From Growing Pains to Greater Growth

Acts chapter six is a famous passage about the appointment of the first deacons to serve the church’s practical needs.
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The church had been growing and growing fast. Acts 6:1 recaps this by saying, “Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number…” However, this growth was producing growing pains (much like our children when they grow so fast!). The verse goes on to say, “a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution.”

The cultural Greek believing Jews were coming into conflict with the culturally Hebrew believing Jews over alms to the poor widows. The Greeks felt they were being neglected. This almost certainly wasn’t a sin issue but one of oversight. Rather than seeing this as a crisis the matter was resolved constructively—deacons were appointed and all the widows were cared for.

Luke then tells us about the result in v. 7, “And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.” Overcoming the growing pains led to greater witness and growth!

In recent years, as part of this quiet revival, MBC has grown. In fact, all of the association churches have grown. Our attendance has about tripled and we have about 100+ people regularly worshipping with or connecting with us. Many of the questions that face us—like in Acts— are not sin issues but growth and size issues. I’m heartened to know we are not alone—all of the association churches and many others across the West are experiencing the same growing pains! Addressing those growing pains effectively is key to growing numerically and spiritually.

On this point FEB Central passed along a helpful article to the Elders, which we’ve reflected upon and want to share with you. The article is called “Leadership and Church Size Dynamics” by the late Timothy Keller. In it Keller points out that the change brought about by church growth can feel even greater than the difference between changing denominations! He offers 6 things that are generally needed to grow from a small church (30–100 in Canada) to a medium church (100–250 in Canada).

You’ll notice we are right on that boundary. Those 6 things are:

1. A willingness to embrace necessary change: By necessity a church of 100 is not the same as a church of 40. Change is difficult because it entails loss. However, change is also necessary if we wish to grow.

?-   The elders believe this is in process.

1. A willingness to pay the cost of more staff: One full time lead-elder cannot cover all that is needed in a church of 100+, even if there are other committed leaders and volunteers.

N-   The elders believe this is a short term need, which we’ve already begun to address by discussing an intern.

1. A willingness to let some power shift away from the membership to leaders: Less people can be in the know as the church grows this big. It requires trust of leaders to make day to day decisions.

?-   The elders believe we already have this biblical structure in our elders-led congregationalism model that balances the best of both worlds,  but need to fully embrace it.

1. A willingness to become more formal in their communication: There is a move from word of mouth to the use of a website, newsletter, etc.

Y- The elders, confirmed in the recent survey, believe we are already doing an excellent job here!

1. The ability and willingness of both the pastor and people for the lead-elder (pastor) to do shepherding a bit less and leading a bit more: Like Jethro’s advice to Moses, the pastor will always be available but must make a multiplying investment in other leaders who care for smaller groups, all the while leading and teaching.

X   -The elders believe this is possible but requires more of a culture shift and also more leaders and volunteers.

1. A willingness to consider new or expanded facilities: One needs to have space to grow otherwise people won’t feel welcome and you’ll literally have no where for people to go.

Y- The elders believe this is not a present need thanks to the existence of our wonderful facility.
So we would score 2/2/2. That means we still need to focus on 4 areas.

Our church has been growing, praise God! To avoid bouncing off the glass ceiling and instead moving beyond it, these are some wise considerations we should think about. We want to be like the church in Acts and constructively address matters so that we can continue to be effective witnesses.