Tuesday, September 29, 2009

newpointe named one of america’s top 100 fastest growing churches

image

For the second straight year, NewPointe Community Church was named one of America’s 100 fastest growing churches by Outreach Magazine.

Last year NewPointe ranked #89. This year, #67.

Just so we’re all clear on this one, this is not a “look what we did” thing. This is a “look what God can do thing.”

The truth is, none of us at NewPointe really know what we’re doing. That’s not to say we don’t have smart, capable people on staff. It’s just to say that we give God the credit.

We readily admit that the growth NewPointe has experienced is more like in spite of us rather than because of us.

In fact, Dwight was quoted in the magazine:

“We’re experiencing something that can only be explained by God…I believe the favor of God is key. It wasn’t wisdom or a formed strategy. I attribute it to the favor of God. That’s why it’s so humbling. I don’t have a story for you that says, ‘We’re just pushing the right buttons.’ Believe me, there have been enough buttons that weren’t pushed right to know that this is bigger than who we are or who I am.”

Sometimes people can get a bit out-of-sorts when it comes to ranking churches. “After all,” they argue, “it’s not a competition.” True. We are not competing against other churches. We view the top 100 list as merely a tool, a resource for us to be able to look at the churches who are doing a great job of reaching people and learn from them.

In fact, we’ve already visited two of the churches on the list (Southland Christian, and Crossroads Community) in order to glean insights and strategies.

We don’t believe that bigger equals better. We just want to reach people for Christ. There’s no other motive. We never set out trying to make a list. We are simply compelled by the Holy Spirit to share the good news of Jesus Christ in a creative and compelling way.

Sometimes people say, “You’re church is too big." To which I respond, “Our church isn’t too big—Hell’s too big.”

And that’s why we want to keep growing.

0 comments: