tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29668003.post857838378995987526..comments2023-08-20T02:21:02.710-06:00Comments on Dave Samples: The Seven Biggest Challenges...Dave Sampleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01763885971864022696noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29668003.post-68928162379324154062007-01-20T18:15:00.000-07:002007-01-20T18:15:00.000-07:00Excellent question, my friend! Thanks for asking ...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).Dave Sampleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01763885971864022696noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29668003.post-4223896432378809022007-01-19T08:13:00.000-07:002007-01-19T08:13:00.000-07:00what if its not God's plan for your church to grow...what if its not God's plan for your church to grow in the coming year?<br /><br />And is that really what we should be concerned about is just getting people into the church building that making them become members?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com