Growing Churches or Growing Disciples?

For the last several years there has been a contagious spiritual epidemic plaguing church leaders--its called the "church growth movement."

Everyone wants their church to grow, and certainly this is God's desire (1 Cor. 3:7). But there is a difference between fast numerical growth of church-attendees and the slow steady growth of individuals into true disciples of Jesus Christ. Ultimately, our desire should not be congregational church growth so much as the increase of Heaven's population. Gimmicks and church programs may quickly attract large numbers to fill the pews, but only the patience and instruction in discipleship will grow the Lord's kingdom. Unfortunately, in our fast past society most of us are unwilling to put in the time it takes to "make disciples" (Matt. 28:18), we had rather grow churches.

As it turns out, not only is it more Biblical to grow disciples rather than churches, it is more effective. The recent "church growth" movement has been led by "mega-churches" like Willow Creek and the Saddleback Church. Recently, Bill Hybels of the Willow Creek Church made this revealing confession:

"We made a mistake. What we should have done when people crossed the line of faith and become Christians, we should have started telling people and teaching people that they have to take responsibility to become ‘self feeders.’ We should have gotten people, taught people, how to read their bible between service, how to do the spiritual practices much more aggressively on their own."

As it turns out, elaborate church programs, involvement groups, and church-growth gimmicks may quickly grow a forest full of little trees, but there is no depth of soil and no roots and so the trees cannot stand. No quick-fix method of church growth can replace the tried and true disciplines of personal Bible study, prayer, and genuine relationships with fellow Christians.