I Want the Church to Grow, But . . .

August 18, 2025 Jerrie Barber

Communication, Conflict, Criticism, Rules

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In October 1987, Ross Jordan had just moved to Dalton, Georgia, to work with the Central church. On the first Monday, he asked to talk to Cordell Holloway and me. He had many questions as he was new to the congregation and wanted to get integrated well.

One of the questions he asked was, “Do you want the church to grow?”

Cordell answered in the affirmative. He played a crucial role in the growth of our Bible school, serving as an effective leader, training and encouraging our teachers, preaching, and taking on other responsibilities.

Ross asked me, “Jerrie, how would you answer that?”

I said, “I want to church to grow, but I don’t want any more people.” I want people to be saved. I don’t want anybody to be lost. But if we get more people, I’ll have to work harder. And I’m already working harder than I want to now.

I want people to be baptized and saved. But I hope they will worship in Calhoun, Ringgold, or Chattanooga. I realize that’s a bad attitude, and I promise I’ll work on it.”

There is a difference between what I know I “should” do and what I want to do.

I want the church to grow because it was in God’s plan.

Now it shall come to pass in the latter days
That the mountain of the Lord’s house
Shall be established on the top of the mountains,
And shall be exalted above the hills;
And all nations shall flow to it. — Isaiah 2:2

For the earth will be filled
With the knowledge of the glory of the Lord,
As the waters cover the sea. — Habakkuk 2:14

I want the church to grow, but I may not want people that I fear. That’s not a new problem for the church.

And when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciple (Acts 9:26).

I understand why the Jerusalem disciples were afraid of Saul. This included the apostles: “They were all afraid of him.”

He had hurt and helped kill other Christians. Ananias didn’t want to visit him. But the Lord told Ananias to go see Saul, and he replied, “I don’t want his visitation card. Could you please give it to someone else?”

Ananias wanted the church to grow, but he didn’t like certain people. Think of the loss if Saul hadn’t been converted. I’m glad Ananias let the Lord decide who needed to be in the church instead of Him making that decision.

Whom would I want to keep out because of fear?

A known drug or alcohol addict?
Another staff member?
Someone being considered as a qualified elder, but might disagree with the way we’ve always done things?
Jeffrey Dahmer?

Jeffrey Dahmer was serving fifteen life sentences for murder in Wisconsin and one from Ohio. He had dismembered them, kept parts of their bodies for trophies, and ate some of his victims.

Curtis Booth of Crescent, Oklahoma, and Mary Mott of Arlington, Virginia, sent Bible correspondence courses to Jeffrey. After studying, he requested baptism.

Roy Ratcliff was contacted to visit Jeffrey. He initially attempted to avoid meeting Jeffrey Dahmer, but later became his friend, showing him the light of God’s love, and baptized him. He wrote the book, Dark Journey, Deep Grace.

When I was preparing these thoughts, I called Roy Ratcliffe and discussed his experience with Jeffery.

When I asked how people had responded to his interaction with Jeffrey, he replied that many people had commended him to his face. But, some, behind his back, said, “If Jeffrey Dahmer goes to heaven, then I don’t want to go.”

Others asked the question, “Do you think he was really sincere?”

That may sound very un-Christian. However, if Jeffrey had not been killed, had been later pardoned, decided to move to our town, rented an apartment that would be available in two weeks, would you or I want him to use our spare bedroom while he was waiting to move in?

Would that answer change if I had two teenage boys sleeping in the bedroom across the hall?

In practice, we would set boundaries due to some people’s backgrounds.

But one of the problems that many churches have is that they don’t have enough problems. If we are evangelistic and invite everyone that Jesus asked, people will come with habits and backgrounds that may not change immediately, and they will present challenges in the congregation. Read 1 Corinthians.

But what if God really could and would save Saul of Tarsus and Jeffrey Dahmer?

Paul, in 1 Timothy 1:12-17, almost seems breathless as he describes his gratitude for what God gave him.

I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

The question isn’t what do I want, but what does God want?

Jesus wants all who are burdened with sin.

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. — Matthew 11:28-30

And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely. — Revelation 22:17

I want the church to grow, but do I want any more people?

How many?
What kind?
Do I want more people in the church if God will check with me before He lets them in?

Interim Ministry and Other Ministry Workshop

Next workshop at Heritage led by Jerrie Barber: Interim Ministry and Other Ministry Workshop

Location: Heritage Christian University (Housing available in campus dorms upon request)
Lunch is provided daily by Heritage Christian University
Included: Books, materials, mentoring atmosphere

Limited spaces available. Spouses are invited and encouraged to participate. Reserve your place today: Interim Ministry and Other Ministry Workshop