GROWTH

As I look forward to what will be the “closing chapter” of my life…and by “closing chapter” I mean the years during which most people, including me, would retire…I probably, inevitably will, but at the least I will be “slowing down”, “lessening”, and napping more. I am now a “mature adult” and the boys, MY boys, are now grown and in their thirties.  They live close by, but in separate homes, creating new lives.  What happened to the time?

As I look at my boys, at their maturity, and as I listen to them speak, I realize that they have become strong, able, somewhat wise, and grown quickly beyond anything I would be able to teach them or show them…how did that happen? 

How does ANYONE “grow”?  My boys grew, not because their mother and I stood over them every day and commanded them to grow.  They didn’t grow and mature because we focused on their growth. No, they grew because we focused on their nurture.  We fed them, we made sure that they got enough rest, we educated them and made sure that they were surrounded and protected by teachers who reflected and taught what we believed to be the truth.  We gave them extra protection and help when they were weak.  We gave them space to walk and run when they were strong. As a result, they grew.  Their growth was, and is, a result of nurture.

CHURCH GROWTH is a subject of thousands of books and even more theories.  In my congregation, we face the question that many other churches ask: how do we define “growth” and how do we survive without it?  Some believe that focusing ON growth itself is the answer, defining “growth” as “numbers” with an effort to push and pull numbers of people into the pews.  Unfortunately, some congregations focus so intently on “filling the pews” that they forget their true purpose: WORSHIP.  When so much energy is spent on advertising and gaining numbers, the core, and long-time, members of church sometimes (not always) feel neglected.  It’s true in commerce, and it’s true in church:  all of the best, cleverest and most expensive advertising available to a restaurant won’t do anything but get customers in the door…ONCE, but if the food is lousy, no advertising available will get them to return…ultimately advertising doesn’t work unless the “product” is good.  Good food is its best advertisement.

My philosophy, which is probably flawed and lacking because I am still simply learning, is that, in the Church “growth” should be defined as “depth & breadth” of faith and knowledge within the Kingdom of God…growth MAY include numbers (quantity) but NEEDS to include a deeper relationship with God (qualtity). And NURTURE causes growth, even in congregations.   

People will be naturally and supernaturally drawn to a place where there is love, where they are fed, where they in turn have an opportunity to feed, and where they are accepted and have a place.  When God’s presence is sincerely felt, no one can help but advertise.

“By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” JOHN 13:35