Listen to the words of Zechariah 4:6: “Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of Jehovah unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith Jehovah of hosts.”
This verse was impressed upon me when I saw it posted above the stage in the chapel of the Michigan church camp we purchased from a denominational group. Perhaps the verse was outside my awareness and memory verses during my growing up years because of a lack of emphasis on the Holy Spirit. The Old Testament verse is not a clear reference to the Holy Spirit. The verse does not say that the power for rebuilding the temple is “Holy Spirit power.” The point is that human power and might, even that of a king, is not sufficient for the task at hand. The power for God’s work is God’s power.
Earlier this week I have written twice about the power of the gospel–God’s eternal plan. The difference between a stagnant church and a growing church is determined by whether the gospel is being shared regularly. Church growth does not require super-human power. Church growth is not by human might or power. The modern church too often has its focus in the wrong place on the wrong things. The answer to church growth is not in more advertising, public relations, slick posters, better lighting or less lighting, better sermons or shorter sermons, more community events or less. The power for God’s work is in God’s word, the sword of the Spirit.
I have ministered to churches that needed healing. That is a special kind of ministry that should last for a limited time. Some churches are not strong enough and healthy enough to reach out, and in their weakness cannot retain those who are added. Such churches need healing. But eventually the key to healing and strength is to restore the activity and capacity of that which is broken. As physical therapy exercises and strengthens the physical body, so must the healing church be involved in “spiritual therapy.” Few activities exercise the spiritual body more than sharing the gospel. I am glad the contemporary church has recognized the need for fellowship, education, and ministries that meet internal needs. These are important, but they will by themselves grow the church. The church grows when the gospel is shared.
To experience this kind of healthy church growth, we must depend on God and his power. Ours is to do all we can with the open doors and opportunities he provides. Pray as if everything depended on God and work as if everything depended on you.