Recently I had the opportunity to witness a pastor's conference, and as usual the topic was on "church growth." Now, there is nothing wrong with wanting the local (or global) church to grow. As a living community made alive through the Spirit of God (I Cor. 3), growth is the very thing that should be happening inside the church. However, what upset me was the attitude and solutions given for church growth.Many pastors will confess that the number of people in the local church is important because each person represents a life being touched by Jesus. Well, that would be true if the pastor of the local church was actually preaching the Word of God. Tragically, the solution at the pastor's conference (and on every Christian bookshelf) was on what new words, ideas, and cultural tools could (or should) be incorporated in the local church's message to make it more effective at reaching people. Last time I checked, it was Jesus who said He was going to build (increase) His church and that His work would stand up to the gates of Hell (Matt. 16:18). Maybe that's why most large "pop-culture" churches are so theologically and spiritually weak?
All I know is this: Jesus is the answer for the world. If it was really all about souls as most pastors proclaim, then why not they preach Him alone?
God save us from our foolishness...
