(Church) Growth Is a Consequence Word

      Advertising is big in the world... and it's big in the church... because it's a growth strategy. If we tell our story in creative and entertaining ways, to our target audience, we will reach some of them, and they will try us out. They will visit us and buy what we're selling. If we can just get through their unawareness, or skepticism, people will give us a try, and when they do, we must be prepared to seize the moment... and make them ours. Entertainment is big in the world, and it's often big in the church too... because the church wants to compete and "be relevant." Thus, we invest in electronic signs that glow in the dark and giant screens that we erect in our sanctuaries... so that we can tell our stories and pitch our products to members and non-members alike. Social media has taken the world by storm and every savvy retailer offers apps... and specials to social media consumers only. Websites are a must in today's world and they are also a must in the church world, although most churches do a lesser job of designing them and keeping them updated. Things are changing. There's no doubt about it, and in an effort to be relevant, many churches are searching for ways in which they can tell their stories to a generation of people who are less patience and more skeptical than those who preceded them. I know this because growth has been a priority for me and every church I served. In Joliet, we transformed an established church by investing in families and their young children. We remodeled our gym, built a climbing wall, and swapped a tradition at a quiet retreat center for a weekend of family fun in a community noted for its shopping and water activities. In Peoria, we contracted with a nationally known consultant, who advised us to set up satellite locations... and we united with another established church, and built a beautiful, new sanctuary together. In Rock Island, we updated the interior of our building with contemporary colors, added an electronic sign, and established several new Bible study and fellowship opportunities... so that we would be bonded as one in God's word.
      I'm all for these things. Churches need to meet people where they're at, just as Christ did... BUT the church is NOT in the entertainment business. Indeed, throughout its first centuries, the church grew because it was blessed, and it was blessed because it was faithful. The members DEVOTED themselves (they were committed) to the apostles' teaching, to koinonia fellowship (where people know one another, spend time with one another, and meet one another's needs), to the breaking of the bread (which includes both communion and the more typical, but still sacred, meals that we share with one another), to prayers (they prayed for one another, for their church, for the leaders, for all leaders, and for peace), and to being present to one another. The early church took Christ's ministry and his teaching seriously... and they were serious about imitating his love and generosity in the world. Jesus told them that they should proclaim good news to those who were poor, blind, or imprisoned, and that they must love one another as he loved them... and his church worked to do these things. Jesus told them that they would be blessed... if they hungered for righteousness, showed mercy, and made peace. He called them to be the light of the world by serving and by forgiving others... and this is what they did. This is what they were told to do, this is what they believed, and this is what every church MUST do.
      In Christ's name, they responded to people and met their needs, just as he had done. This is also what we must do because people need love (in the form of prayer and bread), real community, sustainable hope, and new beginnings... much more than they need entertainment and committees to attend. In the apostolic age, the church was known for its love. One man, who despised the church, said that "the godless Galileans feed not only their own poor children, but ours as well," and a church leader added, "We used to hate and destroy one another and refused to associate with people of another race or country, but now we live together with these people and pray for our enemies." Tertullian noted that, "We are knit together by a bond of common hope" (and) when we gather, we read our sacred writings, which nourish our faith and enhance our confidence. Another church leader said, "Every day our church here feeds 3000 people, besides providing for prisoners, hospitalized, crippled, and Christians imprisoned because of their faith. When epidemics broke out in Carthage and Alexandria, Christians rushed aid to all in need." Amen.
      They were loving one another as Christ loved them and they were serving all of God's children in His name. They embraced the good news and they lived it out in their own lives. They were, indeed, the light of the world, and no power on earth could ever put it out. Friends, may we never forget that we are in the ministry business. Christ crucified and risen- this is our message. And carrying our cross for him- this is our life. Growth is a consequence word. It will come to us... as we are faithful to our mission and our calling. It will come as a blessing. In fact, it must come as a blessing because it cannot be chased down, manipulated, or owned on our own terms. If you want to be a growing church, be a faithful church!