Where do we grow from here?

What size congregation do we want our church to become? Why should we place a cap on it?

Then a final question arose, which I believe was asked by the Holy Spirit.

What if, instead of having all the answers, we simply take one step at a time?

I do not have all the answers for your local church. I am primarily writing about how the Holy Spirit is leading Harvest Christian Center. But I believe these principles can inspire any congregation that desires to grow.

I know God wants to grow His Church. I am also confident that He wants to use our congregation to build His Kingdom. For us, the word GROW means God Reaching Our World.

Our desire to reach lost people on the outside must be greater than our desire to satisfy saved people on the inside. We will not neglect the saved to reach the lost. But our focus must remain on the spiritually lost and unchurched people in our community.

Why? Because Jesus came to save lost sinners. The New Testament makes this abundantly clear (click the link).

How will we GROW? These three principles must guide us concurrently.

1. We will grow better by acting bigger.
   
   We do not deserve to grow bigger unless we are also getting better. We should never stop improving.
   
   We have designed our services differently from many of the traditions of our past. We are continually improving our hospitality processes. We are strengthening our structure and systems.
   
   In essence, we are learning to act bigger than we are.
   
   Our ministries should function well enough to handle twice our current attendance. Growth should never surprise us so much that we are unprepared to serve the people God sends.
   
   This is how we grow together.
   
   
2. We will grow bigger by thinking smaller.
   
   We can only grow bigger if we are willing to get smaller.
   
   As we expand our times and spaces, our capacity for outreach grows. Rather than gathering everyone in one crowded service that pushes us to the limits of our campus, we create room for more people by offering a second worship opportunity.
   
   We are also open to adding more groups as the right leaders are recruited and equipped. These smaller groups enable us to love people, build relationships, and grow as Christians.
   
   We increase our ministry impact by expanding our ministry capacity.
   
   This is how we grow out.
   
   
3. We will grow smaller by making sacrifices.
   
   We will only become small enough to grow bigger if we are willing to sacrifice personal preferences.
   
   As we humble ourselves and serve selflessly, God will lift us according to His will.
   
   Growth requires many small changes from people who are already doing so much. Some families may commit to a different service time. Some volunteers may change teams. Others may accept entirely new assignments.
   
   These adjustments are not always easy. But they are often necessary if we are serious about making room for the people God wants us to reach.
   
   This is how we grow up.

Here’s what I’m telling my congregation.

“We’ve been growing because you’ve been inviting your friends. We remain committed to the Great Commission and the Great Commandment. We are helping people find salvation and new life in Jesus Christ.

But we’ve discovered that if we do not make changes, we will eventually have to change who we are. We would no longer be a church focused on outreach because we would no longer have room in our parking lot or seats in our worship center.

So, we have decided to make room for the people God will send and the people you will invite. Believers are bringers.”

By God’s grace, this is how we will GROW. He alone gives the increase. But He has given us the responsibility to grow up, grow out, and grow together.

And that’s three surprising ways your church can grow too!

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Harvest Christian Center lives to love people, grow Christians, and multiply leaders.