The work of church growth belongs to the church, the whole church.  Effective church growth is an invitation to come and see.  To come and see what Christ is doing in the community that He raises up, that is, the church.  The real purpose of church growth is not to expand the church but to enable others to build a relationship with Christ.  If we introduce someone to Christ or deepen their relationship with Christ, the church will grow.  In church growth, as in many things in life, the intention is at least as important as the outcome, and intention affects the outcome.   

I have seen churches try to do evangelism because of desperation and it rarely works. The motivation needs to be one of faithfulness to Christ and concern for our neighbors.  God blesses this evangelism rooted in these motivations: the love of God and the love of neighbor; because it pleases God, and our neighbors recognize our genuine concern for them. 

More than ever people want authenticity from churches and clergy.  We live in a time where the church has gone through great scandals and people’s trust in the church is low, but true authenticity can overcome people’s preconceptions about the church.   

The other element necessary is some excitement about the church, your church, and what God is doing in it.  If you are not excited, if you are not enthusiastic how can you expect to encourage others to come and see what Christ is doing?  If you want to grow the Kingdom, love your neighbors by loving God.  Express to them the excitement you feel for your church.  If you are not excited about the church, do something to get excited!  Help the church do something that makes you excited because those who are enthusiastic about their relationship with God and with His church can draw others into a relationship with Christ and with the church.   

So, invite someone to come and see enthusiastically and they may stay and serve Christ authentically alongside you. 

Peace,

Burt