The Sulphur Well Church is located in a rural community, ten miles east of Paris, in Northwest Tennessee's Henry County. Attendance averaged near 100 and the contribution was $265 per week in 1977. The 1997 figures are 220 and $4,300. Churches must be interested in numbers because they reflect people's hearts. A good friend, however, asked an interesting question recently that placed several matters in a better perspective. He asked, "What are the top lessons you have learned in twenty years?" This article is an attempt to answer his question.

First, go long-term. God has made a commitment to be faithful to His children over the long haul. He promised never to leave nor forsake us. He sees the big picture. Preachers need to look long-term as they blend their lives into the very fabric of those with whom they serve. Church leaders need to see beyond the temporary crisis, this year's budget, or the latest complaint they have received. Farmers cultivate, plant, fertilize, pray, and wait for harvest which comes much later. Marriages that experience the greatest intimacy and deepest joys of this life have husbands and wives committed to each other "for better or worse . . . until death." Short-term is easy. Long-term is difficult. But long-term commitment is still God's way of doing business.

Second, God looks at what we can become, not what we actually are. When Jesus chose the apostles, He saw what they could become in spite of their all-too-human shortcomings. When He met the woman at the well, He looked beyond her faults, saw her needs, and enabled her to share the good news of God with others. When God needed a preacher to share the gospel with Gentiles, He saw beyond a murderous past to what Paul could become as a missionary. God's people, likewise, must look beneath the surface and see what lost people can become. It is tempting to see only the flaws, the scars, the dirt, the reputation, or the shortcomings of people. Churches grow, however, when every person is viewed as someone in need of God's redeeming love. If God can forgive my sin, He can forgive theirs too. One need not compromise convictions or violate scripture in order to love sinners. God hates sin but loves sinners. God's children do likewise.

Third, keep it in the text. I am more committed than ever to the principle, "Speak where the Bible speaks and be silent where the Bible is silent." Jesus, during His earthly ministry, both practiced and preached His Father's will (John 7:16). Expository sermons will always be appropriate. The curriculum for most Bible classes in fifth grade and above should be the Bible itself. After 24 years as a formally enrolled student, the greatest lesson I ever learned is, "Read the book, the whole book, and nothing but the book -- so help me God." While various books, periodicals, and religious publications line shelves and fill hard drives, there is no substitute for letting the text do the talking. Sermons are abundant. Planning is simplified. God is praised. Seekers are blessed. These result from keeping folks in the text.

Fourth, people still want to see Jesus (John 12:21). Jesus is an awesome, powerful, attractive person to those who get to know Him. Our task is to show the world who Jesus is. When we do, people are drawn to Him. Unbelievers are not nearly as impressed with buildings, staff, traditions, or trinkets as they are with Jesus, exalted on the Cross, risen from the grave, available to be their Savior. Churches grow when Jesus is intentionally lifted up for others to see. Seekers need to see the man and the plan-in that order.

Fifth, pray continually. A member at Sulphur Well recently spent all day Wednesday agonizing, studying, and praying that her Bible class that evening would be especially helpful. She prayed that she could get herself out of the way during the class so that others could see God. She reported later that she had never been part of a class quite like that one -- that God's unmistakable presence had been particularly effective and helpful. Any significant ministry in our world will happen, I believe, only as a direct result of prayer. As we concentrate on praying for and building up those who are already members, church growth will take care of itself. Excited Christians cannot help but share their good news with others.

Sixth, be responsible like Jesus. God decided long ago that He would be responsible to men and women but not for them. Jesus chose to be responsible to the entire world by providing salvation for those who trust and obey. But the choice is yours and mine. Jesus is responsible to me; He is not responsible for me. I am responsible for choosing what I do. The same is true for evangelistic efforts today. We are responsible to others; we are not responsible for their decisions. A believing husband or wife is responsible to the spouse in terms of living and teaching the lifestyle of Jesus. The believer is not responsible for the unbeliever's choices. Parents are responsible to their children -- clothe, feed, educate, nurture -- but parents are not responsible for the decisions of grown, adult children. God causes church growth when Christians decide to be responsible to others but not for them. Teach them lovingly. Then let them decide. God will give the increase.

