing to God.

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 often provide facilities for “fun,” which may be better than the local community center.  Sometimes they call this facility a “fellowship hall” or “family life center.” They provide 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 a “fun place” to attend.  Parents looking for a congregation often seek a place with numerous social activities for young people.  By “activities,” such endeavors as Bible classes may not be a priority.

The use of fleshly means to attract people to Christ is unscriptural.  The Bible teaches the “gospel” is the “power of God unto salvation” (Rom. 1:16).  On one occasion, when Jesus was experiencing a great deal of popularity, He rebuked the people saying, “. . . you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled” (Jn. 6:26).  Sadly, soon after, many disciples left Him because they said His teaching was “hard” (Jn. 6:60).

The Bible teaches that the church has a specified mission, which is primarily spiritual (1Tim. 3:15).  Its purpose is to teach God’s Word 1 Thess. 1:8, Eph.  4:11-12).  It is also responsible for caring 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’s mission involves recreational and social affairs.  Since this is the case, it has no authority to provide facilities for such.

The “have fun” growth method is unscriptural, even though it may bring in numbers.

The “Sheep Stealing” Method

Sometimes church members are not content with the expansion, which can come from teaching the lost or Christians moving into the community.  Therefore, they try to induce members from other sound congregations to leave the group where they are members to place membership with them.  A small congregation might engage in this practice to gain members from a larger group.  Surprisingly, however, it has happened that members of a very large church will try and “rob” members from a small group in their quest to become even larger.  (2 Sam. 12:1-4).

Conclusion

Growth is good, but we cannot obtain it through unscriptural means.  As we learn from the incident of God telling Saul to destroy the Amalekites completely (1 Sam. 15), the ends do not justify the means.  Growth is essential, but we must accomplish it by Scriptural means.