INTRODUCTION
Many Christians say they prefer smaller churches, and in God’s providence, there are many smaller, thriving churches. But it’s worth checking your preferences against God’s word. Are your preferences aligned with biblical priorities? Or are you making your preferences into biblical priorities?
Our church and community have grown significantly over the last few years, and while it is understandable to miss seeing certain friends, we want to make sure that we are processing this growth like believing Christians. So this is a message on big church blessings.
The Texts: “And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be. And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness” (Gen. 15:5-6)
“For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls” (Acts 2:39-41).
“After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; and cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb” (Rev. 7:9-10).
SUMMARY OF THE TEXTS
When God called Abraham, He promised to give him descendants as numerous and glorious as the stars of the heavens, and Abraham believed the promise of God. Justifying faith is, in part, believing the promise to Abraham that his descendants will be numerous (Gen. 15:5-6). At Pentecost, when the Spirit was first poured out and Peter preached the gospel to the Jews gathered for the feast, he referred to the promises to Abraham (Gen. 17:7), and three thousand souls believed and were baptized in fulfillment of that promise (Acts 2:39-41). And having seen the fullness of the tribes of the Jews in Heaven, John turns and sees a great multitude that no man could number of all the nations standing before the Lamb singing praise (Rev. 7:9-10). Part of the glory of Heaven is that it is crowded.
THE BLESSING OF BEAUTY
One of the blessings of bigger churches is the opportunity to cultivate more beauty. Unfortunately, the largest modern churches have often opted for shopping mall efficiency, but in times past they built beautiful cathedrals and supported the arts, particularly with singing, instruments, and music for worship (e.g. 1 Chron. 15-16). Bigger churches often provide the means and personnel to cultivate beautiful worship.
We never want to get the cart before the horse, but it isn’t better to reject carts altogether. Better to worship in a gym or a theater in Spirit and in truth than a cathedral where the Spirit has been driven away by abominations. But better still to worship in the beauty of holiness in every direction. A woman is lovely first of all because she trusts the Lord and has a gentle and quiet spirit, but because she has that inner beauty, it is fitting that she adorn herself to match it (1 Pet. 3:3-5). And so likewise the bride of Christ (Rev. 21:2).
THE BLESSING OF CONCENTRATION
One of the principles of warfare is concentration of force: an army spread out along a vast battle line is not nearly as potent as when it focuses on a particular point. Concentration of resources is also a force multiplier, meaning that the overall momentum is exponentially increased, the sum result is more than all the parts working alone. And therefore, a numerically smaller number can have a disproportionate impact at a decisive point, overwhelming the enemy. “And five of you shall chase an hundred [5%], and an hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight [1%]: and your enemies shall fall before you by the sword” (Lev. 26:8).
This principle applies to evangelism, worship, education, business, and media. Where God’s people band together in humble obedience, there is often a force multiplier.
Of course, this still completely depends upon the blessing of God, and God is always free to save with many or few – like Gideon’s army. But Gideon’s army is actually an example of the principle of concentration – a vastly smaller force amassed at a key vulnerable point.
THE BLESSING OF GIFTS IN THE BODY
When God added thousands to the early church, needs became apparent, and the first deacons were appointed, and the word of God increased and the number of disciples multiplied greatly (Acts 6:7). Likewise, the one body of Christ is made up of many members, with many gifts: the body is not one
member but many (1 Cor. 12). And the body is better and stronger for that diversity of gifts. Some resistance to size can be like the eye saying that it has no need of a hand, but God sets the members in the body as it pleases Him (1 Cor. 12:18-21).
We are in a great war, and when God adds to our numbers and it’s hard to find a parking spot or we have to start another service, our instinct ought to be to think: “so thankful for all the reinforcements.”
THE BLESSING OF A UNITED WITNESS
The early chapters of Acts are sometimes sentimentally romanticized, but it is true that as the thousands of believers “were together” and continued steadfastly in the word and prayers, and cared for one another’s needs, they had “favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily…” (Acts 2:41-47).
We have many opportunities to demonstrate the tangible love of Christ by meeting the needs of the body: new babies, showers, sickness, and unexpected tragedies. Larger churches can rally around in remarkable ways and demonstrate the gospel in action which is an invitation to the world to join us.
CONCLUSIONS
Blessings are heavy, and that means the blessing of growth and numbers brings with it the need for wise administration, organization, and freedom – something that requires regular maintenance. We are striving for an organic unity in Christ, not bureaucratic paper-pushing and bar codes. This is one of the reasons why we have continued to start new services and church plants, while continuing to share office space and staff with the other Kirker churches. All of this requires creativity, grace, wisdom, lots of flexibility, new and more suitable buildings, and more grace, while keeping our eyes on the goal: All of Christ for All of Life for All of Moscow, America, and the World.