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?
