Growth = Change

by Pastor Larry Bennett

Someone has said that the only thing certain about life (outside of death of course) is change. Life changes daily for most of us and change is always present where there is growth. Nothing can grow and develop without changing. Growth = Change.

That's true with our physical lives. A baby is born that will one day grow into adulthood but that growth cannot take place properly unless the body changes. No one can be an adult and still possess the body of a baby.

Growth = Change is a true equation when it comes to our spiritual lives as well. When we trust in Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, we are just starting out in our spiritual lives. Growth and development come to us spiritually over a period of time but spiritual growth and development can occur only as we are willing to change our lives to reflect Christ. That is, only as we change area after area of our lives to reflect what God desires will we experience spiritual growth. Roman 12:2 says, "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will." 

Growth = Change is also a true equation for a church. No church can grow and develop into the one God desires without change. A resistance to change maybe why some churches never grow or grow so little. (It also maybe the reason why some individuals do not keep growing spiritually.)

God has blessed us as a church over the past years. Even this January our attendance is 10% over last year's in our worship services. People are coming searching for Christ, for a changed life, or for a church home. We rejoice in God that He continues to bless us with such growth, but at the same time, we understand that such growth will continue to mean change as a church. It may mean staff changes, program changes, class changes, and ministry changes. All changes are made to help us as a church: reach more people with the Gospel of Christ, disciple more people and continue to grow and develop into the church God calls us to be. As someone has said, "We are either moving forward or backward in our lives. No one ever stays the same." That is true for us as individuals in our spiritual lives and it is also true for us as a church. I am grateful that we, as a church, are continuing to move forward. It makes church and life exciting and rewarding. 

Because of the growth we are experiencing we thought it might be helpful for you to understand the differences between a small church (a "neighborhood" church) and a church our size (a "metropolitan" church). Recently on Insight for Living Chuck Swindoll presented a brief study on the characteristics of different sized churches. A few of his comments follow and a chart below summarizes the differences. Please take a few minutes to look it over and hopefully it will help you understand these differences.

Growing together,
Pastor Larry Bennett

Two Different Styles of Churches

Excerpts from Charles Swindoll

We're all different. Some of us like the opportunities and excitement of a large congregation; others feel lost in a crowd and prefer a smaller, more intimate fellowship. It's easy to point out advantages or disadvantages of either one... but instead, let's accept and even celebrate the fact that churches of all sizes can find God's favor.

It's important to note, though, that churches of different sizes operate and think differently. The mentality of a small, neighborhood church differs greatly from that of a large, metropolitan one.

An "Adopt a Christmas Family" Experience 

by Libby Smith

One Sunday morning at the urging of the Holy Spirit, we volunteered to help with the adoption of a family for Christmas. From past experience, I've learned that obeying God always brings wisdom, blessing and awe. He is always so faithful to work out the details for me so I tend to feel more like a vehicle than a driver. Our class was so generous in their gifts of money and I prayed that enough would be gathered to not only to buy gift certificates for food and clothing but toys for the five children. That prayer was graciously answered.

I spoke with the mother of our adopted family, Lisa, on the phone and arranged a time that was convenient for her. I remember thinking what a pretty and endearing voice she had. It made me think that she probably has a tender spirit.

Later, as I drove to her house to deliver the gifts and began to realize where she lived a great fear came over me, "What if this is a trap?", and "What if my car is vandalized while I'm inside?" I prayed asking God for His peace if there was nothing to fear. His tender peace washed over me and I proceeded. As I walked up to the door, I thought what classic brick duplexes these were and how they could be situated in any neighborhood. A shy but curious preschooler announced my arrival. Lisa invited me in for a cup of coffee. The first thing I noticed was a Christmas tree covered with bows which Lisa said she made. All her decorations and many winter clothes were destroyed in the recent flooding of her basement. A beautiful baby in a walker hovered near us tended by the little boy who had greeted me.

We began talking immediately and without hesitation for over an hour about our jobs in the health care profession, our children, our walk with the Lord over the years, our disappointments and struggles and our present loves and blessings. I was struck by the common ground we had traveled and the present concerns we now shared. Foremost, we share the battle for the souls, minds, and bodies of the children the Lord blessed and entrusted to us. And we both struggle to live a life that is honoring to the Lord who so graciously saved us.