ChristianWeek

Church growth experts know it’s almost impossible to predict the next big wave. You’d think it would be easier to look back and do church growth forensics after the fact…but it ain’t necessarily so! As Quebec’s evangelical churches celebrated the 40th anniversary of the summer that began their huge period of growth, it was fascinating to hear the differing explanations.

My Pentecostal friends are convinced their churches exploded because they let the Spirit work more freely. Some of my Baptist friends are pretty sure their growth was kickstarted by their strategic committees. Some of my other Baptist friends know their growth rate went through the roof because they had the right pastors.

My Brethren colleagues knew they grew because instead of pastors running one-man shows they had committed teams of elders in each local assembly. While the charismatics know it was their exciting worship services that attracted people, the conservatives are convinced that solid biblical teaching brought the crowds.

Good luck getting consensus about future church growth!

I am thankful for some refreshing conversations I ’ve heard over the past months. A Baptist church planting group is committed enough to help plant healthy churches in needy Montreal neighborhoods that they’re willing to offer support and resources to other groups. A key leader from one of Canada’s very traditional English denominations told me about their desire to help the unreached French-speaking people in Quebec even at the cost of “loosening up” a little.

I see God’s sense of humour (and His sovereignty) in the fact that the two key groups in one of the last massive revivals in the British Isles were the Anglican church at one end of the organizational spectrum and the Brethren who are so unhierarchical that some of their local assemblies won’t even call themselves churches and still resist even appointing elders. When God decides to pour out His blessing, He apparently uses whoever is there, ready and available to meet the needs.

Which is why it’s so exciting to be in Quebec right now. Dozens of pastors and denominational leaders confirm their feeling that there is something brewing just below the surface. People are spiritually hungry and searching, perhaps more than they ever have.

Celebrating this special 40th anniversary has reminded Quebecers that the glory days of the past came at huge personal cost, and they are kneeling to tell God they are ready and willing.

So please, don’t just pray “for Quebec.” Ask God to raise up more believers willing to do whatever it takes, to pay whatever price is required, to sacrifice whatever personal comfort must be given up…to see needy people reached with the love of Christ.