Several fallacious assumptions are made today in the area of church growth. Let’s look at a few of them.

One assumption is that some magic formula, or some program, needs to be constantly adopted to keep congregations viable. Sometimes the very method adopted (that actually makes a church grow) is wrong in itself. For example, the First Righteous Church advertises that it will give away $100 bills in all future services. Do you suppose they will experience growth? Well, the “health and wealth” messages proclaimed in churches today brings huge increases in attendance. Is it any different than promising cash? Who wouldn’t desire more health and more wealth? But, that is not the proper reason for coming to Christ or to church!

Another false assumption is that growth in attendance is an indication a church is growing. God doesn't measure growth by numbers. God measures growth in terms of “spiritual produce”. He takes what we are capable of producing with our flesh and multiplies it supernaturally by pruning us. Wow! Anyone want to get pruned? Not a popular message. Yet, real growth is only possible as I am willing to deny myself, take up my cross, and follow him. He promises PAIN, not earthly GAIN, as he remakes me into his image. That message is not well received in a “seeker service”! Jesus even experiences “loss in attendance” at his rallies when he refuses to feed the crowd any longer and starts talking about eating his flesh and drinking his blood! (Real crowd pleaser there! ) A growth in numbers is no indication of spiritual maturation. Sometimes a growth in numbers is just members jumping ship from one church to go to one more appealing. That's more like swelling than growth.

Look in Acts, last verse in chapter 2. The body of Christ grows exponentially as God adds to it. So much for our theories and methods.

Is your congregation more loving this year than last year? Are you? Do you better reflect today the character and nature of Jesus Christ than you did yesterday? How do you stack up next to a Holy God? Do you have a greater sense of his presence in your assembly and in your life now than before?

These are REAL questions churches and individuals ask themselves if they desire REAL growth.

Rick's other book, "The Purpose-Driven Church", is no different. Here once again a good brother advocates the implementation of a "system" designed to make good Christians better. Or, is it rather a system for making church members more faithful to doing "church"? Hmmmmmm.

Rick bases his system out of Ephesians 4. If Paul intended to implement a system in Christian churches, would not Paul have outlined it in that chapter? Does Paul need Rick Warren's help to clarify it for the churches?

The "purpose" for Christian churches is to assist the Holy Spirit's work in each Christian as HE brings them to the stature of the fullness of Christ. The gifts poured out in the churches are given to individual members. They should be respected and utilized in the church. Churches create an environment for members to utilize the gifts so all are built up to the "stature of the fullness of Christ". That's Ephesians 4.

There is no system that makes bad persons good, or good persons better. God alone makes new hearts. God alone matures those hearts by providing his Spirit and spiritual gifts. The perfection found in Christ Jesus and obedience to him is incapable of being improved upon by some system devised of men. There is no purpose more high than being obedient to the Holy Spirit, in the churches and in our daily lives.

Rick Warren’s book draws no distinction between believer and unbeliever. He promotes the idea that God purposes “good” for everyone. Let’s look at a few scriptures Rick offers in his book, Purpose-Driven Life.

[Remember, the intent of all honest Bible students is to discover and promote the original meaning of scripture as it was originally penned to the original audience by the original author.]

Rick quotes a partial verse and labels it correctly: Isaiah 44:2a, but the whole context of Isaiah 44:1-2 is spoken to Israel. Israel is chosen by God as a nation. The same is true of Jeremiah 29:11 that Rick uses to support his whole thesis. Jeremiah is likewise speaking to Israel. Through Jeremiah, God gives Israel a promise. God always intended Israel good, not harm. Yet, Israel brought harm on themselves by rejecting God and worshipping idols. God punished them. God then promises to bring them home after seventy years in captivity in ancient Babylon.

What’s all that got to do with us and our lives being “purposed”? Rick appears to be using scripture as it suits HIS “purpose”. LOL!

In chapter 7, Rick once more partially quotes a verse. Only this time he fails to label it as a partial quote. He should label it: 16:4a. Why would he label a partial quote as a whole quote?

Let’s look at the entire verse, (NLT): "The LORD has made everything for its own purpose, even the wicked for punishment."

Astute readers would see that the conclusion Rick draws from the first part he quotes is clearly in conflict with the latter part he left off! Is this intentional? God here is purposing PUNISHMENT, not good!

