[RnMomof7]

Steve I think God knows the heart..but is marketing any different than Arminian salvation....a God needs me approach

I believe there are some natural things a church can and should do AS MINISTRY like literacy classes..food banks...your ESL ...

There are things a church should do as family ..celebrate and morn.....BUT God knows the purpose . Is it to attract numbers or is it to wash feet?

I fought with my pastor about the saddle back program....it is very carnal.

The Baptist church in the same neighborhood started an awana program and has run a Thursday program during the summer to minister to the kids....the church will grow because of them....but God knows the intention was it to minister or to grow?

I did prison ministry for years...it was intended to bring the gospel ..not to grow a church...

Am I making what I think on this clear? We minister in HIS name because it is what we are to do..not to grow a church. The the compassion and love is a self serving lie if the real purpose is only church growth IMHO

[RnMomof7]

sorry #24

[drstevej]

I think we are very much in agreement.

One thought: If I want the church to grow because it glorfies me, that's sin. If I want the church to grow numerically and spiritually because it glorifies Him, that's obedience to the Great Comission. Motivation is KEY.

[sonrise57]

I agree it God in his sovreignty will or will not add to a particular local congregation. However, we need to have a desire for and be praying for growth if the motivation of that desire and prayer is the "souls" that growth represents.