By Beth Jones

The "get it" factor ... how many Christians really do?

Do we really "get it" that the goal is to reach the lost? Do we really "get it" that it's not easy to stay relevant and successful in touching people in the heart with the gospel? Do we "get it" that it's not about us? Often, we say we do ... but do we?

What happens in a church where the lost attend, but the believer does not feel "fed"? How willing are we to attend the Small Groups, special events or prayer meetings so that we can be fed, while freeing up the weekend services for reaching the lost? How willing are we to roll up our sleeves and serve in the trenches of nursery, traffic, set up, cleaning crew so that the church can hold three or more services each weekend to reach the unchurched? These are real questions we have to ask if we really want to reach the lost ... really.

Keeping up with the culture isn't easy ... change isn't easy ... and in fact it can be downright uncomfortable. But if the main thing is reaching the lost and staying true to a big part of our mission as a church which is living for the Great Commission ... it's thrilling!

I love what a pastor in a growing church said about an 80-year-old man in his church who gets it! "I have an 80-year-old guy who is still in leadership with me who basically said, 'I hate everything about our music. But I love everything that we're accomplishing because people are coming to Christ.' "

Just reminder for all of us to continue to "get it"!

Rick Warren has a brilliant article on the subject of church growth and critics, where he makes a great statement regarding church growth ...

When you're small, they'll dismiss you; when you're growing, they'll criticize you; and when you're large, they'll resent you. So ignore "them" and get on with whatever God has told you to do!

Don't ya love it? We've experienced all of the above!

Fortunately, God doesn't allow us to hear most critics ... but hides us in His Presence from the strife of tongues. For the most part, Psalm 31:20 has been our experience, "You shall hide them in the secret place of Your presence from the plots of man; you shall keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues."

When we do hear the critics, it sounds like this ...

• We've heard people say that a church with a espresso bar is ungodly.
• We've heard people say that a church with rock music and intelligent lights is just entertainment.
• We've heard people say that a church that teaches healing and prosperity as God's will for His kids is in error.
• We've heard people say that a church where people wear jeans can't be blessed by God.
• Just recently we heard a radio preacher say, "... a church will never grow with women in leadership ... ." Mmmm ... interesting.

Well, we continue to watch God grow our church ... and others like it. People are coming into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, surrenduring to His Lordship; being progressively sanctified and conformed to His image; being filled with His love, joy and peace; being filled with the Spirit, loaded with His Word, healed, prospered, blessed to be a blessing ... and they are internally motivated to share Jesus with those in their world. We love it!

Like Rick Warren says, "... ignore 'them' and get on with whatever God has told you to do!"

"Go ye... ." (Matthew 28:18)

Copyright © 2007 Beth Jones Ministries All rights reserved.