There’s something ironic about how stuff comes up to try and get you down – Satan trying to get in the way of going what you’re trying to do.
The ironic bit – preaching about growth when the attendance at church for that service is at its lowest for an awfully long time. Maybe it’s because the heating’s off while pipes are dug up and replaced, maybe it’s something else, who knows? But I’ve got my sense of humour, and I won’t take it personally.
I’m passionate about my church. I’m passionate about seeing it survive it’s current challenge – an ageing membership and few new members. I want to see it grow, not just numerically, but more importantly, spiritually. I want to see people passionate about their faith. Passionate about exploring the scriptures. Passionate about followings God’s call on their lives.
The church won’t grow numerically if it’s not growing spiritually. A church not growing isn’t standing still, it’s dying. It’s the same with your faith – if your faith is not growing then it’s dying (backsliding).
We in the church need to desire growth, and to pursue it. It’s hard work, and takes conscious effort, but the reward is worthwhile.
The great commission as recorded at the end of Matthew’s gospel tells us to make disciples. The first step of this is to grow ourselves. Through faithful obedience to this call we will see growth. Growth of ourselves and of our church.
We must desire to continually seek God and respond to the Holy Spirit, to grow on our faith and understanding – the pursuit of growth.