Is church growth as important as Church growth?

Elise Wilkes considers whether it is best for your local church to stay below 200 people

Have you ever been to a church service and wondered: “What am I here for?” What is the purpose of the church? Churches often talk of growth, but what kind of growth should take priority?

It is crucial to understand our purpose as God’s people (the worldwide Church, with a capital ‘C’) beyond simply filling a seat during the Sunday morning service. Erin Wheeler, author and podcast host on doctrine and discipleship, writes that the “most fundamental purpose of the church is the glorification of the Lord Jesus Christ” achieved through corporate worship, discipleship and evangelism (The Good Portion: The Church, Christian Focus Publications, p46). Nowhere in the Bible does it specify the ideal size of a church congregation, but the Bible is full of guidance for the Church regarding growth in righteousness. In fact, the New Testament is primarily comprised of letters to various churches for their correction and strengthening.