Are We Commanded to Grow the Church or the Congregation

Some might wonder what the difference is between these two groups, but it is quite clear within Scripture. In fact, no place in the Bible commands the growth of the congregation. The Church, which is the Body of Christ made up solely of believers, is the focus of every passage about growth.

The congregation is the same as the local church. Its members include both believers and non-believers. This situation benefits the congregation because it serves as a place for ministry and a channel through which the Spirit brings people who repent into the Body.

This situation mirrors what was discussed in the post on “The Meanings of ‘People of God” It is not surprising that God commands the growth of the Church. Souls are the fruit of the Church’s ministry. Each member has a place and is a gift from God (Eph 4:7-16), just as God gave the Levites (Num 8:9-10) to serve as ministers. Believers do not own these gifts; rather, they are given by the Spirit to fulfill their ministry (Rom 8:14). The fruit of the Church’s ministry is souls, as it was for believers in the Old Testament (Deut 4:6-8).

Scriptures such as Matthew 28:19-20, Luke 14:23, Acts 1:8, and John 12:32 emphasize the mission and scope of this ministry. These passages command the Church to reach the lost and instruct the found.

Luke 14:23 is sometimes used by “church growth” experts to promote their programs to increase congregation size, but the parable from which this verse is taken does not support this interpretation. The dinner parable begins in verse 16 and follows a statement, possibly by a Pharisee, saying, “Blessed is everyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God” (15). Jesus’ parable explains how those invited to the kingdom of God (the dinner) make excuses, much like sinners do. They refuse to come to the house, which is the Father’s (John 14:2). So, the master commands his servants in verses 21-23 to bring in the poor, hurting, and strangers to the dinner. Since the subject is the kingdom of God, this cannot be the local church. The servants represent the Church, and those they bring are the ones who accept His call. Jesus supports this by describing what it takes to be a disciple. Coming to God requires commitment, wisdom, and the placement of one’s treasure in heaven. The disciple owns possessions, not the other way around.

Another passage speaking of the Church’s growth is Acts 2:44-47. Those added were “those who were being saved” (47). The mission of the Church is to draw people to God. This involves being a representative of Christ in the world and leading people to the Lord. It does not mean lowering standards by allowing sinners to represent the Church. Remember, a congregation will still exist when the Church departs from this world!