Back on the topic of church growth, the irony is that service is the ultimate church growth model. The best church growth plan was the first church growth plan – from Acts. It was about healing, feeding and selling all they owned to help those in need. It wasn’t having a top-notch worship band or the most inspirational sermons. Those all helped then and help now too, but demonstrating God’s love rather than talking about it is far more powerful. Like the old adage says, “Preach the gospel at all times – If necessary, use words.”

I spent my business career in strategy consulting to Fortune 500 companies, primarily focused on Customer Relationship Management. What we taught large corporations about how to grow was the same lesson that applies to churches. If you’re too focused on what’s happening inside the organization, then you’re dying. As soon as your focus turns outward, then you’ll thrive. Bureaucracy, politics, fixing processes, making things run smoothly are all part of organizational life – but the more we can look beyond them to serve the needs of our customers or our community, the faster we’ll grow.

Beyond all that – it’s what Jesus did. Jesus knew that people often can’t see past their physical needs to even think about their spiritual needs. He knew He had to meet them right where they were. That’s why Jesus (almost) always met a need before He told them who He was. He fed, healed or counseled those in need (e.g. the woman at the well) – then He told them He was the Son of God.

Yet our churches more often than not do the opposite. We tell them about Jesus first. We come up with creative evangelism and outreach programs to draw people into our church and lead them to Christ. TO BE CONTINUED…