“I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase” – 1 Corinthians 3:6.
God has a plan for every church’s growth. It includes some planting and others watering, then God giving the increase. It is to our own detriment that we try to abandon or avoid this process of God. Can we have revival or increase without this? Sure, but not to the extent we can when we follow God’s plan.
One of the greatest strengths of Americans in general is our rugged sense of individualism. But as is often the case, our strength is also our weakness. No one can go it alone. God did not design His kingdom that way. God’s economy of Kingdom growth includes some planting and others watering, then He gives the increase.
This is the importance of the fivefold ministry operating properly, Biblically. This is the importance of a pastor allowing his local church body to be exposed to other ministries to labor with him in the vineyard of the Lord. No minister can be every piece of the puzzle that equals the growth of the local church.
Consider the Apostle Paul, yes an Apostle – some even considering him the greatest Apostle. He reveals he did not do it by himself. He planted, but someone else watered AND because they followed God’s plan . . . God gave the increase. If we want the full “increase” God has destined for us we must follow His plan for growth.
Ask yourself. Do I … periodically have visiting ministers and special meetings? Try to make sure others are allowed to labor in the vineyard I oversee? Allow God to connect me with other ministries to labor together? Open myself to other ministers’ insight on church growth?
It has been my pleasure to minister in meetings around America and the world. My observation has been that pastors who allow other ministries to labor with them experience the greatest level of growth. Example: local churches that host a Harvest Conference increase their average attendance by 35%.
Brian Norman travels full-time preaching Jesus Christ. Phone: 636-544-0627 Website: GlobalEvangelism.org or HarvestConference.org