Saturday 1 March 2014

Giving members away - the key to growth?

Just a quick thought regarding church growth is that I come across so many places where the people are all inward looking and the last time they send someone off to be trained in any form of ministry in the wider Church was before any of those attending were born.

What makes it fun is that those who see to release their members into serving the wider Church generally find themselves blessed with growth and in fact the more they give away the more they seem to have. That doesn't mean that we do it to get members but it does seem to be the reality that there is a quid pro quo with God and membership.

So, here's a challenge tomorrow- why not take a look at the people around you and ask God what calling they have, for we all have a calling on our life, and then work out how you can support it?

You never know you might be pleasantly surprised (and they may be totally gobsmacked too)!



Let's make 2014 the year when we release our members into their ministry and find the joys of being a 'sending church' eh?


2 comments:

Graham Criddle said...

Hi Vic (good to have you back)

Interesting timing of this post as last weekend we had our church anniversary when we invited back two of our people who went off to train for ministry in September 2012.

It was great to see them, to hear something of what God is doing in them and through them, and to be blessed by their ministry.

Graham

Vic Van Den Bergh said...

excellent - well done!

I think being a 'sending ' church is one of the most important things that a church can be and love to hear of people going off and coming back to bless (and be blessed in equal measure).

I'm not stalking you (honest)

V