"Outreach"

How do congregations grow? Recently I was asked to speak with two different congregations on church growth. What struck me as strange was the preachers in both places had little to no interest in what I was teaching because it was not a formula or program. They left the meeting.

People believe that growth is from some type of program. It is by our efforts, our classes, our outreach programs or hiring a preacher with flare and a personality. It seems congregations are more concerned with numbers than the preaching of the gospel in its purity and simplicity. Often I hear elders or preachers speak of "growing the church" as if we are the ones who gives the increase. It's true we have to reach out but let's listen carefully to Paul: "I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth." (I Cor. 3:6-7) Paul understood his role as an apostle and preacher but he knew where the real power and secret to growth lay.

At another congregation I was visiting, the preacher was speaking about how they were to reach the lost in our present day and time. In his speaking, not once did he mention the gospel of God (Rom. 1:16) but the "buzz" was centered around meeting the needs of the community. It struck me if we believe we have 'out-grown' God and the preaching of His word alone as all important. Feeding and clothing people, seasonal outreaches and financial stability classes offered has become the outreach. I want you to know that I realize we need to help those in need, looking for opportunities to help, but what is happening is our evangelism has centered around these things while the preaching of the gospel to the lost has gone by the way. Classes are offered on coping with anxieties, building self esteem, teen problems and pure bible study has taken second place to these themes.

The greatest danger the church is facing is the voiding of the cross by our own cleverness (I Cor. 1:17). Once we void the cross and its power, the church is reduced to a denomination that must compete for people in an entertainment rich society. Our worship, our classes and studies look and sound like the world. I have witnessed many good things done for our hurting world by the church. But when our outreaches reduce or stand in the way of the power of God to save, the preaching of the gospel to draw people into His salvation, they become the efforts of man and not God.

"According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it." (I Cor. 3:10) We need to be careful how we build. There is accountability before God.