{"id":1942,"date":"2016-02-03T13:08:51","date_gmt":"2016-02-03T13:08:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/redencao.test\/index.php\/2016\/02\/03\/digit-growth\/"},"modified":"2016-02-03T13:08:51","modified_gmt":"2016-02-03T13:08:51","slug":"digit-growth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/igrejaredencao.org.br\/index.php\/2016\/02\/03\/digit-growth\/","title":{"rendered":"Digit Growth"},"content":{"rendered":"

The thought that numerical growth is evidence of God\u2019s favor has been dominant among the evangelical community for quite a few decades now. So much so, that the number criteria is been basis for measuring the quality of a pastor\u2019s ministry or even the so-called approval of a church by God. For this reason, when we point to absurd doctrinal deviations, to worldliness, to lack of real devotion and scandals, so common on these hiperchurches<\/em>, the \u201cspiritualoid sanctimonious\u201d will soon appear saying that \u201cIf this minister and his church are as bad as you say, why has God blessed them so much? Have you noticed how crowded their services are?\u201d<\/span> <\/p>\n

It is evident some of these people lack spiritual wisdom to approve what is excellent (Philippians 1.9-10). They also lack biblical knowledge that states men would seek masters \u201cafter their own lusts\u201d over the last days (2 Timothy 4.3). The latter verse, I must mention, makes it clear why there are innumerous followers for those who preach the old and rotten doctrine of financial success.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is more, something else is lacking for those who associate numerical growth to God\u2019s blessing. Pardon my frankness, but in my view they also lack perception and reasoning. No Einstein\u2019s brain is needed for one to notice that most movements – absolutely contrary to faith – grow numerically in a frightening pace. The obviousness is such that I am afraid to cite examples and look like I am wasting time. Still, I will name a few\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

Behold the Nazi growth in the first half of the 20th<\/sup> century. Virtually all of Germany embraced this \u201cideology\u201d, which expanded beyond its \u201cmotherland\u201d and found support in many countries. By the way, although some people are na\u00efve to think it is dead, Nazism remains active and will grow further especially now that Hitler\u2019s book Mein Kampf<\/em> (My Struggle) has reached public domain. Does it possibly prove that God approves Nazism? Now take a look at Islam. Everyone knows it is a threat to religious freedom or any kind of freedom at all. What a foolish thing to think that only \u201cRadical Islam\u201d and its terrorist acts are a hazard to Western society! Muslims broadly see women as objects, they are pro death penalty to homosexuals, and they approve ten year-old girls to marry men about forty\u2026 In spite of it all, this religion increases in number. In fact, statistics show it is the fastest growing religion in the world! Is such growth derived from God\u2019s blessing? Oh, please!<\/span><\/p>\n

At last, take into account the LGBT movement. Bible clearly abjures homosexuality and it is contrary to the idea that homosexuals \u201care born that way\u201d. According to the Scriptures, the very person who practices homosexuality is responsible for that and shall give account to God about it. What is more, plain natural sense repels homosexual practice and its \u201cphilosophy\u201d. Indeed, all we see in a \u201cGay Parade\u201d is an insult to decorum and decency. Vulgar mockery addressed to Christian faith, unseemly acts in public at daylight, exhibition of mutilated bodies, modified by shocking and artificial protuberances\u2026 you see it all in such parades. Although surveys show that the number of attendants to \u201cGay Parade\u201d sharply dropped, the number of people in favor of LGBT movement increases everyday. Even kids stand up for homosexuality nowadays! Is this proof of God\u2019s approval? Not, of course!<\/span><\/p>\n

A great reality derived from Scripture is that numerical growth is no indicative of much. Actually, as seen above, mere number increase of parties or even churches may have wrong causes that may attract a huge number of bad men. For this reason, it is imperative that churches\u2019 growth is associated with other elements to be considered healthy and also the result of gracious action of God. What elements are these? The answer is in Acts 9.31, \u201c<\/em><\/span>So the church throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria had peace, being edified; and, walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, was multiplied\u201d.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Note that the healthy growth of the early church was a blessing from God. It was associated with the holy and righteous life of Christians who walked in fear of Him.\u00a0 <\/span>And they were edified while living this way. Well, it is clear that life under fear of the Lord moves away from scandals, immorality, dirty language, dishonesty, lies, fraud and hypocrisy. The text teaches that primitive church used to have a wonderful testimony. The Holy Ghost encouraged them (the word \u201ccomfort\u201d can also mean encouragement), it gave them bravery, direction, wisdom and willingness to serve. As a result, the church \u201cwas multiplied\u201d. <\/span><\/p>\n

Behold the desirable growth in number, resulting from God\u2019s approval. Therefore, we must highlight that if a church grows and its members do not walk or are edified in fear for the Lord, something is really wrong about it, that\u2019s for sure. Maybe it is offering bad things, thus bringing over bad people. Maybe its proclaiming ideas and carrying out plans that meet unbelievers\u2019 mean demands. Maybe its leaders proclaim doctrines totally in line with the desire of the wicked, or perhaps it is using mere marketing<\/em> strategies whose techniques are far from building a truly biblical church. Remember: close to the carcass of false teaching and human artifice the vultures gather, jumping in joy around carrion.<\/span><\/p>\n

Thus, let us be careful. Let us assess things with more detail and intelligence. Let us also plea the Lord to increase his church\u2019s rows. But may such increase do not happen at all costs. That the holy lamb of truth and purity does not become a sacrifice is the altar of numerical increase. That the crowded service lounges reflects a church walking in fear of the Lord rather than people who foster worldly shows. If this is not the case, let us just remain a \u201clittle flock\u201d, as Jesus said. Trying to adjust life to his will so that healthy and true growth comes in due course.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pr. Marcos Granconato<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Strength and faith<\/span><\/p>\n

Soli Deo Gloria<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The thought that numerical growth is evidence of God\u2019s favor has been dominant among the evangelical community for quite a few decades now. So…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[57],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1942","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-pastoral-ingles"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/igrejaredencao.org.br\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1942","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/igrejaredencao.org.br\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/igrejaredencao.org.br\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/igrejaredencao.org.br\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/igrejaredencao.org.br\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1942"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/igrejaredencao.org.br\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1942\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/igrejaredencao.org.br\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1942"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/igrejaredencao.org.br\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1942"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/igrejaredencao.org.br\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1942"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}