GOD GROWS HIS CHURCH

Tonight I am in Portland, Or at the MFI International conference. Frank Damazio is preaching on Unleashing the Power to Grow. This message is timely, illustrating the power of growth through the early church and Acts. Did you know Jesus' church grew to 10,000 very quickly in it's infancy. From there is spread to multiple churches in many cities. People were added, many were believing, and people of every surrounding nation were being impacted.

Why is it that we church leaders settled or limited growth? Sometimes I find church people slipping into maintaining their spiritual life instead of advancing, growing. Why is it that so many churches are dead, like they've hoisted the white flag of surrender, and are just waiting for "in the event of rapture, this car will be empty?" What is a matter with us when we don't find people--broken, lost, missing, searching--and invite them with us to Sunday morning?

Frank challenged me to these 7 convictions! I accept the challenge. I accept the responsibility to give my life to these. Will you read through these, consider where you are in your convictions about church growth, especially your church?

Seven Settled Ministry Convictions~

1. We will give our lives to starting churches, growing churches and multiplying growing churches nationally and internationally.
2. God wants His church to grow, God wants the church we lead to grow, and no growth is unacceptable.How many people are being saved?How many are being baptized?How many are being impacted?
3. Leading and growing church is a decision, a conviction and a commitment to break through all necessary obstacles.It takes harder work to grow a church than sustain a church.
4. We will deal with all seasons of church growth.Deal with systematic planned out season of growth.Understand there is plateau growth, warfare growth and "less than" growth.
5. Declining or dying churches can be revived and can experience a turn around season.
6. Building a culture of church growth is a God-pleasing and God-ordained attitude.
7. God has opened a door of opportunity for a great season of church.

What do you think? Can you commit to these convictions about your church? If you can then let's begin right now. Prayer this prayer. "God, open the door to my church. Put me in a place of growth to grow my church."

Ok, expect growth...