Church Growth Hormone - a Biblically Banned Substance
Posted: 12/07/2006
Church Growth Hormone - a Biblically Banned Substance
I used to be a Church Growth Hormone addict. For my first eight years in the ministry, I was on a daily diet of books and videos centered around the latest church fads and trends that focused on church growth. I was on the cutting edge of ministry thinking, learning more and more about marketing and the psychology of connecting people. I believed that numbers equaled success, even if that meant changing the name of the church, offering self-help programs, or implementing any other sort of method I thought would help to boost the numbers.
Like many pastors, I could be compared to a professional athlete when it comes to how we view success and how we perceive we are valued. For an athlete, the math is pretty simple; if you score goals, hit home runs, and nail the three point shot, its all about the numbers. The more successful you are in making the score, in essence, hitting your numbers, the greater your worth. For pastors, it’s the number of people that are sitting in the seats that seems to be the measure of success. This is something, however misguided it may be, that we all strive to obtain. Now, more than ever before, there are numerous books that place emphasis on the subject of church growth and there seems to be a greater desire to be a mega church. This desire then facilitates the thought pattern of, “If I grow the church, I’m doing more for God than the next guy.”
What we have seen in recent news is that many professional athletes have been taking illegal substances to build muscle and strength to improve their performance.These players will do whatever it takes to bump up the numbers that they think give them value. To these players, the end result justifies the means no matter what the side effects. Pastors around the world have come to believe that church growth equals success. Thousands have attended conference after conference, read book after book, and are even listening to audio messages regarding church growth. Just like the professional athlete on steroids, pastors have been caught taking Church Growth Hormones for growth’s sake. Many have seen the fast, “successful” results and have signed on, thus endorsing this dangerous pill. They have improved their performances on Sundays and Wednesdays to attract people. The Church Growth Hormone contains some very ugly ingredients. Let’s take a look.
The ingredients are as follows: man-centered theology, relevant messages that solve people’s problems by meeting their needs, events and programs that reach out to the community, and music that is contemporary and entertaining. For best results, remove pews, dress casual, and install a 5000 lumen projector. If taken weekly and if you follow a regimented marketing strategy, you are guaranteed growth. The side effects may include unbelievers in leadership, false converts, uncommitted members, and shallow minds.
On my own, there is no way that I could see the damaging effects of what I was participating in. To top it off, I was encouraged in this sin by many people. If anyone asked how the church was doing, what they really wanted to know was how our attendance numbers were, not how God was working or what He was doing in our congregation. My world view was filled with garbage and I was blinded. My flesh was in constant need to be validated, which was coming directly from numbers and growth instead of how God was moving. That’s right, I said flesh, and this was my first problem. It was all about me. When I took me out of the equation, my sight started becoming clearer. The Word had to become my number one reference for all things.
After some study, I actually began to be discerning. Those many books that I owned went right into the trash and I learned how to inductively study the Bible.When it came down to it, Jesus basically rewrote the hard drive of my mind. Steering away from a numbers-driven thought process, growing the church was no longer my focus. Now my focus is about training the believer.
"There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." – Proverbs 16:25
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Re: Church Growth Hormone - a Biblically Banned Substance
Posted On: 12/31/06 10:47:22 PM
Age 32, OK
how much have they really grown,growing in numbers or growing in christ?the evangalist I mentioned I think was William Branham. Was shown vision of tying baby shoes church still wearing its baby shoes.Have they filled up their churches with spiritual babies and neglected the meatier things of teachings of our Lord. Lord also showed William Branham about fishing for men, Lord told him to fish like only he taught him to.Then he saw hisself surrounded by other fishermen telling him throw it this way reel it this way. He got his eyes off what Lord called him too listened to man.He showed him how the healing movement would falter.Wide is the Gate that leads to death and destruction,Narrow is the way that leads to life. Take up your cross and follow me. A lot of people that followed Christ fell away when he spoke of his blood and his body not understanding the suffering and sacrifice. He warned his disciples of yeast of Herodians and leaven of pharisees he saw the wrong turns the church would make.His house should be house of prayer deep calleth unto deep,don't neglect deep things of God for shallow thingsor things of babes. Click here to reply to this post
Re: Church Growth Hormone - a Biblically Banned Substance
Posted On: 12/29/06 10:53:35 PM
Age 45, BC
While I do feel that we should be careful in the presentation of the gospel, lets be honest, NUMBERS MATTER. As long as the gospel is being presented in truth and not
