Is there any other kind of growth than numerical?

[no value]

Had a phone conversation with an old "friend" who has been pursuing a degree at HAC for about a dozen years. After the general pleasantries the eventual question came, "How many are you running now?"

As the pastor of a small church, I wasn't surprised at the question, but his response to my answer was (to me) offensive.

He tried to kindly tell me that Jesus wasn't for any church that wasn't growing numerically. Typical HAC pablum.

 

[qwerty]

12 pursuing a degree.....

Pretty sure he should stuff his opinion back where it belongs.

 

[RAIDER]

Had a phone conversation with an old "friend" who has been pursuing a degree at HAC for about a dozen years. After the general pleasantries the eventual question came, "How many are you running now?"

As the pastor of a small church, I wasn't surprised at the question, but his response to my answer was (to me) offensive.

He tried to kindly tell me that Jesus wasn't for any church that wasn't growing numerically. Typical HAC pablum.

I'd say you are dealing with a Hacker of a black belt nature.

 

[16KJV11]

Had a phone conversation with an old "friend" who has been pursuing a degree at HAC for about a dozen years. After the general pleasantries the eventual question came, "How many are you running now?"

As the pastor of a small church, I wasn't surprised at the question, but his response to my answer was (to me) offensive.

He tried to kindly tell me that Jesus wasn't for any church that wasn't growing numerically. Typical HAC pablum.

You've got some real winners for friends.

 

[sword]

A church can grow spiritually. This is critical in any church with new converts that need discipled.

A church can grow financially. I know some small country churches that are supporting dozens of missionaries around the world. Because of their rural location & age of the average member they are not likely to grow much but are having an impact around the world.

A church can grow through division. Some churches grow by dividing. Every few years they start a new church plant and some of their members leave to become a part of the new church. J Frank Norris practiced this in his churches.  He did pastor the 2 largest churches in America but, those churches would each help start dozens of independent satellite churches in Dallas & Detroit over the years.

A few churches have so many members surrender to full time service & Missions that the church does not grow numerically but have a part in 100's of works across the country & the world. The peoples church in Toronto had this reputation if I recall.

A church can help other churches grow. I recall a church out west that sends groups into the inner city (60 mins away) to witness and then encourages their converts to attend a good local church there in the city. Some of the members even offer to attend with them a week or two & help them get settled. Many use mass transit & could never drive the 1 hr. to the soul winners home church. They have helped some of the small churches in the city tremendously without seeing growth themselves.

SORRY RAIDER, IT’S NOT ALWAYS ABOUT THE NUMBERS

 

[no value]

Had a phone conversation with an old "friend" who has been pursuing a degree at HAC for about a dozen years. After the general pleasantries the eventual question came, "How many are you running now?"

As the pastor of a small church, I wasn't surprised at the question, but his response to my answer was (to me) offensive.

He tried to kindly tell me that Jesus wasn't for any church that wasn't growing numerically. Typical HAC pablum.

You've got some real winners for friends.

I referred to this person as "friend" out of kindness. We were face-to-friends years ago, then he and his family moved away to attend HAC. I haven't seen him in years. We recently reconnected, first by social media, then a couple of phone conversations. I probably could label our relationship at this point as a brothers-in-Christ and distant colleagues.

 

[IFB X-Files]

He tried to kindly tell me that Jesus wasn't for any church that wasn't growing numerically.

And this from a guy who attends a college/church that are not as large as when he started?

 

[Fresh Air]

Clearly, he has not yet entered the pastorate...

 

[Baptist City Holdout]

Had a phone conversation with an old "friend" who has been pursuing a degree at HAC for about a dozen years. After the general pleasantries the eventual question came, "How many are you running now?"

As the pastor of a small church, I wasn't surprised at the question, but his response to my answer was (to me) offensive.

He tried to kindly tell me that Jesus wasn't for any church that wasn't growing numerically. Typical HAC pablum.

I'd say you are dealing with a Hacker of a black belt nature.

May be a Night Bus sighting!