No
parent in his/her right mind wants to thwart the growth of
a child God has given to them. The physical, mental,
social, and especially spiritual growth of children is
always on the mind of good godly parents. It is
unconscionable for parents to deliberately hinder the
growth of a child in any of these areas.
It
is sickening to read or hear of children being starved or
tortured. Our laws are solidly against child abuse or any
kind. Some time ago a new report told of a child being
found chained in a closet. The child was malnourished and
sick. Had the officials not intervened, no doubt the
innocent child would have died. All right thinking people
recognize just how reprehensible this is.
Think
of the local church as a growing organism — in the same
way a child is to grow. It would be as reprehensible and
sinful to hinder the growth of a local church just as it
would be with a child. I have known several local churches
that began to show growth, both numerical and spiritual,
that came to an impasse and stopped growing. Why? Let me
suggest a few things that will hinder congregational
growth and development.
1.
Factionalism. I put this at the top of the
list. Factionalism is usually a group of contentious and
opinionated Christians who seek to control the mind and
activity of others. They usually are a minority in a
larger group, but are very active. It doesn’t take but
one factious person to disrupt the growth of a local
church. The God of heaven severely condemns it (Gal.
5:20).
2.
Failure to cooperate. The growth of any
local congregation is commensurate with the amount of
cooperation that exists among all the members. After Paul
warned of false doctrine and factionalism, he wrote, “Instead,
speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up
into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the
whole body, joined and held together by every supporting
ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part
does its work” (Eph. 4:15-16, NIV). I think this
fits the context of Paul’s words. Instead of fussing and
fighting over non-essential issues, each of us in the same
local congregation should join and hold together. How? By
“every supporting ligament (member) doing his/her part
of the total work.
3.
Indifference. The ultimate result of
factionalism going to seed and doing its nefarious work is
indifference. Excitement is dead where we are indifferent.
Where there is no excitement in a local church, there will
be no growth. We won’t worry about saving others; we won’t
encourage others, and we won’t grow as God expects us to
grow. May God help us to avoid any and all hindrances to
growth.
Let
us all determine that we will never hinder the growth of
the Lord’s church, but to the contrary, will join in
whole heartedly in bring others to the Lord through
actively and zealously spreading his word. Let us all
determine to help, and never hinder,
the growth of the church- DRS