JAMES B. LONGLEY, who would one day become the governor the Maine was selected by his peers as one of the outstanding members of his college class…
At the conclusion of his graduate ceremony, Longley’s mother took him aside and gave him a piece of sobering advice.
She said, “Jim, I was very proud of you today, and I think you will win many honors in your life.
But keep this in mind – despite the honors, there’s one circumstance more than any other that will determine the turnout at your funeral. . .and that will be…the weather…”
THOUGHT: Sometimes we need to be reminded that we’re not quite as grand as we would have ourselves to believe.
“For I say through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly. . .” (Rom. 12:3a).
“God loves you and I love you and that’s the way it’s gonna be!” – Mike
THE SECRET TO church growth is really no secret. . .
It is plainly revealed within the pages of God’s Word.
You don’t have to travel hundreds of miles to a soul-winning workshop to unlock the secret of church growth.
You don’t have to travel to the bookstore to purchase the latest volume written to reveal the mystery of church growth.
Just travel over to the bookcase, pull down your copy of the sacred writings, open it to the New Testament and start reading.
Read of the life and ministry of Jesus.
Read of how Jesus preached peace and went about doing good (John 16:33; Acts 10:38).
Read of how He demonstrated His love for the lost (Mark 10:21; John 15:13).
Read of how He spoke the truth in love without ever compromising (Mat. 15:3-14).
Read of the Jerusalem church and their common love for Christ and one another (Acts 2:44-47; 4:32-37).
Read of how the first century Christians went everywhere preaching the Word (Acts 8:4).
Read of the tremendous sacrifices endured by the Apostle Paul so that the cause of Christ might be advanced (2 Cor. 11:23-28).
Note the duties and qualifications of elders and deacons (1 Tim. 3:1-13).
Read the epistles to understand God’s will for each member of the Lord’s body.
After you’ve read and read and read some more, read Revelation 1:3 to learn that just reading is not enough.
We must read and then live out that which we have read.
What is the secret to church growth?
When preachers speak the truth in love (Eph. 4:15), and reprove, rebuke and exhort with all longsuffering (2 Tim. 4:2), the church will grow.
When elders shepherd the flock properly under the direction of the Chief Shepherd (1 Pet. 5:1- 3), the church will grow.
When deacons serve well, the church will grow (1 Tim. 3:13; Acts 6:1-7). When each member seeks to live like Christ and to love like Christ, the church will grow.
Simply put, the church will grow when every part of the body does its share (Eph. 4:16).
This is God’s plan and it will not fail! B.J. Clarke
“God loves you and I love you and that’s the way it’s gonna be!” – Mike
INCARNATE 