Family Churches

[raypam]

I have been involved with a family church since the age of maybe 14.  It's my uncles church and I joined there.  Anywaz it's really his inlaws and his ex-inlaws.  Now they are wanting the church to grow past family but it's not happening.  Also there's this one thing in the church history, I didnt' found out about to this year that explains why there is only one family in the church.  They supposedly shouted around a pastor that wasn't kin to them picked him up and took him outside of the church and said The Lord said it shouldn't be.  Well if you invite people to the church, they are like you mean the holiness church they kicked out pastor smith.

To an extent honestly I believe some of them have been brainwashed because some of them think there is no other church but there's.  I'm just in much prayer about it.

Are there any suggestions about growing a church past a family?

[SisterT]

I have been involved with a family church since the age of maybe 14.  It's my uncles church and I joined there.  Anywaz it's really his inlaws and his ex-inlaws.  Now they are wanting the church to grow past family but it's not happening.  Also there's this one thing in the church history, I didnt' found out about to this year that explains why there is only one family in the church.  They supposedly shouted around a pastor that wasn't kin to them picked him up and took him outside of the church and said The Lord said it shouldn't be.  Well if you invite people to the church, they are like you mean the holiness church they kicked out pastor smith.

To an extent honestly I believe some of them have been brainwashed because some of them think there is no other church but there's.  I'm just in much prayer about it.

Are there any suggestions about growing a church past a family?

You are not the Pastor!! As long as God hasn't removed him, you can't do anything beyond the pastor's vision.  Whether you like it or not, God doesn't work through you, He work through the Pastor, unless, of course, God isn't coming to your church. If God isn't there, a Christian shouldn't stay there.

Has your Pastor solicited your help in the "Church Growth" plan? Have you asked him if you can implement a "church growth" plan? If either of the answers is no, than get your hands out of the pot.

Now if you are functioning in submission to your Pastor, there are several books in a Christian Bookstore that can help you with Church growth. Just stay away from "Bake Sales", "Dinner Sales", or any other gimmicks. Jesus never used a gimmick to get people saved or to grow them, or to grow His church. Why in the world do we??!!!

[jzznjon]

Raypam,
   Sister T is right. You are not the Pastor. God will not move pass the vision of the Pastor. Churches built from just families are tough situations. Sometimes our disatisfaction with our situations is a sign that we've grown pass them. God has a place for all of us and sometimes its not with family. There are many churches to choose from we don't have to be unhappy or not growing in church and certainly don't die in Church. Also sometimes we won't know the place that God has for us until we see it. Remember Abram. He didn't know where he was going and he didn't know where to offer up his son as a sacrifice until he saw the place. Maybe its time to look for your place. Ask me how I know?

                                                           Jzznjon

[JoyCH]

I also agree with SisterT and the others. If you're not being fed the Word -its time to move on. If you're going to hang in there suggest "Purpose Driven Church" book.

[jayjay]

A family church, that's the first problem, what ever happen to Christ's Church?  God has and will always have a vision for His church, and the bible does explain that vision very clearly.  They probably feel safe with in their own circle, A churche's growth is done by the work of the spirit, it was the spirit that first born the church and and the effort of spirit filled people that made it grow and spread.  Your folks obviously sense a problem because they want to move out of the comfort zone of family only, which could be Spirit stirring the pot. But always remember, "It's not by might- not by power, but by my spirit" and "Seek and you will find, Knock and it will be open to you."  I hope it's time to stop being a family church, and start being a church that is a family.  Stay focused and blest.