God DRIVES no one! He is a gentle shepherd. He implores. He begs. He stands at the door of hearts and knocks. He pleads to be invited in. He asks all to seek him, believe on him, and obey the gospel of his unique son, Jesus Christ. He has no higher purpose for your life than to seek him and obey him.

As a believer, love PROPELS you to speak his name to others. You are led by his Holy Spirit placed deep inside (Romans 8). God is a gentle shepherd. His sheep hear his voice. We hear and obey. We live for no higher purpose than to serve him. His love is sufficient to motivate and animate our lives.

There is no “purpose” sufficient to move me joyfully, peacefully, and lovingly through life. There is no greater THING and no greater ON, only HIM.

He alone is sufficient. He alone saves.

Please first read Part I and Part II below.

Open meetings are not dress-up affairs. No fancy clothes here. This is casual worship where everyone follows the Spirit’s lead. Order is maintained at all times and preference is given to truth-speaking. Problems naturally arise, but should be handled according to I Corinthians 14. Other problems may be avoided by following these simple guidelines.

Handle those who dominate the discussion time by timing them if necessary. Five-minute limits on every one. Encourage shy persons to speak up by creating a safe environment for them. Explain that both the shy and dominant persons will be expected, in time, to come more to the middle. Tell the ones not speaking this Sunday that they will start the discussion next Sunday. Inform the ones who dominate that they will be limited to one five-minute talk next week. That will help each group move toward the middle.

Never allow anything critical or harsh to be said about another person in worship. Worship is a time for building up, not tearing down. Discussion is kept spiritual and does not digress to subjects like politics or sports.

No discussion leaders and no moderators! None! No one takes center stage, besides Jesus. Everyone speaks. Everyone sings. Spiritual songs are selected that all know. If a person can’t sing, but wants a particular song sung at a particular time then tell them to point to the song and nudge someone next to them to start it. These songs can be typed up on a song sheet of up to twenty-five songs. Announce the number AFTER the song has been started spontaneously. Use no musical instruments, not even a guitar. The singing, rough at first, improves over time.

Prayer time is not for nosebleeds or hangnails. Stay away from “prayer requests.” All prayers are to be expressions of love, and appreciation to the Master. Special time may be set aside in worship for praying over a situation or health issue for a member as the Lord directs. Everything is kept uplifting to all and glorifying to God.

When personal sharing takes place, it’s okay to cry. When crying starts to take over the person’s whole talk then someone should walk over and put their arm around them to help them finish. If this doesn’t do it, tell them to give up and try again next week. Keep all sharing positive. This is not a time to dump your garbage on the assembly! (Find a loving and sensitive person to share these things with in private. Or, schedule time with a Christian counselor.)

Always check your motive before you speak. Make certain God and his Spirit prompts you before you do or say anything in corporate worship.

These are my suggestions. Questions? Comments?

Imagine that you are a common person searching for God. You procure a copy of the Bible and begin reading. You ask your family and neighbors to join you in reading and studying the Bible regularly in your home. You agree to read through the entire Bible starting in Genesis. You meet regularly to discuss what you have read the previous week. You see in the Old Testament how God prepares a people, the Israelites, for bringing his Messiah to earth. You finish the Old Testament with the expectation that he is coming soon. You agree to continue reading through the New Testament. You discover in the New Testament that the Messiah has arrived. You read of his immaculate conception, his public life and ministry, including demonstrations of miracles, signs, and wonders proving him to be God’s son. You study the evidence and testimony of his public execution, and literal resurrection from death. You see his instructions to believers to continue making disciples and teaching them what he instructed. You confess your own faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. You express a desire to be immersed as a believer in Jesus. Several others in your group express similar faith and agree to meet at a neighbor’s pool. You immerse one another and God pours out the gift of his Holy Spirit into each heart. You agree to continue meeting regularly to share meals and worship, while observing the Lord’s Supper. You read and study Acts along with the other letters to New Testament congregations. You apply the principles you learn to your own life and congregation. You recognize, appreciate, and utilize each spiritual gift in each believer. Weekly assemblies become more loving and open according to Paul's instructions in I Corinthians 14. You eagerly await the second coming of Christ and continue encouraging one other toward love and good works.

Now, which denomination would your group (meeting in your home) be a member of? The same as New Testament believers...the Kingdom of God, in Christ. Your group is merely a local expression of Christ's universal bride. It’s that simple.

Next, I offer a few suggestions for keeping your worship open and biblical.