In an assembly of preachers, a man who preaches for a large congregation was asked to share what the large church was doing to promote such growth. Each preacher got his pen ready to take notes of each fantastic program and idea that made the large congregation tick.

However, a very unexpected answer was to be given. The speaker said, “We have no organized programs, no promotions, no drives, no advertising programs, and no buses.”

In stunned amazement someone suggested that the preacher must surely do a lot of personal evangelism. Again, they were surprised when the preacher said that he did not do an excessive amount of visiting. He indicated that most of his time was spent in studying for his classes and sermons. Of the last 50 people who had been baptized, the preacher had only worked personally with two of them.

The secret of their success was very simple and in keeping with biblical examples. They believed in the priesthood of all believers and this leaves them free to develop their own work and ministry. They work on the principle that each one has a gift from God and that he ought to develop a work around that gift involving those of like interest. Of course, considerable encouragement is given for each member to develop his talents and use them in the work of the Lord.

Indeed, this large congregation did have a lot of work going on, but it was developed in a spontaneous way by the members themselves. Most of the growth has come through Bible studies when the church members invite a few members and several non-members into their home to study the Word of God. They selected a book of the Bible or a topic and then studied through it. Many such groups are in progress.

This concept gets back behind a strong tradition of how “church work” is to be done. It gets back to biblical model and, most important, it works practically.

No one has to wait around for someone to start a project and put a deacon, or elder, or preacher in charge. Each member allows the Lord to use his/her talent and the congregation grows for God gives the increase. I believe this system has great merit and should demand our immediate attention. If not, why not?