Darryl's Blog
Guaranteed church growth
Michael Haykin writes a thoughtful post on our tendency to depend on models for what God alone can give:
Most recently, this arrogance can be seen in those who would argue that one type of model of church growth is guaranteed to produce the goods. Some urge a model of church growth à la Willow Creek, others cite Emergent as the only way to go. Some embrace a business model with the pastor as the CEO—to be honest this I find the strangest of all recent church growth models—and tout this as the sure fire method of spiritual revitalization. How utterly mistaken!
God is sovereign and ecclesial prosperity his right alone to grant. To be sure, there are paths that must be followed, but they are ways of piety and morality, not this type of structure or that...
As D.A. Carson, whose life and writings have been a tremendous inspiration to me personally, has rightly said: “We depend on plans, programs, vision statements—but somewhere along the way we have succumbed to the temptation to displace the foolishness of the cross with the wisdom of strategic planning.”
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Ironic that I just received an email from Haddon yesterday soliciting input for their strategic planning process.
Strategic planning has its place. Sometimes though I think we expect too much of it and inadvertently trust it for more than it's meant to do.
Thanks Darryl for linking onto this posting of Michael's. It was a tonic to the soul.
I have long held the opinion that pastors/preachers/teachers should just stick to the unadulterated Word of God instead of plans, programs, vision statements and the like. And God forbid that we treat the church like just another business. Next thing you know, we will be applying for ISO-9000 registration!!
I have said it before, and I will say it again: A theologian I am not. I am just foolish enough to believe the Word of God, and simple enough to trust it. Isaiah 55:6 - 11 in the NKJV says:
6 Seek the Lord while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near.
7 Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the Lord, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.
8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.
9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.
10 “For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, And do not return there, But water the earth, And make it bring forth and bud, That it may give seed to the sower And bread to the eater,
11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
If preachers would forget about their own agendas; forget about tickling the ears of the congregation; dispense with the plans and programs; dispose of the legalism and man-made rules and regulations people are supposed to abide by in order to be in “right-standing with the church,” and simply concentrate their efforts on hearing from God and preaching/teaching what God has in mind for that particular part of the Body of Christ, the church as a whole would be a lot better off. Christians would be in much better Spiritual shape and walk in Love instead of condemnation; more would be accomplished for the Kingdom; more people would be called to repentance and be in right-standing with God, (as opposed to the church,) and church growth would take care of itself.
I am also by no means a church historian, but it seems to me that evangelists like Wesley, Moody and others of their kind turned whole cities upside down and emptied the bar-rooms by simply preaching The Word, and A Holy God and The Gospel, - as they understood it in their day, (even though today we may not always agree with the some of the positions they took back then.) The Apostle Paul, almost single-handedly, was responsible for the spreading of The Gospel throughout the then-known world, (“and the church grew daily”) because he “preached Jesus and Him Glorified,” not because he followed some business management practice/model.
I realize that Isaiah 61: 1 – 3 is generally accepted to be a prophecy concerning Jesus, but that same Spirit should be anointing the pastors/preachers of today if they would but seek it:
1 “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, Because the Lord has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives,
And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn,
3 To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.”
What more could anyone hope or need to hear from the pulpit but Good News to the poor; Healing for the broken-hearted; Liberty to the captives; Freedom for those who are bound; Consolation for those who mourn; Beauty for ashes; Joy instead of mourning; The Garment of Praise instead of the spirit of heaviness; Forgiveness, Mercy and Grace for the sinner?
Some would have us follow a “Prosperity Gospel” but I like what The Message Bible says in Proverbs 11:28; A life devoted to things is a dead life, a stump; a God-shaped life is a flourishing tree. Kind of echoes Isaiah 61:3b That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.” don’t you think?
I echo the prayer of Michael Haykin: O Lord, humble your people, make them a people of prayer and just practice, zeal for the Gospel and the salvation of sinners, and above all a passion for Yourself and Your glory—revive them, wherever they are.
"If preachers would forget about their own agendas; forget about tickling the ears of the congregation; dispense with the plans and programs; dispose of the legalism and man-made rules and regulations people are supposed to abide by in order to be in “right-standing with the church,” and simply concentrate their efforts on hearing from God and preaching/teaching what God has in mind for that particular part of the Body of Christ, the church as a whole would be a lot better off. Christians would be in much better Spiritual shape and walk in Love instead of condemnation; more would be accomplished for the Kingdom; more people would be called to repentance and be in right-standing with God, (as opposed to the church,) and church growth would take care of itself."
Arthur...PREACH IT BROTHER...
By the way, when are you coming to visit us out Oakville way? I'll show you around a church that I believe has a whole lot of that going on. God is at work.
Now I am really worried! I actually have George agreeing with me!
Just kidding, George.... :)
Thing is, I am no longer making my point from outside the church.
No, really! Believe it or not, this avid anti-organized-church guy has found a church in which God is also at work and with which he can "hook up."
Of course, you do realize that the church to which I am referring was perfect... until I got there. :)