Many a congregation has learned the hard way that church growth is a two-edged sword. Church growth is a complicated phenomenon that raises new problems and thorny issues not all congregations are ready for. Let s turn our attention to some of the tougher questions raised by church growth.
Mixed motives can be a real problem in the church that s rearing to grow.
The laudable desire to see more people participate in congregational life can sometimes be overshadowed by the desire for bigger budgets and better buildings. The quest to attract new members may lead to show biz entertainment in worship and to slick marketing that would be the envy of General Motors. Church growth is all about ministry, not materialism. God will use the church that ministers well to serve more and more members. Maybe your growth is actually due to your relocation in a booming part of town, or to a revitalized visitation program.