Church Growth and Church Shrinkage

"When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him." ~ Matt 5:1

Jesus became unsettled by large crowds. Whenever the masses started forming around him, he knew something wasn't clicking with them. Jesus' message, when truly understood, was sorrowful. It had a way of dispersing the same crowds who had come to be entertained and healed by him shortly before. The mark of a truly devoted disciple was an escalating progression of commitment to Christ. And Jesus made sure this happened time and again... not only by leading them up physical mountain peaks... but also spiritual ones. Curiosity seekers were constantly being challenged to climb or fall back.

Comments

[Ben Boles]

Do you think maybe for us in our time its the deference those who come to the worship gathering and those who dive deeper and start to serve or get involved in small groups? Or maybe we are thinking it two different directions.

[David]

Ben,

I visit several blogs each day. I visit each of them for different reasons. There are a few I visit because they are like train wrecks... I can't turn away. I visit yours because you are a new generation of pastor, and yet I sense in you a genuine love for the Lord, a real sincerity, and a grasp on the Scriptures that most others of your generation does not seem to have.

May God continue to bless you and Reston Community Church.

Dave

[Donald]

Hey, I got your blog from desertfather.com. Derek and I have known each other for a few years and I follow his blog regularly. I completely agree with this post. I see many churches just wanting to get people in but not concerned about ascending the mountain with Christ. May your church be one of those that takes and leads up the mountain!
God Bless!