Seventh, Christians need to be challenged. My experience has been that believers want to be generous, be appreciated, and be challenged to stretch their faith. In 1990 with a $500,000 building plan to triple our capacity, Sulphur Well members gave $55,000 on one Sunday and had more than $100,000 on hand when construction began. Our elders borrowed $360,000 from our members, made a commitment to repay all notes including interest within five years, and achieved this goal ahead of schedule. This six-year project was completed within an atmosphere of love, joy, and peace. Furthermore, mission spending has increased from $2,000 to $50,000 annually since 1977. Fifteen members are planning to participate in a medical mission in Central America in 1997 and are spending $5,000 of their own money to do so. The Sulphur Well Church has far to go in becoming all God wants us to be, but I love and appreciate our folks because of their generosity, encouragement, and prayerful support of every good work. Let brethren know you appreciate them. Present them with a God-centered challenge. They want to be generous people of faith.

Eighth, spiritual maturity includes delayed gratification. The two most important words for our generation, according to one nationally known speaker, are "delayed gratification." "Instant gratification" is unrealistic for athletes, students, ministers, spouses, and business leaders. Years of disciplined training, study, teaching, listening, and investing are required in order to reach maturity. Bill approached his friend, Tom, a respected minister, and said, "Tom, I'd give half my life to be like you." Tom replied, "That's precisely what it cost me." Spiritual growth, which precedes numerical growth, comes when we "fix our eyes on Jesus" (Heb. 12:2), accept God's discipline, endure the struggle, and enjoy the benefits of a secure faith (Heb. 11-12). Lack of commitment to delayed gratification produces unwanted pregnancy, deficit spending, bankruptcy, divorce, student dropouts, bench-sitting athletes, and frustrated Christians.

Ninth, encourage openness and receptivity to new ideas. Ann became very angry at those who "failed to teach her about God's grace" during her younger years. Jane, a lady in her 50s asked, "Why was I never taught about the Holy Spirit from Romans 8?" Ann and Jane learned that there were unhealthy "gaps" in their understanding of basic Bible concepts. Ann, after much struggle, learned that nothing is gained from "backhanding those who failed me" in my younger years. Jane figured out finally that she only hurt herself by fussing with those who "failed" her earlier in life. Both ladies have studied, been receptive to healthy biblical teaching, and are more excited Christians today than ever before. Be willing to learn. Appreciate those in your past without being shackled to your past. Never stop learning. Be open-minded without being empty-headed.

Tenth, balance builds churches. Ira North's book, Balance, is almost fifteen years old, but the point of his book still works. Balance is crucial because it originated with God (Rom. 11:22). Many opportunities in life come our way brilliantly disguised as problems. A 40-year-old executive contracted multiple sclerosis -- which led to self-examination and later to his becoming a Christian. A congregation saw its building go up in smoke -- which led to unprecedented enthusiasm and growth. The minister reluctantly turned down the "once-in-a-lifetime" offer with its lucrative perks -- only to thank God daily (within a few years) for keeping him at his present work. Dad turned down the huge promotion in order to be able to read bedtime stories to his small daughter. The word is balance. Some things in life are neither as good nor as bad as they at first appear. Balance the "urgent" in your life with the "important." Church leaders must balance the requests they make of members with the appreciation they give to them. Do not allow one person, one program, or one critic to dominate a congregation. God's Son grew during childhood in a balanced manner -- mentally, physically, spiritually, and socially (Luke 2:52). God's children today need to be committed to the same type of growth.

These ten lessons are rooted firmly in God. They come from experience. While church growth is God's specialty, He wants to use you and me to help bring it about. My prayer is that these thoughts might be helpful toward that goal.