Church leaders, you have been given an entrustment “of God’s flock that is under your care” (1 Pet. 5:2-3). Part of shepherding involves aiming toward the growth of His flock that would include current sheep as well as those yet to come into His fold. To do that, we need to be good stewards. Let’s faithfully minister to those He’s given us and prepare for those whom He adds later.
Church Leaders’ Role as a Steward Causes Them to Aim Toward Growth
To be a good steward we need to care for our entrustment in ways that align with God’s intent. Scripture shows that He wants us to aim toward growth.
- God wants us to press on (Phil. 3:7-14), not get stagnant.
- He expects us to invest (Matt. 25:14-30) and multiply (2 Tim. 2:2) what He’s given, not be satisfied with status quo.
- Jesus emphasized an outward-focus in commissioning us to make disciples of all nations (Matt. 28:18-20) and to be His witnesses to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8), not to be inward-focused.
Biblical Principles to Guide Stewardship
God wants us, as stewards of His flock, to not only aim toward growth but to do so in alignment with His ways. Remember, we aren’t the Head of the Church (Col. 1:15-18). We don’t own the flock (1 Pet. 5:2). It therefore only makes sense, as stewards of that which belongs to Him, that we follow God’s means of growing the Church. We’re accountable to Him for what we do with what He entrusted to us (Heb. 13:17; 1 Pet. 5:4).
Foster an environment conducive to growth and depend on God to work through it.
The early church didn’t rely on gimmicks. They devoted themselves to certain spiritual activities like teaching, fellowship, prayer, worship, and benevolence “and the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved” (Acts 2:42-47).
Make church growth efforts all about the Lord.
Do whatever you to in the name of the Lord Jesus (Col. 3:17) and to the glory of God (1 Cor. 10:31). Point people to the Lord, not yourselves. That means we trust in Him with all our heart, and don’t lean on our own understanding (Prov. 3:5-6) or some worldly plan (1 Cor. 1:12). That doesn’t mean we can never turn to a church growth consultant but ultimately what we do needs to align with the Lord and His ways. He needs to be the one guiding our steps and getting all the credit.
Equip people to do their parts.
Don’t try to do it all yourself. Follow God’s design for the Church to function interdependently. Equip people to do their part because according to Him, everybody has a part in growing and building up the Body (Eph. 4:11-13, 16).
Always remember that God is the One who brings the growth, not us.
We faithfully steward that which He’s entrusted to us by planting and watering but “neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow” (1 Cor. 3:6-9). We work in cooperation with Him yet He is the One who brings the growth.
For More, Go To: Resources to Help Leaders in Their Role as Stewards
All Posts about Church Growth:
- Church Purpose That Leads to Church Growth
- Church Growth Outgrowth of Church Purpose
- Everybody Has a Part in Church Growth
- Church Growth & the Great Commission
- Trying to Attract People to Your Church by Becoming Like Them?
- Trying to Attract People to Your Church with Grace?
- Trying to Attract People to Your Church by What You Offer?
- Trying to Attract People to Your Church Through Manipulation?
- Trying to Attract People to Your Church by Watering Down the Truth?
- Church Growth & God’s Power
- Power of the Gospel & Church Growth
- Power of the Gospel, Not Entertaining
- Power of the Gospel, Not the Messenger
- Power of the Gospel, Not Swayed by What People Think
- Grace to Grow
- Grace to be a Growth Agent
- True Church Growth & Health: Reliant on the Holy Spirit
- Collaboration in Church Growth Efforts Possible with Spirit
- Competence, Conviction & Confidence in Church Growth
- Growth Because of His Name
- Growth When All Done in His Name
- Growth in His Name Came at a Cost
- Prayer Essential for Church Growth
- Praying for Church Growth
- All Spiritual Gifts Needed for Church Growth
- Perspective Toward Each Other’s Part in Church Growth
- Not the Time to Think about Church Growth?
- How Resurrection Power Helps with Church Growth
- Attacks Against Church Growth
- Attacks Against Church Growth Need God’s Protection
- Our How-To Book for Church Growth
- An Example of What It Takes for Growth and Spiritual Health
- Good Stewards Aim Toward Growth
- Leader Qualities in Church Growth