Guest Post: When Growth is Overrated

When I was in my twenties I met Doug Meye while serving in Vegas. He was leading a church in town and then helped at our church during while we were searching for a lead pastor. Doug became a mentor in my life. He helped me walk through my ministry call. For the last couple years he's been helping us at Coastline in numerous ways. One of those ways in our preaching team. Last month he sent me this article, that he had written. I asked for permission to post here. I hope you enjoy this as much as I did.

WHEN GROWTH IS OVERRATED

I was weaned on the Church Growth Movement. As a church planter I counted everyone and everything—children, babies, pets.  Later, when I was no longer able to count people myself, I graphed attendance counts that were turned in weekly hoping to discern telling trends.  You might have guessed--I’m an Enneagram 3. 

I believe growth is good.

But, today, more than ever, I realize that growth doesn’t tell the whole story. In fact, there are times when growth is over-rated.

Growth is over-rated when the people in the church are not growing up in Christ.

Numerical growth is ultimately empty without spiritual growth. 

The pandemic made this very clear. How many times have we heard? “They are gone, and they are not coming back.”

Most of the time, this absence can be traced in some form back to a lack of discipleship. The people came because we worked hard to get them there: flashy sermon series, timely texts, bounce-houses for the kids. 

Now we realize that while people came to our events, their confidence and outlook remained embedded in self, not rooted in Christ. While these people inflated pre-Covid church counts, they are gone today--like “chaff which the wind drives away” (Psalm 1). 

Some churches may have a unique evangelistic calling and capacity. But, when a church “baptizes” someone it also has the responsibility to teach that person “all things Jesus commanded” (Matthew 28:19-20). 

I would not want to be the pastor of a church and tell Jesus, “Discipleship was not our thing!” I afraid Jesus would ask, “What was your thing. I can’t see anything to show for what you did.”

Growth without discipleship will ultimately be exposed for what it is—fluff.

Growth is over-rated when the pastor pays too high of a price.

Most of us are familiar with Peter Scazzero’s story at New Life Church. He talks about it freely in his many helpful books. Lack of boundaries and overwork nearly caused him to lose both his ministry and marriage.

Unfortunately, Peter’s situation is not an isolated one. How many pastors have burned out themselves and burned up their families because they wanted to see their church grow?

Here’s the problem?  A pastor’s long and crazy hours do lead to growth.

And pastors are highly competent people, who are able to juggle the competing demands of a growing church and busy family, until…

They can’t!

Then they become another statistic. Their family becomes another tragic story.

A church will never be healthy in the long run, if the pastor is not healthy today. A healthy pastor recognizes the primary ministry he has to his family. A healthy pastor honors boundaries and limits. A healthy pastor finds his identity in Christ and leaves the growth to God.

Growth is over-rated when the pastor pays too high of a price.

Growth is over-rated when the staff is used, maybe even abused.

Because of their reputation some churches are easily able to attract staff.  Young staff feel honored to be part of these dynamic ministries. 

Unfortunately, the same church which can easily attract staff, may be tempted to easily hurt staff.  

Young staff come to the church because they love Jesus and want to be part of a dynamic ministry. But during their time at the church, they are underpaid, overworked, and never given the promotion promised to them.

These staff members help the church grow. But ultimately these staff are dispensable commodities; after all, the church has the capacity to easily attract new staff.  

Out with the old, in with the new. 

The church continues to grow, but the growth leaves a trail of wounded, disillusioned, angry young men and women who may never want to serve in a church again.  I hear about this way too often!

Those of us in church leadership are called to develop people, not use them. Growth is over-rated when the staff is used, maybe even abused.

Growth is overrated when it comes at the expense of other churches.

Since the days of Rick Warren and the founding of Saddleback, most of us in ministry have targeted the unchurched. We want to reach people who are not part of a local church; even more, who are far from God.

Yet, when it comes right down to it, many of the churches in our country are growing not because they are reaching unchurched people but because they are reaching churched people who are looking for a different ministry. 

This can happen for any number of reasons--some understandable, some regrettable.

While we claim to go after the unchurched, most of us I suspect, feel pretty good about those who come to the churches we pastor from other churches. Not only do they add to our count; they pamper our ego. We interpret their presence to mean, “You lead a better church than the one we left!”

I believe there may be valid reasons for leaving one church for another. I’m not against people attending a church which is good for their family and will truly challenge their growth. 

