Is Growth Good?
What does the Bible say about growth?
Even a cursory look at the New Testament reveals a godly growth bias.
For instance, the Apostle Peter challenges us to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18, ESV).
Similarly, the Apostle Paul says that “we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ” (Ephesians 4:15b, ESV).
So personal spiritual growth is clearly a goal we should pursue.
But what about church growth?
The Apostle Paul gives us the answer. When a church is healthy, “the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God” (Colossians 2:19b, ESV).
It’s also why Luke reports with approval in the book of Acts: “And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith” (Acts 6:7, ESV).
To be sure, healthy church growth is not one-dimensional.
As Pastor Rick Warren has put it: “Every church needs to grow warmer through fellowship, deeper through discipleship, stronger through worship, broader through ministry, and larger through evangelism.”
Healthy, multi-dimensional church growth occurs when the message is biblical, the mission is balanced, the methods are effective, and the motive is God’s glory – all empowered by God’s Spirit.
So, what about you? Do you have a growth bias?
I hope you will join me today in making a fresh, new commitment to godly growth – both personal spiritual growth and healthy church growth.
Growth is good and glorifies God!
Your Pastor and Friend,
