Make Us Grow

As our church grows numerically as well as in other ways such as financially, and most importantly spiritually . . . we are going to face some increasing challenges.

First, it is going to be increasingly difficult to know everyone in our church. I already am finding it hard to keep all the names in my Swiss cheese memory. It will be easier and more common for people to remain anonymous. Lord, deliver us from being tolerant of this possibility. To combat this, we all need to step up and introduce ourselves to people that we do not know. We all are going to need to broaden our horizons and enlarge our personal “worlds” by intentionally getting to know others that we do not currently know. If fact, a good idea suggested to me lately, was for everyone to come on Sunday morning with the mission of meeting one person each and every week that they do not know or do not know well. Continue to talk with your familiar circle of friends, by all means – but take the time to meet just one new person each week.

Second, a tendency may develop for a smaller percentage of people to be doing a larger percentage of the work. As we add people, the work load will increase. There will be more chairs to set up. There will be more things to haul in for the nursery. There will be more children to teach in SS and AWANA. There will be more people to visit with meals in times of need. There will be increasing numbers of people to assimilate into small groups on Wednesday and Sunday nights. You get the point. The workload will grow as our church grows. We can combat the old 80/20 problem (80% of the work being done by 20% of the people) with increased volunteerism. The truth of the matter is, the church NEEDS each other. Our personal ideal for NWBC truly must include the concept of our own personal service unto the Lord in His local church. It cannot be just about what we receive but it also must be about what we give. Both are part of being in the church family. It is not unreasonable to think of NWBC as an exception to the rule when it comes to volunteerism and service. Equal sacrifice by all.

Third, with greater numbers will come the pressure to make the messages and teaching more palatable to the growing numbers. Will we be able to resist the pressure and temptation to rely on topical driven messages and less Bible centered messages? This is primarily a duty of the leadership team to set the rudder as to our teaching. This being true, it is not an exclusive leadership job. We ALL play a part in determining the course of teaching within the church family. We are committed to expository teaching & preaching based upon exegetical study. Our name is intentionally Northwest BIBLE Church.

“Lord, make us grow.” A wonderful prayer but I would submit, one with strings attached.

“Lord, make us grow as YOU would have us grow!”