I took the challenge from Nelson Searcy to make a list of 100 reasons why our church should grow. The premise is that if you know the “why,” any “how” is possible. I thought there was no way I could come up 100 reasons – 20 maybe – but once I got going, I couldn’t stop.
1. So God will be glorified.
2. So we can reach more lost people with the Good News of Jesus Christ.
3. So we can better serve our local community.
4. So we can get more involved in world missions.
5. So we can more quickly reproduce churches.
6. So we can ignite a church planting movement.
7. So we can plant a church/campus in [East] Grand Forks.
8. So we can develop more leaders.
9. So we can multiply more disciples.
10. So we can transform more children into disciples.
11. So we can have more people serving.
12. So we can hire Ben as a full time worship leader.
13. So we can hire Kevin as an executive pastor.
14. So we can support John more as a church planter in-training.
15. So we can take on more church planters in-training.
16. So we can have more people participating in powerful worship.
17. So we can give more away.
18. So we can make a bigger dent in the gates of hell.
19. So we can equip more people for ministry.
20. So we can support more church plants.
21. So we can have a truly generous benevolence ministry.
22. So we can buy a sign for the church.
23. So we can make a more effective and efficient website.
24. So we can make the church foyer more inviting.
25. So we can buy more children’s ministry resources.
26. So we can do more sound paneling to make the sound better.
27. So more lives will be changed.
28. So we can send more people out.
29. So we can open a coffee shop.
30. So we can open a youth center.
31. So we can have more, bigger and better concerts that reach more kids.
32. So we can open a discipleship training school.
33. So we can open a leadership development school.
34. So we can have a larger impact in the community.
35. So we can have a car repair ministry for single moms.
36. So we can facilitate a homeless hospitality network.
37. So we can have a legitimate internet ministry.
38. So we can buy video equipment to do multi-site ministry.
39. So we can have a creative arts team that helps make the message stick.
40. So we can have more people connecting with God and others in GPS groups.
41. So we can do more service projects.
42. So we can love more people.
43. So we can hire an administrator that will free others up for more ministry.
44. So we will have a bigger leadership pool to draw from.
45. So we can have more God-glorifying baptisms.
46. So we can have more God-honoring weddings.
47. So we can see God working in more lives.
48. So we can hear more testimonies of God’s goodness and grace.
49. So we can have multiple services that reach a wider audience.
50. So more people can hear and be transformed by our sermons.
51. So we can give God the credit.
52. So God will have a broader brush to paint his masterpiece.
53. So we can plant a church/campus in Moorhead.
54. So we can plant a church/campus in Crookston.
55. So we can plant a church/campus in Winnipeg (or some other Canadian city/town).
56. So we can plant a church/campus in Devils Lake, ND.
57. So we can plant a church/campus in Minot, ND.
58. So we can have resources to pave and stripe our parking lot.
59. So more people will call on the name of Jesus.
60. So hell will be de-populated.
61. So heaven will be more populated.
62. So we can record and produce a worship album that directs more people to God.
63. So more marriages will be saved.
64. So more families will be reconciled.
65. So more people will have eternal hope.
66. So more people will be set free from addictions.
67. So more people will be delivered from sinful behaviors and lifestyles.
68. So God can heal more hurts.
69. So more people can hear and respond to God’s calling on their life.
70. So we can buy the old Ben Franklin building and use it for ministry.
71. So we can dream bigger dreams.
72. So we can take more risks.
73. So we can see God do more miracles.
74. So we can trust God to provide for more needs.
75. So we can have resources to open a church office.
76. So we can have resources to supply and staff a church office.
77. So more people can experience authentic Christian community.
78. So we can develop new ministries.
79. So we can hire a children’s minister.
80. So we can hire a youth minister.
81. So we can provide more opportunities for men to deepen in their faith.
82. So we can be good stewards of what God has given us.
83. So we can have the church staffed during normal business hours.
84. So we can have a mom’s ministry.
85. So we can have more people involved in prayer.
86. So we can teach the Bible to more people.
87. So more people will experience unconditional love.
88. So we can have more people to clean the church.
89. So we can have more musicians to play on the worship team.
90. So more people will see church in a new light.
91. So Jesus’ name will be lifted high in Thief River Falls and beyond.
92. So we can have a mentoring ministry.
93. So more people will be sharing their faith with their peers.
94. So people can look and see what God has done and give Him praise.
95. So every knee will bow and tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord!
96. So more people will know that they matter to God.
97. So we can inspire more pastors and churches to dream big dreams for God.
98. So we can help other churches.
99. So we can have a wider reach.
100. So God can delight in us.
