By R. A. Pegram Churches can and will grow for many reasons. There are seminars, consultants, videos, and shelves full of books available to instruct on church growth.
Growth can come about by the personality, natural abilities, and winning ways of a pastor.
But sometimes, growth in a congregation can be deceptive. Several years ago, while serving as district superintendent, I observed good growth in a particular church that had a new pastor. The cabinet brought him in from the South and he had a very winning personality. Every time I met with the leaders of that congregation, they enthusiastically praised this young pastor. Needless to say, the growth did not last.