being manipulated to draw crowds, then do whatever it takes. How one man or church fishes is up to them, provided it is done in honesty and truth. Face it, we are competing especilly with the media-video game addicted society)with the world for the mind and ATTENTION of people, a whole generation. We need to think in and outside the box. Do we actually believe that everybody that comes through the church doors in these mega events will stay? But if only a few determined people stay to grow and be discipled, then it's worth it, for they will bear fruit in the kingdom. On the day of Pentecost 3150 were added to the church. I do not believe that all of them had it all right. All we need to do is love, teach, and disciple them. As far as putting them in positions of leadership, thats just not wise: train and prove them. Click here to reply to this post
Re: Church Growth Hormone - a Biblically Banned Substance
Posted On: 12/29/06 09:50:03 PM
Age 61, TX
This is a very perceptive article, and it describes what's all around us. Thank God, there are the exceptions, but so many have gone the direction of whatever it takes to get them to show up is what we'll do. We actually were told that our teenagers couldn't focus for longer than 10 minutes on Bible study without getting bored, so the balance of the time was filled with contemporary music. It had become a club. Kids weren't joining, they were coming to see each other. In the sanctuaries, philosophy and psychology is being used in the guise of a sermon. I suppose most of us are aware of a young author/preacher in Houston that is becoming wealthy with his feel-good preaching and his "Best Life Now" book. In a TV interview, he was asked if he had ever attended a seminary, and he stammered and blushed. The answer--finally, when pressured--was no. But he could sure leave a crowd feeling good about themselves instead of about what they'd learned about God, that was Scriptural. I hope he and others like him have inspired some to get in the Bible for themselves and find salvation. I'm not too sure of just how many times he's been an instrument in anyone's salvation. When pinned down, he won't commit on what his position is on many Biblical issues. Is that political correctness in his eyes? What is it in God's eyes? Still, I commend those sincere God-loving pastors who remain steadfast. Click here to reply to this post
Re: Church Growth Hormone - a Biblically Banned Substance
Posted On: 12/16/06 11:52:02 AM
Age 42, VA
I was quite pleased when I read this article. Many churches have developed a "bigger is better" mentality. However, it seems to me that numeric growth -- and the desire for it -- is not a negative, entirely. For example, Christ commanded us to make disciples. In Acts 2, the church grew by 3,000. Later, Luke describes "multitudes" coming to the Lord. In my thinking, the shift has been in emphases. That is, the contemporary church emphasizes growth. The New Testament, on the other hand, emphasizes proclamation. When the latter is executed in power, simplicity, and upon honest hearts, the former will result. Is this not a balanced (and biblical) approach? Click here to reply to this post
Re: Church Growth Hormone - a Biblically Banned Substance
Posted On: 12/13/06 09:28:37 PM
Age 32, OK
I always wondered why king David was punished for numbering the people,never understood why then last yr read article about pride,ambition,glory to self,and that scripture finally made sense.Exalting your position successes never works,exalting God and the Lord does.King Saul messed up by people pleasing not obeying God's commands to him.We don't wanna be fed something that tastes like self help worlds ways there is no spiritual meat in that. When you taste something filling and holy nothing else satisfies its temporary fix.Read about a spiritual evangalist early part healing minstries,Lord gave him a vision were they'd start messing up healing ministry and vision for hisself too fishing, and more fisherman kept trying come show him right way to fish.Much is given much is required want more gotta be trusted with obeying what he gives you to do. Click here to reply to this post
Re: Church Growth Hormone - a Biblically Banned Substance
Posted On: 12/12/06 04:02:19 PM
Age 42, LA
What an encouragement to hear others struggling with the same issues as my family. The article "hit the nail on the head" and the writers of most of the feedback I read were in agreement. Our family would have already stopped going to church if not for the command of the Lord to participate in the fellowship. Our small town has only one church teaching the truth yet it could be labeled "frozen chosen" which is the opposite of the seeker-friendly church and just as unhealthy. I thank the Lord for BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) which my entire family attends. It is the only place we are being fed sound doctrine. My husband has decided that we may just sell our home and move where we find a healthy church in which to plant our family. Click here to reply to this post
Re: Church Growth Hormone - a Biblically Banned Substance
Posted On: 12/12/06 03:17:32 PM
Age 72, VA
This is one of the most perceptive articles I have ever read! Right on!!! Our church has never gone for numbers, but for depth of commitment to the Lord. That is the way to grow - not necessarily the local church, but The Church, the Body of Christ as a whole, because the commited members will become effective witnesses, church planters, missionaries, etc. Click here to reply to this post
Re: Church Growth Hormone - a Biblically Banned Substance
Posted On: 12/11/06 11:10:54 AM
Age 45, IL
Wow! Great post Ray! More folks need to realize what you have learned and get back to the basics.