Let’s call it for what it is—people looking for a different kind of ministry.  And, if we are truly about the Kingdom of God, we will never feel great when our church is growing at the expense of another.

Growth is over-rated when it comes at the expense of another church.

Final Thoughts

I’m not against church growth. Quite the opposite. I pray almost every day that the God will renew His church and cause it to explode with the growth of new disciples who are on fire for Christ. I pray that this growth will happen God’s way in Gods time by God’s Spirit.

Otherwise, the growth may be way over-rated.

Hebrews 12:14-29 | Small Group Questions

In August of 2021 Coastline Bible Church started a brand new sermon series called: "Greater." For approximately five months we are going to study the book of Hebrews together. The book of Hebrews was written to a Jewish audience living in the first century. They are likely experiencing persecution and thinking about abandoning their faith. The author teaches us how Jesus is greater than: the prophets, angels, Moses, Abraham, the Law, the old covenant, and the high priest. We learn that Jesus is greater than anything that has preceded Him. For this sermon Doug Meye wrote the small group questions to accompany his sermon. It seemed like a waste to leave them in a file on my computer and not share them with everyone. 

SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS – The Drumbeat - Hebrews 12:14-29

1) As you go through life, are there some guiding phrases that come to your mind and again? Where did these come from (e.g., parents, mentor, life experience, etc)? 

Read Hebrews 12:14-29

2) What is the most encouraging thing that comes to you from this passage?

3) Verse 15 calls us to live in such a way that we measure up to the grace of God. When did God’s grace become really real in your life? How did you respond to this amazing grace?

4) What are the 3 ways suggested in verses 14-17 that we might fall short of God’s grace? Is any of these a temptation for you? If so, which one? Does the passage suggest a way to combat this temptation?

5) In verses 18-22 the writer talks about two mountains. Why do you think he uses these images?  What is the difference between the two mountains? 

6) If you are a follower of Jesus, you have come to the second mountain, Mt. Zion (22-24). Note the things happening at this mountain. How would you explain the meaning of these in everyday language?  How does knowing that these things are your reality as a Jesus follower help you stay the course?

7) Extra credit: Read Haggai 2:6-10. How do the words of the prophet Haggai in these verses relate to what the writer of Hebrews is talking about in 12:25-27? What thing/themes found in Hebrews are either mentioned specifically or foreshadowed by the words of Haggai?

8) Can you give an example of a time when your world was being shaken but you experienced being part of a kingdom that cannot be shaken? 

The writer says, “Since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful and so worship God acceptable with reverence and awe.”

As a group, spend some time in prayer in which you express your worship to God for who he is, the grace He has given you, the mountain to which He has brought you, and that belong to His unshakeable kingdom.

Who in your life needs to experience what God has privileged you to experience? Spend some time praying for them by name.

Pray for the ministries of Coastline—that God would provide for every need, that He would raise up workers, and that God would do a mighty work in and through his people at Coastline. 

Hebrews 10:19-39 | Small Group Questions

In August of 2021 Coastline Bible Church started a brand new sermon series called: "Greater." For approximately five months we are going to study the book of Hebrews together. The book of Hebrews was written to a Jewish audience living in the first century. They are likely experiencing persecution and thinking about abandoning their faith. The author teaches us how Jesus is greater than: the prophets, angels, Moses, Abraham, the Law, the old covenant, and the high priest. We learn that Jesus is greater than anything that has preceded Him. For this sermon Doug Meye wrote the small group questions that go along with each sermon. It seemed like a waste to leave them in a file on my computer and not share them with everyone.

SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS – Hold Tight to the One Who Holds On – Hebrews 10:19-39

This passage often carries the subtitle, “A Call to Persevere.” But as was suggest in the message on Sunday, this heading doesn’t seem to capture the urgency conveyed n the passage or the high stakes involved. The author knows that because of challenging circumstances some are being tempted to go back to their old way of relating to God and abandon their new faith in Christ. This passage not only provides a sober warning, but practical helps and the confident assurance that they are going to make it to the finish line.

1) All of us probably know people who at one time were walking with God, but now seem to be far from Him. What causes people to walk away from their faith (Hebrews 2:1, Mark 4:19)?

2) Read through the entire passage, Hebrews 10:19-39. What is the primary feeling(s) that you have as you listen to this passage? And why? How does the passage fit into what the author has already written in Hebrews?

