Growing churches

I am writing in response to the article “Pastors: A quick tip for growing your church” which was published in the April 20 issue of The Alabama Baptist.

While I understand the challenge posed to the church and our denomination in a culture that is increasingly syncretistic and skeptical of mainline Christianity, it should be noted that men and programs do not grow churches. Only the Holy Spirit can add to the body.

We may plant and others may water but only God gives the increase. The Church grows spiritually before it grows numerically.

Therefore the pastor’s focus must not be on what’s absent but building relationships among those present.
Indeed the words of Luke in Acts 2:42–47 establish that as the early Church continued in the apostles’ doctrine, fellowship, prayer, loving care, faithfulness to the holy exercises and praising God, He added to the Church such as should be saved.

An article in the Spring 2017 edition of Facts and Trends magazine supports this biblical precedent, pointing out that growing churches are characterized by the frequency of prayer, Bible study and strong orthodoxy.

Believing in the power of submission and obedience, may we do likewise.

Leander C. Jones
Tuscaloosa, Ala.