This past Sunday, I outlined, what I believe to be "The Seven Biggest Challenges" facing Cornerstone in this New Year. This is important because churchs--not unlike American Idol contestants--tend to think that they are better than they really are. Thom Rainer, in Breakout Churches, describes denial as being one of the big barriers to growth. If we don't see our problems, then we will never overcome them. So...what are the biggest problems at Cornerstone?
We need:
Increased Space - We have to discover God's plan to grow our limited facilities!
Members as Owners - We must each take personal responsibility throughout our church!
Personal Excellence - We must each do everything excellently as unto the Lord!
Relationships with our Guests - We must each build relationships with those God sends!
Overcoming Prayer - We must each learn how to pray effectively!
Victorious Evangelism - We must each bring someone to Christ this year!
Every Home a Church - We must each pastor our neighborhood!
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2 comments:
what if its not God's plan for your church to grow in the coming year?
And is that really what we should be concerned about is just getting people into the church building that making them become members?
Excellent question, my friend! Thanks for asking your question and for allowing me the opportunity to speak to it. To begin with, one of the fundamental teachings of Jesus Christ is that the Kingdom of God is growing and expanding. I would refer you several of Jesus' parables that deal with kingdom growth: The Sower and the Seed (Matthew 13:1-9), The Parable of the Mustard Seed (Matthew 13:31-32), The Parable of the Leaven (Matthew 13:33-34), and The Parable of the Net (Matthew 13:47-50). Because the Kingdom of God is growing--healthy churches should be growing. Why? Because we are in a partnership with Christ to reach the people for whom He has died. You are correct in questioning whether our, "concern should be just getting people into the church building and making them members." Truly, our concern must always be to bring these dear people into relationship with God. The church is not the trophy case where the saints are stored but rather the kitchen where the saints are prepared for delicious ministry to the world. I believe our church will grow because we are praying, in obedience to Christ, for more workers to go with us into the fields (Luke 10:2).
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