Churches, Quit Losing the War in Order to Win the Battle
Churches want to grow. It would be difficult to find a congregation that doesn’t at least say they want to grow. Now, some may not actually want more people, but that’s a different article.
However, in an effort to add to the numbers, too many churches are forgetting that there is a war to be fought, and not just a battle for increasing numbers in the bulletin.
Churches need to stop making their first question, “How can we get more people?” Yes, we need to care if more people attend. Yes, we need to desire for more people to come to a saving knowledge of Christ. Yes, we need to encourage our members to be faithful in attendance and to invite others.
However, if all we care about is larger numbers, we will lose the war in order to win the battle.
If we want larger numbers, why not just replace our buildings with amusement parks? Wouldn’t that draw larger numbers?
Now, that may sound like a silly thing to say, but how many congregations are already turning what goes on inside the building to that mentality? We will minimize the importance of Biblical teaching because it might offend or turn away. We will add a guitar solo or a band to the singing because more people like it. We will include some drama in the service, because preaching is boring.
Now, those things, likely, will draw more people. That is nearly certain…
…until they don’t. Then what?
When those things start becoming not amusing or not engaging enough, then what? What goes next. What comes in next? After all, we have to draw more people. That’s the war we are fighting, right?
Nope.
The war we are fighting is for the souls of people against the power of the devil. Getting more people is a battle in that war, but God has already revealed our battle plan, and it cannot be altered at a whim or according to our “wise” thoughts.
Our first question should never be, “What can draw more people?” Our first question must always be, “What has God said pleases Him?”
And, yes, it pleases Him when people are drawn. However, He has also told us that following what He has said pleases Him. That means
Doing what God has said in the manner in which He has said it to His glory is what pleases Him.
And, if we do that well, people will notice. Some will come and some won’t. That’s the way it has always been. But our goal is never increasing numbers just for the sake of increasing numbers. Our goal is to be faithful servants of the Almighty and to follow what He has said. It may be countercultural. It may be unpopular. It may even mean our numbers decrease for a while.
We will continue to invite and encourage, but we will not compromise what the Lord has said pleases Him. Not one iota.
May we remain faithful to the Word. May we spread the Word. And may we never attempt to change the Word just for the sake of numbers.
Let’s win the war over our enemy the devil, not just a modern-day battle for larger numbers.
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AUTHOR: Adam Faughn
