A Christian friend recently asked me my thoughts on why some churches grow and others do not. My wife and I owned a Christian bookstore for a couple of years....this oh....twenty-five years or so ago. I was going through old stored-away papers the other day and came across an article that our local newspaper did on the bookstore when it opened. So I just retrieved that article that included a photo of me in front of some of the books on display. I can make out a couple of books by Jonathan Edwards and a biography of him....William Gurnall's....The Christian In Complete Armor....that I posted on only a few days ago....all three volumes....and a number of wonderful Puritan books. I am sitting down in the photo holding Lewis Drummond's.....Spurgeon....Prince of Preachers. George Henry Broughton's well-known 1867 oil painting....Pilgrims Going To Church....hangs above my head. That same painting is on our wall about ten feet in front of me as I type.
Owning and running that bookstore was a lot of work....but there was a lot of blessings in return. I am so thankful to have had the opportunity....but a bookstore that sold titles such as the ones that I mentioned....is not going to succeed....in the worldy definition of succeed. It is the same with churches!
It must not be hard to grow a church to large numbers.....because they are literally everywhere. Over the years....decades actually....I have been on their websites for one reason or another....and they are all the same. They offer a lot of 'ministries' for the people to be part of....and a lot of things to do....fellowship dinners....and church picnics....and of course plenty of things to keep the children occupied.....ages toddler to teen. Sermon content does not matter....unless it is displayed to show perspective visitors that there is nothing there that would be upsetting. And there is always.....sometimes you have to look hard to find it....the ubiquitous link....What We Believe....probably next to....Directions To The Church....which is more important.
Church growth....that brings glory to God....which is true success....is His responsibility. Ours is to be faithful to God's Word....and to pray. Interestingly....one of the books in that photo is Iain Murray's 1994....classic I believe....Revival & Revivalism....The Making and Marring of American Evangelicalism...1750-1858. I have that book here with me also....and this is the blurb on the back by Sinclair Ferguson....."This is not merely a record of the church's past. Rather, those who read it will soon realize that it provides a key to understanding contemporary evangelicalism and its deep needs. It may not be too much to claim that this volume is essential reading for Christians who desire true revival in the churches of our own day?"
Friends....personal opinion here....this is a time for church preparation more than church growth....for the day is speedily coming upon us when all of the baubles of sport and entertainments will be seen as deceptive as they are. The people are going to come....in response to the shaking that God will do....this in His perfect timing....may the pastors in our pulpits be on their knees now....pleading with God for wisdom and strength for that day....and may we be pleading for discernment and strength also! The post that is only a few below this....titled....An Odd Prayer Request....is in anticipation of what lies ahead.
