February 18, 2008
Praying for Church Growth

In the book of James it says, “The prayer of a righteous man is effective and powerful.”  In the study on James we have been using a study guide by Max Lucado.  On that passage he asks the question.  “If God is able to do great things when we pray, what are some great things that you would like to see God do in your life or in the lives of others?  and then he asks, “What commitment are you willing to make to pray for these things?”   

To me these were very thought provoking and challenging questions.  As I thought about the first question what came to my mind was the idea of church growth.  I have believe for some time that our church has the potential of seeing some real growth, both numerically and spiritually.  Our average attendance is 120 in worship on Sunday morning.  I believe we have the existing members, and the ability to attract new members that would make it very possible to increase this average to 150 within 2 or 3 years.  When I thought about the question, “what are some great things that you would like to see God do …” that is what came to mind.  I would like to see God work in our midst to see growth in our worship attendance – AND a deepening spiritual commitment within our church.   

Then I read the second question, “What commitment are you willing to make to pray for these things?”  I realized I had “thought” about church growth.  I had “desired” church growth.  I had not, however, committed myself to praying on a regular basis for church growth.   

If you are interested in seeing our church grow, both in numbers and in spiritual commitment, then I invite you to commit yourself to praying  that God would work in and through us to bring about that growth.  Let’s not just think about growth, or desire it, or dream about it – let us commit ourselves to pray for it. 

The next two weeks I am going to continue pondering on church growth.  Next week I will discuss “Why would we want growth?”  The following week I will ponder on what we need to do to allow God to work through us to bring about growth.

 Blessings and Peace,

Pastor Paul