There are several ways a congregation can grow.  However the two most often seen is “transfer growth” and “organic growth.”  

 Transfer growth is the addition of new members through a merging of congregations, or believers moving from one congregation to another for whatever reason.  This type of growth is “congregational growth,” but it is not “Organic Growth” or what is also known as “Kingdom growth.”  In other words the Kingdom of God does not grow when someone moves from one congregation to another. 

 But the Kingdom does grow when a new person receives Christ as their personal savior and joins with other believers worshiping together.  The purpose of the “Great Commission” is for growing the Kingdom of God.  It is not to have big crowds, big buildings, big budgets, and the human accolades that come from fame and financial rewards. 

 It is about loving people, and being used by God to connect them to God.  God loves all people so much.  And He wants us to allow God to give us that same love for all people.  Not just Christians for Christians.

 Unlike Jesus, too many Christians only go where Christians are.  But how can we reach unbelievers if we don’t go where they are?

 We have to take the truth of Christ Jesus to them, where they work, play, and hangout. Just like Jesus did.  He didn’t just hang out with people that believed in him.  He was a friend to sinners too.  Are you? 

 Most Christians have developed their circle of friends over the years.  And this eventually leads to a comfort zone where people feel like “I have enough friends, and I don’t need any more.”  Once we arrive at this place the idea of leading people to Jesus is no longer central to living a life in Christ. 

 This is one major reason the Church in America is slowly shrinking.