The 200 curse!!!

[Falla39]

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

One suggested reason for smaller churches not being able to grow is because of generations of the same family attending and thus making it difficult, politically, for newcomers to join. It is good for family members to fly the coop (and their hometowns) when they reach adulthood -probably a very similar to the reason that God confused mankind's languages.

God told Noah to build an ark to the saving of his own house! Noah preached
and buillt that ark but evidently no one believe him but his own house. His own
family were the only ones saved too! There would have been room if they
had listened and believed Noah. I believe every home should be an ark for a
man's own house. The church my late father founded before any of us eleven
siblings married, is now where three generations of my own family worship to-
gether. A place prepared that where HE IS, they can be also! Where is HE!
IN HIS PEOPLE! The House of the LIVING GOD!

Falla39

[unitedpraise10]

Originally Posted by aegsm76

the 200 barrier is due to the fact that this size is about the largest that one pastor can effectively handle. If a pastor is less effective, than the number will be smaller. If he is more effective, than it will be larger.
If you find a pastor who has a great passion for souls and is a fantastic "manager" than you wind up with a church that will grow and grow!
The best growing church that i ever attended was/is pastored by a man who did not begin pastoring until he was in his 40's. He was a good business man and has applied a lot of the principles in his managing of the church.
Consequently, in 15 years, he has built a church from zero to 1200 people, now.

awesome!!!!!!!!!

[Falla39]

Originally Posted by unitedpraise10

I think it's funny that you have brought the small family vs big family topic into this....when it has nothing to do with church growth.

Churches are made up of families! Large and small! When children grow up and if they leave the church, you have that many less. I have heard UPC ministers and wives and missionaries say we are losing 75-85% of our children to the world. I would not get any pleasure out of growing a church for others, while losing mine to the world. The church should be much like a family. If we have love and unity in our family then that should be extended to the church. If the church does not have love and unity, don't expect others to want to stay!

Falla39

[unitedpraise10]

I'll say it again!!!! Your music program/department will and does play a HUGE role in the success of your church. If your always singing out of the red hymnal, you won't grow. Just stating a fact. I learned that simple fact while attending a UPC bible college Music Conference!!!!

[Falla39]

You can say it again and again, but if you don't have the ANOINTING of the HOLY
GHOST from the pulpit to the pew, the music dept, etc., you can forget SUCCESS
in that church!!! GOD must be IN HIS people, the church. Talent alone will not do
what needs to be done, in the pulpit or in the music dept or the pew!

Falla39

[unitedpraise10]

Originally Posted by Falla39

You can say it again and again, but if you don't have the ANOINTING of the HOLY
GHOST from the pulpit to the pew, the music dept, etc., you can forget SUCCESS
in that church!!! GOD must be IN HIS people, the church. Talent alone will not do
what needs to be done, in the pulpit or in the music dept or the pew!

Falla39

Anointing is important. I will give you that much. I've been blessed, and continue to be blessed by the old hymns and older songs of the church. I've been in many powerful services where a hymn was sung, but vice versa I've been in many powerful holy ghost services where the newest worship song was being sung and it touched me the same.

I was a bible college student a few years ago, and had the privileged of traveling all across the country to several Apostolic churches. Most of them were great churches, but there were a few that had us turn to page 45 in the hymnal, then when that one was over had us turn to page 23, so on and so on. Sadly these churches were tiny little things. I learned from those experiences.

I'm not saying do away with the hymns....what I'm saying is move forward, and except the new. You can have anointing while singing new stuff too...

[Hoovie]

Maybe, maybe not. Numbers do not always equate blessing, nor does money or fame. Neither is the lack of the same a curse.

[pelathais]

Originally Posted by Falla39

Is it a curse that many people today do not have large families. Why do many today want a large congregation. Large families make bigger churches. Some seem to want mega churches, but do not want to contribute much to it themselves.

Falla39

Well Sister Falla, just what have you done recently to help with the increase?

Any news to share?

[Cindy]

Originally Posted by pelathais

Well Sister Falla, just what have you done recently to help with the increase?

Any news to share?

She has at least one great grandchild.

[unitedpraise10]

Originally Posted by Cindy

She has at least one great grandchild.

hahaha