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Gary Miller
This truth is easily seen in my neck of the woods. I live in an area where many people still grow tobacco. In years past, every little farm had their own quota they were allowed to grow. I’m not totally sure why, but one reason was to allow the small farm operation to be able to make money from this crop as well as the bigger farms. Late summer and early fall were the designated times to harvest the tobacco. And after it was all cut down, there was left an empty and barren field. In order to keep down erosion on that field, the farmers would plant an annual crop of either rye or wheat because it was the cheapest seed to buy. By the time the grass began to grow, deer would show up in each field just waiting on each tender shoot to show its head. From then through the end of deer season, these would be the best hunting places on every farm. Many farmers are still involved in this process. But if the farm you are hunting does not have this type of field, make one yourself; because if you build it, they will come.
Someone has said, “Growth is not automatic. It is intentional.” In most parts of life, this is a true statement. Growth can never be assumed. It can never be taken for granted. But the key to any growth is making sure the environment is conducive for growth. That is, if anything is planted in the environment it is designed for, it will grow. Nothing has to be done to make it grow. It will grow because it is planted in the place it was intended for. If something is not growing and yet is planted in its intended environment; we shouldn’t be meeting together on how we can make this object grow. But the real question should be, “What are we doing that is hindering its growth. Or, what is in the environment that is hindering its growth?”
I believe today the church is planted in the environment she was designed for. And yet most are not growing. Week after week, leadership is meeting and asking this question. “What can we do to make our church grow?” The real question is “What are we doing that is hindering her growth?” When we answer that, we will have solved the church growth problem. Jesus said, “…. I will build my church.” The job is not yours or mine.
