Many churches are on the decline, although not all. I decided to study the most successful and see what the secret to growing a successful church is all about. So who was the most successful leader of all time at establishing a church?
Hmmm . . . Mega churches abound and that did cross my mind, but as it often does my mind went to Jesus Christ. He didn’t monitor attendance, giving, number of staff, number of programs, or even square footage and yet He was the greatest church Leader of all time.
But you might say that He didn’t have powerful bands, light shows, deafening sound system, plays with live animals and dancing girls, programs innumerable, or a fancy auditorium, huge office with staff at His beck and call, a private plane, or even a Starbucks inside His church.
All true. What He did have was an unblemished approach to preaching the Gospel pure and unadulterated. He didn’t alter the Word of God to gain favor from the masses who did not want to change their sin filled lives. He spoke the truth and yet was loving and accepting of anyone and everyone, no matter how “low” their position in life or gravity of their sins. He was full of mercy and compassion. He came to save the world not condemn or judge it. He lived His ministry, preaching, teaching, and helping virtually everyone with whom He came in contact. His few examples of righteous anger were reserved for the most religious people on the planet the Pharisees. He called them hypocrites and a brood of vipers putting impossible demands upon the people among other things, and He hated how they had turned His Father’s House the temple into a money making machine.
So would such a message work today? I believe preaching the Gospel pure and unadulterated is our only hope. It has a power that transcends time and all the demons in hell cannot escape its burning truth. People yearn for the truth and want to know of the hope that can only come from God.
Additionally walking the walk and living a humble life of service, kindness, mercy, compassion, and love for all will do more to win souls than all the programs man or woman could devise. Trying to please the Father and not a politically correct society was the primary goal of Jesus Christ and He accomplished it.
Today even though many have tried, none have succeeded in stamping out His church. His ministry only lasted three years and yet He has had the greatest impact on the world with no one else even coming close. So the secret to ending a declining church is to seek first to please the Father. There is no better way to do that than to follow Jesus Christ. If you have made a decision to follow Christ and received Him as your Savior, accepted the fact that He is the Lord and almighty Son of God who died in your place to take your punishment, and have repented or turned from your former sinful ways, then you are a part of His church. It is not about denominations, preachers, buildings, or television broadcasts; it is about following Christ and emulating him. Remember this if nothing else: All power and authority within the church derive from Jesus Christ as the head. He wants a relationship with you and me His beloved children whom He died for.
Selah . . .
Eph. 1:22
And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
December 1, 2015 – Click here to listen