The difficulty in all of this is that while we are trying to reach the lost, as our main focus, someone along the way has sold us on an idea that "We need a better tool to do the job".
A Phillips screwdriver will drive a screw into the wood just like a power drill with a crosshead tip. But has our impatient nature, microwave mentality, and we want it yesterday motto caused us our own demise?
So we look for ways to "re-invent" the wheel. I don't blame anyone in particular, it is just that man always looks for ways to improve on things. We want to take the "easy way" out to reach the masses. Everyone has desire to please the Lord and grow the kingdom, but are we?
And just because we see church attendance growing, everyone assumes that whatever we are doing must be the right thing.
God looks on the heart, man looks on the outward appearance, so its easy for man to get caught up in that "ends justifies the means mentality."
I remember a time when one of my boys was in wrestling and asked me about taking a hormone drug to help him get bigger and be stronger to compete. I asked him why he thought he needed it? His self-esteem was probably low at that time just starting out and he was a little bit afraid of the guys that he was going up against. He had put his faith in a drug to make him successful. Plus he desired to be powerful.(notice the flesh rising here) I talked with him about his attitude and competing, especially pointing out that in his competition if he used drugs to win then he himself wouldn't be worthy of the win, and he could never really claim success by using something that wasn't God given.
He would then put his faith and trust in an idol...the hormone drug, instead of his God given abilities. Well thank the good God in heaven that my son realized that winning by "cheating" is actually losing. He abandoned the thought and went on to win several matches. His team went onto place 4th in the state finals. Fourth doesn't seem to be that fantastic but for a New wrestler making the team and placing fourth in the state was quite an accomplishment for him.
Is there a lesson here for us? Why do we think that numbers is success? God is looking for "Quality" not quantity. There will be many that say "Lord, lord, and call on His name, but those people will not enter in and forever be separated from God. These are those that claimed to be Christians.
You are correct in your thinking, and I appreciate your article, it resounds truth. Click here to reply to this post
Re: Church Growth Hormone - a Biblically Banned Substance
Posted On: 12/11/06 11:09:41 AM
Age 45, IL
Wow! Great post Ray! More folks need to realize what you have learned and get back to the basics.
The difficulty in all of this is that while we are trying to reach the lost, as our main focus, someone along the way has sold us on an idea that "We need a better tool to do the job".
A Phillips screwdriver will drive a screw into the wood just like a power drill with a crosshead tip. But has our impatient nature, microwave mentality, and we want it yesterday motto caused us our own demise?
So we look for ways to "re-invent" the wheel. I don't blame anyone in particular, it is just that man always looks for ways to improve on things. We want to take the "easy way" out to reach the masses. Everyone has desire to please the Lord and grow the kingdom, but are we?
And just because we see church attendance growing, everyone assumes that whatever we are doing must be the right thing.
God looks on the heart, man looks on the outward appearance, so its easy for man to get caught up in that "ends justifies the means mentality."
I remember a time when one of my boys was in wrestling and asked me about taking a hormone drug to help him get bigger and be stronger to compete. I asked him why he thought he needed it? His self-esteem was probably low at that time just starting out and he was a little bit afraid of the guys that he was going up against. He had put his faith in a drug to make him successful. Plus he desired to be powerful.(notice the flesh rising here) I talked with him about his attitude and competing, especially pointing out that in his competition if he used drugs to win then he himself wouldn't be worthy of the win, and he could never really claim success by using something that wasn't God given.
He would then put his faith and trust in an idol...the hormone drug, instead of his God given abilities. Well thank the good God in heaven that my son realized that winning by "cheating" is actually losing. He abandoned the thought and went on to win several matches. His team went onto place 4th in the state finals. Fourth doesn't seem to be that fantastic but for a New wrestler making the team and placing fourth in the state was quite an accomplishment for him.
Is there a lesson here for us? Why do we think that numbers is success? God is looking for "Quality" not quantity. There will be many that say "Lord, lord, and call on His name, but those people will not enter in and forever be separated from God. These are those that claimed to be Christians.
You are correct in your thinking, and I appreciate your article, it resounds truth. Click here to reply to this post
Re: Church Growth Hormone - a Biblically Banned Substance
Posted On: 12/10/06 08:53:14 AM
Age 68, FL
I too am very concerned with what I see happening in our evangelical churches. To draw the crowds, it is feed, entertain, and make them feel good. There are some good sermons, but I rarely hear ones on "holy living", living seperate lives. I sense a shallow Christianity in these "growth is the measure" churches. As an example: One of our more mature Christian ladies attempted to start a Bible study group. She approached some of the younger, newer members and did not get a favorable response. She was told: "I am a mature Christian, I don't need to attend Bible study." Click here to reply to this post
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