Problems with the Church Growth Movement

#1. There is an undue emphasis upon numerical growth which tends to measure success by how many people can be gathered into a church building. But numbers, by themselves, should never be the mark of God’s approval or blessing. Many cults and false religious groups have secured large numbers of people, but are far from the kingdom of God.

#2. There is too much importance attached to human methods, marketing and clever gadgetry to secure church growth, rather than a humble reliance upon God to build His Church (Mt.16:18; Acts 2:47; 1 Cor.3:6-7; Col.2:19; Ps.127:1). Remember: What may work in the business world may not necessarily work in the kingdom of God – and we should not confuse the two!

#3. Church growth pastors often pattern their leadership style after the Corporate CEO model, rather than the humble, non-clerical shepherd model that is presented in the New Testament (Mt.23:8-12; Mk.10:35-45; 1 Pet.5:1-4).

#4. Churches that are heavily influenced by modern church growth principles inevitably tend to down-play doctrine, expository teaching, and a clear presentation of the full-counsel of God (Acts 20:20,27). The emphasis is usually upon feel-good sermons (sprinkled with a few Bible verses here and there) and practical hints for "successful" living.

#5. Too much importance is attached to one, multi-talented pastor, in contrast to the New Testament pattern which teaches us that the local church is to be pastored by a plurality of godly men (Acts 14:23; 20:17,28; 1 Tim.5:17; Tit.1:5; Heb.13:17; Jam.5:14; 1 Pet.5:1-4) and should not be expositionally-dependent upon one man alone for its instruction (Acts 13:1; 1 Thess.5:12-13; 1 Tim.5:17).

#6. Churches that are influenced by church growth theology place an undue emphasis upon meeting the "felt needs" of unbelievers, seeking to have them assimilate with believers in one church. There are, of course, several problems with this: (1) Nothing in Scripture indicates that we are to be preoccupied with meeting the "felt needs" of unbelievers; (2) Church meetings, are primarily, if not exclusively, designed for believers, not unbelievers. All of that which is to transpire with the church meeting presupposes that the participants are believers (e.g., corporate prayer, worship, celebration of the Lord’s Supper, exercising of spiritual gifts); (3) If we center our church meetings around the "felt needs" of unbelievers, those who are regenerate will tend to be neglected and probably not grow in the deeper truths of God’s Word (Heb.5:12-14; 6:1-2); (4) There is nothing in Scripture which indicates that unbelievers are to be evangelized during the church meeting. Instead, believers are to be instructed in the Faith so that they can be strengthened to witness to the pagans in the very places that they live and work.

#7. The mega-church meeting is too large to effectively minister on an individual level to its members. God never designed our church services to be so large that, on a practical level, we must go into spectator-mode with only one or a select few doing ministry (1 Cor.12:4-14; 14:12,26-32; Eph.4:11-16; 1 Pet.4:10-11). If we truly believe in the "priesthood of all believers," why would we ever deny the saints the opportunity to contribute and minister to one another during the church service? Once again, spiritual accountability and the development of deep, personal relationships rarely happens with so many people in attendance. Even the so-called smaller fellowship groups tend to be large and often foster a passive, spectator mentality. Contrary to what some may think, bigger is not necessarily better!

#8. With the de-emphasis upon doctrinal truth within church growth congregations, Christians tend to stay at a shallow level in their understanding of God and Scripture. Consequently, sanctification takes place at a snail’s pace.

Recommended Reading:

Douglas Webster, Selling Jesus: What’s Wrong With Marketing the Church (Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press, 1992).

John F. MacArthur, Jr., Ashamed of the Gospel (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 1993).

[ed.] Michael S. Horton, Power Religion (Chicago: Moody Press, 1992).

Os Guinness, Dining With the Devil: The Megachurch Movement Flirts With Modernity (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1993).

Philip D. Kenneson & James L. Street, Selling Out the Church: The Dangers of Church Marketing (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1997).