The Book of Daniel and Church Growth

Some of you may have heard about The Book of Daniel, a new show about a priest who has variety of wacky family problems such as a gay Republican son, another son that is sex crazy, plus his own addiction issues. Oh the hilarity! One of the interesting comments I've read is some in the Episcopal Church feel like this will be a great advertisement for their church, showing a tolerant church that is open. That is an interesting point, but for many of us in the "mainline" we've been trying slogans and advertisement for many years, with only declining numbers to show for it.

Now, this is not a knock against advertisement or appealing to culture. We must be out the and present in our culture. But, for far too long we have stood for nothing at all, and folks want substance. They may turn to spirituality or snazzy slogans at times, but all of us want at the end of the day a purpose. That is one reason why The Purpose Driven Life has been so popular; it promises purpose a purpose for your life, plus it will help you find is.

Now, what does this rant have to do with church growth? We in the church sometimes "borrow" things from culture very effectivly. After all Charles Wesley used popular English song for the tunes for many of his hymns. But, sometimes we borrow the wrong stuff.

Growth will not come through TV shows or commercials or webpages, not that these are bad. The church I pastor has a webpage, and you are reading this on my blog! But, you don't become committed to church because of a website, you become committed to church because of Jesus Christ. As great as The Passion was and Narnia is, have they resulted in an increase in church attendance? Probably not much, if all.

But, what about a church where Christ is proclaimed and conversion takes place? That's a church that grows, whether they are on TV or not. Now that is easier said than done, believe me. But, it is not you or I that does this work, it is the Holy Spirit. We just need to get out of the way and allow the Spirit to work.

In short, will the Book of Daniel bring thousands of folks to Episcopal churches this Sunday? I doubt it. But, Jesus Christ will. I have a good friend that is a priest at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Collierville, TN. They are church that has grown and been in effective ministry. How? By proclaiming Jesus, and enabling folks through the Spirit to know conversion, salvation, and holiness. That's the purpose of the church. That's it, that's the list.