Here’s a fascinating statistic from chapter 5 of Beyond Megachurch Myths — 21% of megachurch members volunteer weekly in community service. Ten percent of megachurches have over half their members active in community service on a weekly basis!
Wow!
Plainly, challenging our members to actually serve the community — people are who not part of the church — does not hurt church growth. In fact, if anything, it helps grow the church.
Now, this seems to defy common sense. Why not focus entirely on evangelism? Isn’t saving souls more important than filling stomachs? How can the church grow if so many people aren’t directly focused on evangelism?
And this is logical thinking — sort of. It’s just not Christian thinking. You see, we are called to live as Jesus lived and to honor his teachings. And in Matthew 25, he told us we’d be judged by our treatment of those in need.
Moreover, I’m persuaded that helping those in need is an effective — maybe the most effective — way to grow a church. You see, a church built on serving the needy has several advantages over other churches —
* Such a church will be filled with loving people. What better way to grow?
* Such a church will be attractive to the unchurched, especially among the young. We live in an age where community service is highly regarded.
* And sometimes it’s easier to invite someone to a service project than to a worship service.
* It’s also gives the members a way to explain their Christianity that the world can understand. No one cares if you’re right on the Arminianism vs. Calvinism question. They will be impressed if you are genuinely trying to help people in need.
And so, this statistic is a truly encouraging sign. But it’s also an important lesson for smaller churches. Roll your sleeves up and help those in need. Do it out of love, not to grow, but don’t be surprised if you do grow.
The growth may not even be from the people you serve — so never judge your efforts that way. The growth may come from others you find your service attractive or from members who get excited about their Christianity.
(Matt. 5:16) In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
(1 Pet 2:12, 15) Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. … For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men.
