SOME THINGS MORE IMPORTANT THAN CHURCH GROWTH!

So what is it that grows a church? It is the question asked all over the world as people seek to find the secret to church growth. Over the years there have been many attempts to come up with what it is that makes a church grow. From church growth seminars and conferences to a myriad of books on the subject, there has been an insatiable appetite for this subject.

But is that the question we should be asking as Pastors? Should that have preeminence in our minds? We all would agree that we would like more people in the pews. But should that be the driving force behind our ministries? I would advocate that this should NOT be what drives us. I believe there are some things that are far more important for the pastor than the head count on a Sunday, and here are some of those things;

1. Accurate God exalting expositional preaching from the pulpit. It is far more important that the Word is truly being preached with power conviction and faithfulness to the text.

2. Faithful private devotions. A man of God is only as good as his time with the Lord. Many a pastor of churches with thousands in attendance have fallen in disgrace due to a lack of personal holiness.

3. A solid home life. It is far more important for the shepherd of the flock to be the shepherd of his house, than the attendance on a Sunday morning.

While there are many more that would make this list of things more important for a pastor than the size of his church, this is a good beginning. You show me a man who walks with God, leads his home and preaches powerfully and accurately the Word of God, and I will show you a man who will soon hear those longed for words, "well done good and faithful servant". At the end of the day that is what we ought to long for as pastors, to please our God and Savior, not build a numerically large church. We preach, teach and live for an audience of One,the One! Now to Him be the glory forever and ever, Amen!