Pews. Stop filling them. (Photo credit: boxchain)
Yes, you read that right. I’m done.
No more outreach strategies to fill the pews. No more ideas to draw young people. No more switching out the hard stuff for lighter fare in hopes that we will appeal to a larger audience.
No more “growing the church.”
It seems that every time I sit down to think of ways to lead people to Jesus, I find a new way to “align a program” or “bring focus to an issue” — or worse, I find good people who mistakenly think that my job is to be a chaplain, or just their “professional visitor.” Gotta get those visitors to close the deal and join up.
Too many people think that mission of the Church is to swell the ranks and fill the pews. Too many people think that this task is my job. Too many people find me a failure for not getting this done.
So. No more just “growing the church.”
Unless. Unless you mean something different when you say, “Grow, Church.”
Perhaps you mean, “Growing in Grace.” Perhaps the church is learning to become more mature about forgiveness. Maybe that would mean that the churches in the USA would be more willing to reach across boundaries of age, race, gender, and politics (yeah, I said it) in order to develop real relationships.
I would love to grow that church.
Maybe you mean, “Growing in Love.” That could mean that the church is learning to become more selfless. That could turn into giving our time and our money to help people who are in a bad way — even people we don’t think really deserve it.
I could see myself growing a cool church like that.
Maybe you mean “Growing in Depth.” Would that mean that people were learning to accept their flaws without glossing them over? Would that mean an outbreak of patience and kindness that only comes from realizing that we are all screwed up in one way or another, and God loves us anyway? Would that mean that folks realized that they are unqualified to do ministry – just like the minister – and would commit to doing ministry anyway? Would that mean that you realized the value of what you have in Christ is too valuable to not give it away?
I would give my right arm to grow that church.
What do you mean when you say, “Grow the church?” Because if you are looking for growth strategies that capitalize on market demographics and creative sales pitches, I’m probably busy that day you want to talk.
What do you mean when you say, “Grow the church?” Because if you are trying to find ways to impress kids, add some flash to your worship, and pray that they will give enough to pay for the brand new $2.3 million, 2500 seat worship center, I’ve got another appointment to keep.
But if you mean that you are interested in growing disciples into deeply committed Christians, let me invite you to pull up a chair, stop pulling out your hair, give up on pulling up your own bootstraps, and let’s get down to brass tacks.
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If we grow the kingdom, God will take care of the church. If we focus on the church, we miss the point.
Andy, you’re so right. Why do we forget this so easily? Maybe praying the Lord’s prayer “daily” would be an antidote? Thanks man.
I would love a church like this… i am done until i see it in action… talk is cheap and unimpressive…. i think jesus would slam the doors of the current day pharisees growing churches…for power, prestige, position….
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When I read this I think of all the ways that we use media in churches; but in the end the difference in church attendance and meaningful discipleship is made through truly meaningful relationships with others in a church. Often program is so time consuming that those relationships suffer. Sometimes I think we should go back to smaller church units only because it allows time for more depth in sharing. We don’t know each others stories; we don’t share what is really going on; I do love big worship settings with a beautifully crafted liturgy (I am an Episcopalien) — that feeds me but I know its not for everyone.
I enjoyed the blog. The funny thing is when I sent it to some friends, one who is our District Field Outreach Minister (aka assistant DS) became very concerned that I was discouraged or disgruntled. Not at all! Actually I was amused by the image of you hunched over your desk doing statistical reports and realizing that there wasn’t a line to report the really important things.
I was even more amused, however, that even at the lowest levels of the bureaucracy she assumed that there must be something WRONG with me if I agree that the things we cannot measure are more important than the things that we can.
Thanks for a good chuckle!
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After reading this I would like to say that when I say grow the Church I expect us to do what Jesus did…Go out and find sinners and those in need and bring them to the church. Were would we be if Jesus only preached to the disciples? Only gave lessons to those that already believed? What if the Disciples only spoke to each other about what Jesus said? We cannot grow God’s army being safe inside the doors of our churchs. As pastors and leaders of the body of Christ it is our job to grow the church. If we leave one soul behind because we did nothing to get them to church we have failed. If we are called to do God’s work then let us do God’s work. Jesus was called to save us and He hung on a cross for us so that we might have everlasting life in heaven, the least I can do is put in some extra time to grow His church, bring people in to learn and accept Jesus in their lives. Thank you for letting me post. Many Blessingsto all of you.