As a church leader I understand the want to see your church full of people. Empty seats hardly inspire or compare to the thrill of a large crowd gathering for worship. However, is there more to church than a crowd? Is there a more important want and need for the local church than full seats?
Churches full of people look great, but churches full of the Spirit are great!
The church growth movement has offered churches helpful strategies to make congregations more contemporary, outward focused and seeker sensitive. Are good strategies without the Spirit enough?
Church governance has organised churches with systems and structures to effectively manage congregations to be efficient organisations. Are good structures without the Spirit enough?
Church programs provide opportunities for churches to socially connect congregations with community through a variety of activities. Are good social connections without the Spirit enough?
More than size, strategies, systems, structures and social connections, the people of God - who are the church - need to be full of the Spirit of God to be a powerful and positive influence in society. When the people of God are full of the Spirit the growth and impact of the church cannot be contained, as evidenced at Pentecost when 3,000 people were added to the church that day!
We can strive for growth or we can submit to the Spirit who provides the harvest. Results will come through human effort, but REVIVAL will only come when the people are filled with the Spirit and there is a Holy Spirit anointing upon the church.
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