WHY SOME CHURCHES GROW

Recently, I read in a bulletin that came to my desk the following: How To Commit Spiritual
Suicide--Don't Study--Don't Pray--Don't Attend--Don't Work.

Sometimes it is necessary to deal in a negative manner to attract attention to the dangers around
us.  Someone has said: "When Christians are safe and comfortable, the church is in its greatest
danger."  This should makes us pause and think.

Today I want us to think and study about positive actions of the church.  Eliminate the negative
and actuate the positive.

What will make a congregation grow?  How can we be involved in building a strong
congregation.

I.  THE CHURCH GROWS WHEN THERE IS A DEEP COMMITMENT TO CHRIST ON         
    THE PART OF CHURCH LEADERS.
     A.  Where there is no vision the people perish.  Pr.29:18.
           1.  A church will not out grow its leadership.
           2.  Leaders of the congregation must be men who can be counted as examples.
                a.  Looked up to.
                b.  Judgment is trusted.
                c.  Can inspire and warm the heart.
                d.  Can communicates with the church.
    B.  The beginning of leadership is a battle for the hearts of people.
          1.  Absalom stole the hearts of many subjects of his father--David - 2 Sam.
          2.  The Devil, today, is struggling for the hearts of the people--church members.
          3.  We must have men who through commitment can rally men and women to battle for      
               the Lord in His Army--the church.  
          4.  John 4:15.  This man was eager to tell others--even the enemies of the Lord--what the    
               Lord had done for him.
          5.  1 John 5:3.  If we truly love the Lord our conduct--our love will show itself in                 
               obedience.
    C.  Leadership is more than decision making.  Decisions have to be made and we, the               
          membership should do all we can to make their decision making as pleasant as possible.
    D.  Leaders of congregation must spend a lot of time in study and meditation.  Motivating         
          people is one of the hardest tasks in the world.
    E.  Leadership is creating action and followship.  Notice not fellowship but followship.
    F.  From what we have said we could sum it up this way: True attributes of leadership are:
         Character; Decision and Action.

II.  THE CHURCH GROWS WHEN THERE IS A DEEP SENSE OF THE MISSION OF THE     
      CHURCH.
      A.  Luke 19:10.  This was the mission of Jesus.
      B.  John 17:17-19.  
     C.  Christ came to bring a message of salvation to lost man.    Christ came to establish the       
           church through which this message is to be made known to man - Eph 3:10.

CONCLUSION: One can see that if  these two steps are followed the church will have a better
leadership and the church will grow.  Plan of salvation.