Anyone who is even a casual observer knows that most small groups are not growing. Indeed most churches are not growing either. There are several reasons but chief among the reasons why most groups and/or churches are not growing is that their strategies are not designed for growth. Today ministries are focused on all kinds of projects and good works except the mission which Christ, commanded us to be involved in as found in the Great Commission, Matthew 28:18-20.
18And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19"(Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.
The truth is we have added so many activities and projects that are not aimed at winning people or teaching people or ministering to the needed that there is often not money, time or people to do the work of the Great Commission. We have entered into the age of entertainment in the church and that has become unfortunately the focus of many of our ministries.
We must refocus our efforts. We must make a commitment that we will focus on the main thing. Going, making disciples, baptizing and teaching these are the main things. As important as other areas of ministry can be and as needed as compassionate ministry is Jesus made clear in this charge to the church that these were the main thing that the church should be focused on.