3) In verses 22-24 the author shares three exhortations, each beginning with the phrase, “Let us….”. What are the three exhortations? Reflect on the words of each exhortation? What further observations do you want to make about each (note specific words, phrases, what the author does not say, etc)?

4) Which of these three exhortations do you most need in your life today? How can you put the exhortation into practice?

5) Verse 25 talks about “encouraging one another.” How can others encourage you?

6) Whatever else you want to say about verses 26-31, it is certainly a warning. How do these verses fit into how the author describes the letter as a whole in Hebrews 13:22 --“word of exhortation”?

7) What do we learn about the first-century Christian community to whom the author is writing in verses 32-39? Is there a cost/suffering if you live as a follower of Jesus today? What in these verses encourages you to endure loss and stand strong for Jesus? Explain.

8) Who in your circle of relations needs hear the gospel? 

Close your time in prayer. Pray for each other. Pray that you would all do what it takes to draw near to God,  be an encouragement to each other, and stand up for Jesus regardless what it might cost. 

Hebrews 8 | Small Group Questions

Coastline Bible Church just started a brand new sermon series called: "Greater." For the next several months we are going to look through the book of Hebrews together. The book of Hebrews was written to a Jewish audience living in the first century. They are likely experiencing persecution and thinking about abandoning their faith. The author teaches us how Jesus is greater than: the prophets, angels, Moses, Abraham, the Law, the old covenant, and the high priest. We learn that Jesus is greater than anything that has preceded Him. For this sermon Doug Meye preached and wrote the small group questions for us! 

SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS – A Better Priest, A Better Covenant – Hebrews 8

In Hebrews 8, the author continues to elaborate on the high priestly ministry of Jesus.  Like the ministry of Melchizedek (Genesis 14, Hebrews 7), Jesus’s high priestly ministry is superior to that of the high priests who ministered in the Jewish temple.  Because Jesus is a better high priest, who oversees a better covenant, fulfilling Jeremiah’s prophecy about a new covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34). This new covenant not only makes the old covenant obsolete but introduces followers of Jesus to new and wonderful realities of life with God (eternal life).

1) Think back over different bridges you have seen either in a picture or in person. What is the most memorable bridge you have ever encountered? Why?

2) The book of Hebrews cites a number of differences between the high priests who ministered in the temple and our high priest, Jesus Christ. Work as a group to recall as many of these as you can (See Hebrews 7:23-8:6).

3) In his ministry, death and resurrection, Jesus established a new covenant. Doug cited three different outcomes of the new covenant: an inner power, knowing God intimately, resting in grace. How do following scriptures help us understand these different aspects of the new covenant:

- inner power – (Matthew 3:11, Philippians 2:12-13)

- knowing God intimately- (John 17:3, Ephesians 1:17-21, Philippians 3:7-11)

- resting in grace – (Romans 5:1, Matthew 11:28-30)

4) Which of these new covenant outcomes means the most to you? Why? What things can you do to build this reality into your life in a greater way?

5) A priest serves as a kind of “bridge” between God and humanity. Jesus is our great high priest, but as followers of Jesus, we are also called to a priestly ministry (I Peter 2:4-5). How is our ministry like that of Jesus? How is it different? 

6) How can you use the analogy of a bridge to explain to an unbeliever what Jesus has done for us? (What scriptures might be part of your explanation: Romans 3:23, John 3:16, 10:9-10, I Timothy 1:15)

7) Who in your circle of relations needs hear the gospel? 

Close your time in prayer. Thank God for the aspect of the new covenant which is speaking most loudly to you. Pray for the strength to live out the reality of the new covenant. Pray for the person in your circle of relationships that needs to hear about the bridge to God Jesus has made possible.

Philippians | Week 4 | Small Group Questions

Coastline Bible Church is doing an eight-week sermon series called: "Defined by Joy." The Apostle Paul helped plant the church in Philippi (see Acts 16) but never forget about them. They played a key role in supporting him as God called him to plant other churches. From this series we want to learn how to have our lives defined by joy and not circumstances. Paul modeled this well to the early church. For this series I volunteered to write the small group questions that go along with each sermon. It seemed like a waste to leave them in a file on my computer and not share them with everyone.

Small Group Questions | 1,000 Points of Light | Philippians 2:12-30

If we were to summarize Philippians 1 it would be: Christ first. The summary of Philippians 2 would be: Others next. Paul realized that the generation he was living in was a crooked and warped generation. He knew that if the local church obeyed the truth of God and lived that out in their community that the natural conclusion would be an opportunity to serve others. Paul longed for the early church to be a light to a dark world. Knowing this he encouraged them to have a relentless commitment to become like Christ, to have a joy that reflects Christ, and to live out a sacrificial love for others. He gave them examples of selfless love to help them be a light to others.  

