Why I Believe in Church Growth (Part 4)

Because JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF BELIEVED IN CHURCH GROWTH

Jesus was committed to the growth of His church and clearly expressed His desire to see His church grow.

Matt.16:18 (KJV) I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."

To build means growth and development. We also learn from this passage that Jesus Himself is the growth agent of the church. He personally grows/builds the church. Therefore, any church that resists growth is actually resisting Christ and is working against Him. When new people come in, get saved, and call this their church family, what's happening? JESUS IS BUILDING HIS CHURCH.


To what extent does He expect His church to grow? He expects it to grow until it becomes a WORLDWIDE CHURCH. Keep in mind He started out with 120 people in Jerusalem and for the last 2000 years the church has continued to grow. Jesus said, "And this gospel shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come" (Matt.24:14; 26:13). Jesus clearly has a WORLD-VISION, and as follower's of His WE MUST BE COMMITTED TO THE SAME VISION.

My vision for PCC is not that we would just be another small church on the corner that isn't even noticed. It's for the entire community. That's why we've called ourselves a "community church" - we're going to make an impact for this entire community. Then in Milton, then in Pensacola. Eventually, there will be thousands and thousands of people in both Santa Rosa and Escambia counties who know this church is here and stands for something!

You should read our vision statement over and over again until it gets hold of you. Our vision must be as large as Christ’s vision.