Sheep Stealing – Church Growth at What Cost?

"I want to close this letter with this story, for it illustrates a serious problem in the church today. The service had just concluded, and several people were sharing with me what the Lord had done in their lives that morning. The minister of music brought a young lady by to meet me. This was one about whom he had spoken to me earlier, the one with the "gorgeous voice." just that week she had joined the church in order to be in his choir.
After we had talked for a few minutes, the young lady left, and he went on to tell me about the wonderful crop of soloists he had in his choir of several hundred. There were so many, in fact, that, except during pageant season, they only got to sing a solo in church about once a year. His music program was continually attracting musicians and singers from churches all across the city. They were joining because of all the exciting things being offered.
I restrained myself from saying what I wanted to say, mainly because there were others standing there, but my mind went immediately to the passage in 1 Samuel 12. I thought of the story the prophet Nathan recounted to King David- that of the one ewe lamb, owned by the poor man. This single lamb was taken by the rich man, who possessed a large number of sheep and cattle, and used to feed his guest. Though this may not be a perfect analogy, it illustrates the spirit that has entered the church today-a spirit that is the antithesis of the spirit we see in the early church.
You see, I knew more about the membership change by that soprano than anyone realized. I knew that in many ways she had been the "ewe lamb" in the church she had left. She had been the only trained voice in the choir. She had blessed that small congregation all year with her God-given talent. No see didn't get to sing in any big pageants, for her congregation was small. She never experienced the thrill of participating in a choir several hundred strong. There was no orchestra to accompany her when she sang. She did a lot more giving than getting, and finally she was persuaded she would "get more out of church" if she moved. And move she did – but at what cost?
Research has shown that much of the growth of our largest churches has been at the expense of smaller churches. Much of the increase comes as a result of members from other churches being attracted to bigger and more exciting programs. I am not saying that "bigness" in itself is wrong. I am saying, however, that some vital things are being overlooked in the drive to grow bigger. Some things are being encouraged that are basically not in the Spirit of Christ. Scripture tells us when one part of the body hurts, we all hurt. When another part of the body is discouraged, we all feel it. How wrong it is when we ourselves become the source of hurt and discouragement.
That Sunday, in the small church the "ewe lamb" was missing. 'lf any man would follow me. ..." (He must deny himself)
Dear church member, remember that the Christian life is fundamentally a love relationship with God out of which issues a life of worship and service. It is a life of giving. Worship is not something you get; it is something you give! Worship does not begin in the worship service; worship begins in the heart. As the apostle Paul expressed so strongly, "I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-which is your spiritual worship" (Rom. 12:1 NIV). "

("Return to Worship- A God - Centered Approach", Ron Owens, Boradman & Holman, Nashville TN, 1999 pg 79-80)

Transfer Growth:

"This little quip addresses the problem of transfer growth. A Missionary was telling me how Canton Ohio church had the same issue a few years back. And he was not a popular guy for writing a letter about it to the church Elders. Canton , as you know, was once the largest church in the fellowship, back 30 yrs ago. 3000 members. They made a decisive decision to become a church planting church rather than a mega church. So they began to plant churches all around the city. I forget how many churches they planted, but it was a lot.

Anyway, the church back about 8 yrs ago was running about 1200. They got a new minister, who felt they needed to "Grow" bigger. So they shifted models. Rather than being a mothering church, planting new churches. The new minister wanted to grow bigger into a mega church. I believe the idea was to enable them to offer a better selection of programming etc. The sum result was an undermining of 30 yrs of church planting. The Mother church, was growing very quickly again, every 6 months saw a great increase. However, who were the new comers? You guessed it. From all the churches around them. Including all the churches that they planted and mothered around them, over 30 years. These churches they mothered, were loosing members left right and center to the mother church. It was hurting them all. People leaving were saying it was better for the kids and their family. Better youth groups, and more programs for their family etc.

The Missionary seeing the problem, and talking with many of the ministers and Elders in the surrounding churches wrote to the elders about it.

Needless to say, he got a very cold shoulder from the minister after that. Why is it one can't even question growth these days? Growth at what cost, at who's expense? Is that not a question we should be asking in the face of the problem of transfer growth? If a church is growing – to assume they are simply gathering new "Transfers" would be a correct assumption for 95% of the churches that grow – by the way. That is why I take it with a grain of salt. Who is really touching unbelievers? "

Andy Rayner Feb 20, 2003)