Resources/Articles
Growth Points or Problem Points in the Church
If you asked an elder, a preacher, or any other Christian whether they would rather deal with a church growth matter versus a church problem, they would likely lean toward the church growth matter side every time. However, a church growth matter could be a church problem matter. Some would view a church growth problem as a “good problem to have.” Just considering the matters of growth versus problem, most would elect to deal with growth issues.
The church in Jerusalem experienced both matters. Growth in the church came by leaps and bounds, from 3,000 in Acts 2.41 to 5,000 in Acts 4.4. Although not all of those who became Christians lived in Jerusalem, the majority of them probably did, which created a mighty growth matter for the church to handle. Then, a church problem arose in Acts 6.1-6 from a neglect of widows among the Grecian Jews.
Whether the matter a local church must approach is a growth matter or a problem matter, it is an opportunity to show what God can do in either case, and how God’s church is divinely sufficient to handle any matter. Should we insert the fact humans make up the church as a forewarning to the limitations to the success of handling any church matter? Should we trust in faith the attitudes and patters found in Scripture adopted by all members of the church to resolve whatever matter a church must face? I would rather hold to the latter.
What are some of the growth points and problem points of a local church?
Gossip vs. Edifying Words
There is a lot of chatting going on before a church enters Bible classes or worship services. People are seldom in groups. They are often one-on-one. You are not a bird listening in to the conversation. Sometimes those discussions are full of miles. At times, there are tears shed. Some are full of gossip, misquotes, assumptions, pointing fingers, and lies. Those types of conversations are the preface of church problems, not edification. The words which fill a church with growth potential fill the air before and after an assembly of thanks, good work, love, interest, exhortation, and remembrance in prayer. Those are the words a church expresses to one another all the time, whether there is a death of a church member or someone was just married. In some churches you can hear the tension of a problem escalating. In other churches you hear and see the emphasis of Ephesians 4.29: “Let no corrupt speech proceed from your mouth, but such as is good for edifying as the need may be, that it may give grace to them that hear.”
Fellowship vs. “Dis”fellowship
Some decide church growth or church problems stem from size. The larger the church, the more problems, or the larger the church, the more growth. The smaller the church, the more problems, or the smaller the church, the greatest church growth potential there is due to a tighter nucleus of people who are ready to do the work of the kingdom. Neither is very accurate.
The truth is, fellowship depends on whether or not the brethren in the church desire it. They are all Christians based upon their common faith and obedience to Christ, but are they in “full” fellowship with all the Christians within the local church? Some have a genuine concern for each other. Others do not.
If a death of a member of a church happens, watch what each and every Christian’s response to the news is. If someone is baptized after a worship service, watch what each and every Christian’s response is. Whenever a success or disappointment occurs within a church, there will be a problem or a growth moment based upon the fellowship desired by each member. Gloom and doom or jealousy and strife may raise their heads or rejoicing and hugs, offers to serve, and invitations to eat together will come. A growth sign is turning to God and one another, seeking help and advice, asking for prayers, looking for support and strength, and offering to give all of this when needed. In a word, it is fellowship. A problem sign is hearing, “No one cares about me,” wanting to be alone - not accepting phone calls, avoiding friends, just sitting in a pew, and not asking for help or prayers. In a word it is “dis”fellowship.
Hang Around vs. Scatter
When the last “Amen” is said, where do Christians go? Because of tension, church problems, or “dis”fellowship, they scatter. Two-thirds or more of the attendance empties out as fast as a subway stop in New York City. Everyone goes their way. This is one spot where church problems arise: When Christians are ready to go as soon as they arrive to an assembly.
Members of a growing church with joy and appreciation in their hearts arrive in the parking lot and get out of their cars chatting, smiling a lot, hugging, and having deep conversations, and they hang around for a while. They are not in any hurry to leave each other’s company. They would like to speak to everyone. They wish they had more time. They love getting to know one another more. It keeps them out of the world’s pace and into an exhorting walk with God. They wish each other a “good night,” “good day,” or “good afternoon,” and say, “I look forward to seeing you again.” They schedule other times, maybe daily, to get together and see one another again (Acts 2.46). Relationships develop. Good is the result. Growth is the outcome. Visitors are impressed. It is not on the schedule, but it is a church “growing moment.”
While some act as though gathering in an assembly is like sitting and waiting at a dentist office, where no one speaks, would rather be anyplace else, and are ready to get out as soon as they can, others follow the thinking of Psalm 122.1: “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of Jehovah.” They look forward to “the day drawing nigh” (Hebrews 10.25).
Give Attention vs. Let It Go
Would a church grow if there never was a problem? Probably not. The church problem in Acts 6 with the neglected widows needed attention. To let it go and wait to handle it at a later time would frustrate the brethren into strife, anger, and dissension. It is hard to know how long this had been happening before it was brought before the apostles. It may have been before some of them were Christians, and since becoming Christians, the need was still there.
The problem was given immediate attention, men were chosen to see about it, action was taken to resolve the matter, and the apostles were still able to keep their focus on ministering in the word. The church grew because a problem was handled in godly manner. No one’s pride got in the way. No one pawned off the matter upon some other agency. There were no hurt feelings. This was a Spirit-led moment of growth where the church as a whole took care of a problem. “And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem exceedingly” (Acts 6.7).
Is the church where you worship more involved with “growth points” or “problem points?” It depends upon heart, attitude, action, interest, godliness, truth, and priority.
