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Unidiversal Charismatic Christian Faith & Diversity Evangelism Occasional Newsletter

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I Dream Of A Church

Charismatic churches are the fastest and most constantly growing over several decades, and the largest non-annexing churches in world history.  Though numbers are not to be priority over service to God, they are evidence of doing something right.  However; “Past accomplishment is the greatest hindrance to future growth,” and Charismatic churches are no exception to that rule.  Here are a few points to think about when it comes to seeing through the dark glass of successful churches more clearly.

The United States population is growing at a rate of 2.5 million people (.7 %) per year.  The global population is growing by 90 million people (1.3 %) per year.  Christian believers overall are growing at about 1.38 % annually, less than each other main religion, even though it currently has more adherents than any other.  Combined with the population of non or anti-religious population, numbers of Christian believers are losing past ground gained at great sacrifice at an enormous pace. And even though Charismatic churches are growing faster than any denominational churches overall, they are still decreasing compared to United States and global populations.  There are less people per capita participating in church services now than in every decade past.  (Note: these numbers are consistent from numerous national, international, and statistical resources reviewed for this commentary)

It’s time to get our heads out of the clouds and take a real look at past services with new attitudes, be flexible enough to see what God has used to bless growing churches within the past, and learn to follow God’s lead for future growth.  It is truly time to stop being overwhelmed by numbers and start following Gods lead into the super-mega-church millennium.  Without super-mega-churches God’s Will, for every person to be reached and have the loving support of the body of Christ has no chance of being fulfilled.  Want to keep your church small in a super-mega-growth world?  Think about whether you are really being obedient to God’s call to reach ALL people with the Gospel or not.  In order to stay small this day in time a church must be choosing to discourage many people from participating, thereby adding to or taking away form the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

I dream of a church where the five fold ministry fulfills God’s calling not to be the pinnacle of ministry but to equip the congregation to ministry in every way possible; not forcibly but by being open to the call of God in each person’s life; not rigid or discriminately but with flexibility in faith that God is above it all and our faith need not be shaken by imperfect human tendencies mixed with our faith: Discouragement reigns where fear persists in churches. (“For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.”  I Corinthians 13:12)

More than not, my experience and observation has been that churches and ministries want to be seen as the goal of ministry instead of the conduit of ministry.  As odd as it may seem, hesitation to grow and equip unlimited participation has been caused and compounded by fear that someone might do or say something amiss or out of line with the churches leadership.  But rather than build on the true flexibility that accompanies faith by adjusting training making every effort to side with and encourage willing participants growth, leadership is willing to cut losses of new growth for the safety of ministry limited to the pew.  Fear is the star roll of churches that choose limited growth in a world paining for birth multiplied times faster than churches are prepared for.  May God’s mercy be on us for our understated shortcomings in this area for if Gods’ enemy is going to gain ground it is going to continue being in the church rather than outside where satan has no concern.

Think it's easier said than done?  Think about the alternative and open the doors, let the faith we claim shine.

(You are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.  You are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.  Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it gives light to all that are in the house.  Matthew 5:13-15)

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