1) Doug taught us that the Luxor light in Las Vegas is the brightest light in the entire world. The light can be seen from 300 miles away. How can we be a brighter light in our homes, neighborhood, community, and workplace for Christ? 

2) Read Philippians 2:12-13. Paul encouraged the church to work out their salvation with fear and trembling. None of us can work FOR our salvation, but how do we play an active role in growing in our faith? (see Psalm 5:3, Mark 1:35, Acts 2:42-47)

3) Paul taught the church that it was God working in them. As you think about maturing in your faith, share about how you’ve seen God in your life to fulfill His good purpose. It might be something that happened years ago or recently. 

4) We are called to do everything without complaining or arguing (Philippians 2:14-18). What is something that you have been complaining about lately and you need to stop complaining about it because it’s not solving the problem? 

5) Scripture calls us to be holy because God is holy (read 1 Peter 1:15-16). What does it look like to be blameless and pure in a crooked generation? How can you lean into God when you’re struggling being holy? (see Romans 8:26). 

6) Read Philippians 2:19-30. We read about early church leaders who put the needs of others before their personal needs. They modeled a sacrificial love to those around them. How can we live that same lifestyle? (see 1 John 4:16-21, 5:3). 

7) The church in Philippi was marked by a deep concern for the needs of others. Compare their attitude with the parable in Luke 12:16-21. As you think about your life, who do you want to be more like?   

Close your time in prayer by praying for: Young Life. 

Pursue- Week 3 Small Group Questions

Coastline Bible Church is doing a four-week sermon series called: "Pursue." During this series we are going to study the Scriptures about loving God, loving others, living a holy life, and having a healthy marriage or preparing for marriage. This is a sermon series for everyone who is looking to have a little more love in their life. It seems there has been so much division in our Nation over the last several years. Marriages are growing cold. Dating relationships are falling apart under the stress of the pandemic. For this sermon we had Doug Meye write the small group questions that go along with this sermon. It seemed like a waste to leave them in a file on my computer and not share them with everyone.

Small Group Questions ::: Love for a Lifetime ::: 1 Corinthians 13

Pretty much everyone agrees that “love” is one of the most important concepts in relationships and life.  Yet, love is used in so many different ways, to describe so many different things, that it’s difficult to know what love really means. As followers of Jesus, we can begin here: God is the definition of love. Furthermore, God’s love for us shows us how to love others. The deepest and most intense expression of this kind of love is found in the marriage relationship. In this study we will dig into the kind of love that’s needed to make a marriage last a lifetime, and why those who love for a lifetime come to understand God’s love in a richer way. But this study goes way beyond marriage: it’s for all of us who want our everyday relationships to better express and experience a different kind of love.

1) As a group think of as many different phrases/sayings as you can that have the word love in them. (For example – It’s love that makes the world go round.) 

Read I Corinthians 13

2) Based on I Corinthians 13, do your best to define love in a single sentence? 

3) Many people have noted that you could easily replace the word “love” in I Corinthians with “Jesus.”  Try it with some of the phrases.  In what substantial ways does Jesus’ love differ from the love you described in question 1? 

4) The divorce rate in our culture is very high. What is the reason Jesus tell his listeners Moses grant a certificate of divorce in the OT law (Matthew 19:8)? What different kinds of things can make it so challenging for two people to stay married for the rest of their lives? How does Matthew 19:8 factor into these challenges?

5) In the sermon on Sunday, the following 4 exhortations were given to help marriages last a lifetime: Stay Married, Choose Love, Apply Grace, Invest Generously.  What is meant by each of these? Which one spoke the most loudly to you personally? How can you apply it? What would you add to these?

6) Author Gary Thomas has written a (wonderful) book on marriage, called Sacred Marriage. The subtitle of the book is: What if God Designed Marriage More to Make Us Holy than to Make us Happy? How do you respond to this subtitle? Why is the marriage relationship such a powerful instrument in God’s hand for us to become more like Jesus?  

7) As a church, Coastline wants to be a community which strengthens marriages, comes alongside those who have experience brokenness, and helps all experience the transforming power of Jesus in their lives and relationships. Having gone through this study, what do you most need from others in your groups.