Convictions & Lessons - Part 2

Back to the book I feel is so important to our learning how to continue to grow as a church, Go Big! by Easum & Cornelius. What are some of the other important points?

• We must grow more leaders if we really expect to continue to grow. While we have a very high percentage of people involved in ministry (and that's a great thing), we are "leader-poor". More of us have to step up to the plate and be willing to lead people and ministries. With leadership comes higher standards and higher accountability.
• We all need to encourage the development of a "farm system", much like Major League Baseball uses. In other words, each of us who is already in a responsibility, needs to call someone alongside us to be training and developing. Every teacher needs to be growing a new teacher who can take over the class or be sent out to start a new group. The same goes for greeters, musicians, prayer-warriors, and everyone else doing a ministry in the church.
• As pastor, I must grow spiritually or the church will not grow spiritually or numerically. "You simply can't give what you don't have. And the larger a church grows, the more it relies on the spiritual growth of it's leader." (p. 72)

God's Plan for His Church's Spiritual & Numerical Growth is based on Ephesians 4:11-13:

• Pastors do the equipping/training of Christians for service
• The People do the work of God
• As a result, the church is built up;
• And unity is experienced

Finally, Easum & Cornelius make the comment that growing churches handle problems and problem-people quickly, directly, lovingly, and firmly. We must know and use Matthew 18 as our guide for personal relationships and conflicts.