Several years ago, I gave a workshop on mentoring and discipleship at a conference. While some publishers that were exhibiting at the conference offered Bible studies and theology titles for sale, most of the books available focused on tools and tips for church growth.
There is nothing wrong with church growth—we should rejoice when it is prompted by the Holy Spirit’s movement, and when the people who are a part of the movement grow in character and strength to carry God’s message and movement forward. Likewise, a small, faithful and healthy flock is also an indicator that God is at work.
A heart check requires that we acknowledge both small and large churches without shaming, coveting or negating the other. If not, we feed into an American ideal of “success” for God’s people—that bigger equals better, might equals right, and prosperity equals God’s favor. We must be leery when church leaders think they can manipulate a mighty move of God for the church growth they want. Not everything that grows is healthy.
Moreover, if we aren’t careful in examining our motives, we can fall into the trap of pride that tells us we can manipulate or “make” growth happen for our own benefit. James addresses these matters of the heart: “You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with the wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God” (James 4:2-4).
In this same way, Peter exposed the heart of Simon the sorcerer. John and Peter prayed that new believers would receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, for every good and right gift comes from the Lord (James 1:17). Simon desired the gift of the Spirit, but instead of receiving it humbly by faith, he thought that he could buy it, to which Peter responded, “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that he may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart” (Acts 8:20–22).
What we witness in the book of Acts is that God initiates, people respond to the Holy Spirit, their lives are changed, and they continue to share the good news and make disciples. Growth is not the goal of the people. Instead, growth is an indicator that God is at work among them.
Do you want your church to grow? If so, what are your motives? We need to remain faithful in ministry, guard our hearts and trust God for increase.
Natasha Sistrunk Robinson is an author, podcast host, president of T3 Leadership Solutions, Inc., and visionary founder of Leadership LINKS, Inc.