The Bible says, “Where there is no vision, the people perish” (Proverbs 29:18 KJV). Clear expectations are critical to a church’s health and growth, and a lack of clarity can cause a church to atrophy. Leaders, ministers, and pastors have the opportunity—and challenge—to communicate the Church’s mission to their congregations.
What is that mission? God is clear about His desire for the Church: He wants our faithfulness and fruit to grow. God calls individuals to abide and grow in him as branches grafted into the vine, and He calls the Church as a body to be fruitful in every aspect of life—numerically, in capacity, and in reach.
Here are three practices leaders can prioritize to help prepare themselves, their staff, and their churches for the growth that God calls us to:
1. Foster a desire to grow. Growth means change, and it’s easy to feel resistant to change. If leaders simply maintain what is, forward momentum is halted.
2. Continually water the soil of your life through personal study of Scripture, and cultivate a spirit of prayer for the people of God and for your community. The Lord’s sheep will gather and be fed when the grass is green and fresh.
3. Build the systems and structures that will sustain the anticipated growth. This may look like rhythms of discipleship in your community, physical structures and spaces for people to gather, or systems of organization that will help your team be able to say yes to new opportunities.
Our prayer at CDF Capital is that ministers, leaders, and preachers will answer the call to be co-laborers toward God’s vision of increase. Will you pray with us?
“Lord, we want to see your Church grow. We want to see your people live out the light of the good news in their homes, workplaces, and communities. We want to see those who do not know you respond to the work you are already doing in their lives. Give courage to our leaders, to our ministers, and to our pastors to submit to the Spirit in all things in anticipation of transformation and growth.”
