East Gippsland Gospel

When I speak of Church in this article I’m speaking of a Local Assembly.

Jesus said that He will build His Church and that it will endure (Matthew 16:18). He also said that His people are to make Disciples and teach them thoroughly (Matthew 28:19-20).

As I watch Local Churches in their outreach activities today (assuming they have some) I often observe people who are not Born-Again being squeezed into the congregation in the name of grace and non-judgement. (Acts 2:47 tells us that Jesus adds those who are “saved” to His Church.)

Some Churches seem to have reversed the words of Jesus and see it to be their responsibility to grow their congregation, and leave it to Jesus to do the “teaching all things”.

Jesus is more interested in growing His Kingdom, in seeing His Body grow, than he is the size of a particular congregation.

The often insular obsession in congregation size seems to be there to meet needs that are born in insecurity and pride. I say this humbly because I too have had responsibility for a local Church and know the temptations, especially when attending ministers’ meetings.

All Christians need to be submitted to some sort of small group for accountability which promotes safety and growth. How much more-so do those in leadership need the same?

The God of grace and love will only allow one’s ministry to grow to a ceiling above which the minister would likely be destroyed. That’s mercy.