I picked up the “baptist” today, the “magazine of the baptist churches of new zealand.” A brochure and an envelope fell to the floor. They were apparently hidden inside the paper.

The big envelope was obviously for money.

But I was immediately interested in the little brochure. Why? Because on the cover was written in big fancy letters: “How you can help churches grow.” I am surely interested in the growth of churches.  “Growing Healthy Churches” is written on the frontcover of the “baptist”.

When I looked closer at the brochure, I was disappointed. It was all about money. It was a brochure of the NZ Baptist Savings & Development Society Inc. (BSDS)

I mulled all this over and eventually picked up a book written by an evangelist who is very much interested in church growth and is an elder of a church that is growing and growing.

Money is not even mentioned in the book!

HE SAYS THAT A CHURCH CAN ONLY GROW  IF THE SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP OF THE CHURCH IS CALLED BY GOD!