I was thinking this week about all the different things you could do and programs you could implement to grow a church. But now that I’ve been a youth pastor for almost two years, I realize Jesus is really into numbers and that every number has a person and story behind it. As I dive more into the lives of my students through relationship, I know God will give us the numbers by adding daily to the church those being saved.

Yes, numbers are important. Here is what they mean to me in regards to our youth group this year:
– The number of young people that said, “Yes” to inviting Jesus into their hearts.
– The number of young people Jesus has healed from anxiety problems.
– The number of young people who are no longer depressed and/or on medication for depression.
– The number of young people who will be baptized this coming September 2, 2012.
– The number of young people who gave up smoking weed.
– The number of young people who are now committed to saving themselves for marriage.
– The number of young people on whom you can now see the glow of God’s glory on their face as witnessed and testified by their friends.

God’s desire is to reveal His glory in and through each person. Check out Acts 2:41 and 47b (NLT): 41 Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all.  47b And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.

 

 

Here are four take-away points after the 3,000 from Acts 2:
1. The church grew because the gospel was preached in a way that pierced the hearts of those who heard it.
2. Miracles, signs, and wonders were a daily lifestyle.
3. They did not stop at salvation.
4. The church continued to grow because everyone was activated in discipleship and fellowship.

I also wanted to make a comment about the quality growing the church. Meaning, do the people behind the numbers stay, are they getting disciple/mentored, cared for, and is transformation happening?  Speaking on behalf of my youth group, I believe the single most measurable sign after salvation is transformation.  We are reaching to grow in numbers but it’s not at the expense of caring for each student to see transformation take place.

Finally, Jesus said it best when it comes to numbers because He does not assign a numerical limit when speaking about the great commission.
18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”  Matthew 28:18-20 (NLT)

God is all about numbers and I’m pumped that He wants to use His church to numerically add souls daily to His Kingdom. There is no number cap on reaching our community with the love of Christ. Our heart should believe God for large numbers of people to be added to our churches until everyone is saved.

I want every person in Novato and Marin to have a personal relationship with Christ and I want our church and the other churches in our community to grow in numbers.

Romans 1:16
16 For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile.