8 Ways to (Effectively) Keep Your Church Attendance Below 200
Church growth gurus are idolaters. They deny the doctrine of election. They mislead people with the error of universal redemption, by Christ, at the cross. They argue that anyone and everyone can be saved by simply deciding for salvation, themselves, and contrary to God’s will. Church growth is a lie. Why?
There is a definite number of God’s chosen people (Rev 13:8. 17:8). He knows them by name (Jn 10:3). This makes church growth impossible. In love, God predestined a select group for salvation (Eph 1:4–5). That number is known only to God, but He promises that not even one of them will be lost for eternity (Jn 10:28–29; Rom 8:35–39). The fixed number of elect, redeemed saints exposes the deceit of the church growth movement.
When men of God, called by God, to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ (1 Jn 2:2), in the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit (Rom 15:19; 1 Cor 2:4), are found faithful to their task, then the application of the benefits of Christ’s meritorious death are brought to each elect soul (Rom 10:17). The Holy Spirit grants faith as a gift (Phil 1:29), and the chosen soul is gathered into the church (Mt16:18; 1 Cor 12:13).
Church growth calls everyone to the free will decision to choose Christ Jesus, as their Savior. The reprobate, deceived by church growth promoters, makes his decision and pretends to be a Christian. By this, church growth adds goats into membership, and even wolves to lead the church.
One may ask, “How can we prevent these additions to the church?” Here are eight ways to efficiently and effectively keep Christ’s local churches below two hundred people. These techniques are helpful for allowing the pastor and the congregation to be Christ’s little flock in their particular location (Lk 12:32).
First, keep your pastor, as your only pastor. By multiplying the number of pastors, you risk the multiplication of groups and subgroups within the church family. In this, the pastor is disconnected further and further from the care of souls, for which He is entrusted to serve.
Second, let your pastor do His job. Local churches are inundated with pastor/leader wannabes. The man of God has been educated and trained to do what God intends him to do in the church, which is the ministry of the Word (Acts 6:4). If your pastor actually preaches the Bible, expositionally, he will chase away the goats and the wolves by His pulpit ministry. This will naturally keep the congregation smaller and healthier.
Third, let the pastor care for the flock. That, too, is his job (1 Pet 5:1–5). He should know every person in the local gathering, by name. He should be intimately aware of the spiritual state of each person. The imperative, of the care of souls, takes time, and this, consequently, limits the number that can be cared for at any one time. Over 200 people makes this increasingly impossible for one man of God — a man, who each member personally calls, “pastor.”
Fourth, the pastor should prioritize the weak members of Christ’s body, entrusted to his care. Jesus pressed this issue, by emphasizing that every labor done, “to the least of these My brethren,” was done to Him. The weakest member, and his or her care, is a sign of a healthy pastorate and a healthy church. This activity is the antithesis of numerical church growth.
Fifth, eliminate the idea of leadership in the church. The church has one leader, that is, Christ (Mt 23:10; Col 1:18). Coupled with that are the over-doers in the church, who lust for prominence and accolades, which creates conflict with others. Good works should be such that the left hand is unaware of what the right hand is doing.
Sixth, eliminate teams, boards, committees, or whatever popular term is currently being imported from the world system. There are two offices in the church: elder and deacon (1 Tim 3; Tit 1). There are many gifts given to Christians. Whether gifts or offices, there is nothing but service to one another. Nothing should be so complex in the local church that it must be managed by non-office holders. Each does his or her task, as the Spirit of Christ leads and directs (Prv 3:5–6; Jn 16:13).
Seventh, when something is needed by the family or the facility, then the Spirit will move someone to solve the problem. Elders and deacons will ensure all is done in an orderly manner. Keep everything simple and serviceable. If it adds complexity, then it will invite competition, confusion, criticism, and conflict.
Eighth, just accept everything, as it is for now. If God is with you, He does not need anyone to be the change agent in His church. When it is Christ making adjustments, the flock will know because there will be unity in the Spirit and peace among the brethren, resulting in joy.
Finally, it must be noted how challenging it is to keep a congregation below two hundred people. If your local body is pushing toward that number, then pray for God to help you to plant a new congregation. Clearly, He has been adding to His church, building it Himself in your locale, for this purpose. The objective is multiplication of local churches, not mega-status.
Rejoice in Christ’s little flock, in which you are a family member. Give thanks to God for His intimate care, in His house of prayer. Resist the temptation and lust, for the devil’s church growth program. There is no such thing.
David Norczyk
Spokane Valley, Washington
December 28, 2021
