Blizzard of 2013 and Church Growth

As I am sitting here and contemplating the blizzard of 2013, I can’t help but think about how much like church growth a blizzard is. I am thinking about all the driveways and sidewalks I hope to dig out for people. For many months, we have prayed earnestly for snow. We know the harvest in June is dependent about the winter snow. It is always interesting to hear people complain about how God answers our prayers. I hope most of my church genuinely desires church growth. If it comes like a blizzard, are we willing to work through the inconvenience and headaches growth will, not might, cause our church. Is the promise of a future harvest worth the pain and hassle today? • We pray for snow but don’t like a blizzard. We pray for our church to grow but don’t like a lot of growth. • We like snow in amounts that are helpful for our farmers but do not inconvenience us too much. We honestly desire our church to grow. We just want the growth to be at a pace that doesn’t inconvenience us. Blizzards are amazingly inconvenient. Church growth is amazingly inconvenient. • Many of those who pray for snow are the first and loudest to complain about a blizzard. Many of those who pray for the church to grow are the first to complain about not having their “reserved” pew on Sunday morning. • At the harvest, some will rejoice and remember the blizzard with fondness and gratefulness to our God. Some will think they are amazing farmers because of the huge harvest. Most won’t think about the harvest at all. When our church sees a great harvest, some will look back on fondness and gratefulness at how great God’s grace is. Some will think about how special they are and how great our church has become to see such amazing growth. Most won’t consider the spiritual harvest at all. • In a blizzard, we see the family work together to dig out, to get through, and enjoy the inconvenience of the blizzard. In church growth, we will see the family of God come together to dig out, get through and enjoy the inconvenience of church growth. It will be different in a larger church, but you don’t have to get lost in a larger church (if we do things well, your needs will be met. We will use our deacon ministry, small groups, fellowship, discipleship classes etc to make sure you are not lost in our church) • As you dig out of the blizzard, don’t focus on the snow, but rejoice in the coming harvest. When our church explodes in growth, don’t focus on the growth, focus on the coming harvest. • During a blizzard, though it only affects my life in physical ways, I know the farmer is rejoicing in ways I can’t even imagine. As I dig out today, tomorrow, and Saturday, I will be thinking and rejoicing with the farmer. The blizzard of 2013 is not about me. As our church grows, it will affect most of you in physical ways. But the lost that are found, the blind that will see, the prodigal who comes home, the husband and wife who recommit their marriage to God will be rejoicing in ways you can’t even imagine. Church growth is not about you and me and it about “them.” I could go on and on. Needless to say, the blizzard of 2013 changes everything for a season. The pain and mess will be worth it in June. As our church grows, I can assure everyone it will get messy and will change everything. But if God is faithful to His Word, it will also mean an amazing harvest will be realized. Doesn’t that sound exciting and fun? It will be the most amazing adventure you have ever been on. Focus on the harvest! Focus on the people we will reach. Focus on our Savior saying to us, “Well done my good and faithful servant.” May our church grow for His glory not our comfort; for His Kingdom to advance not for our agenda to prosper; for heaven to be populated with souls God used us to reach. Dig out… the harvest is coming! 35 Do you not say, 'Four months more and then the harvest'? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.(John 4:35).