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Growth
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeThe Western emphasis on growth has taken root within Christianity. 'Success' for a church is measured in income and membership, which are deceptive metrics.
Anniversary Message 2026
Commentary by Richard T. RitenbaughThe church has never pursued numerical growth as a goal, nor has it sought to expand its membership through public broadcasts or other means of attracting large audiences. From its founding the guiding principle has been to feed the flock by studying, teaching, and living the truth in depth rather than to compete for converts or to build an organization large enough to broadcast widely. This approach deliberately inverts earlier patterns that placed primary emphasis on preaching the gospel to the world while giving secondary attention to the spiritual preparation of members. Instead the conviction has remained that a small, highly committed group must first be established in the truth before any broader proclamation can be considered. God has confirmed this direction by maintaining a stable core of about four hundred members who are firmly convicted and supportive, providing exactly the resources needed for the work of feeding and preparing without requiring further expansion. The preference is for a limited number who truly understand and practice the truth over the dissemination of basic teachings to thousands, in keeping with the reality that God calls a little flock and desires that flock to be made ready for the Kingdom of God. The church therefore continues on this path without regard for size, following only the direction God provides and refusing to alter its focus unless He makes a change unmistakably clear.
The Impossible Metric
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeMembers, coworkers, and subscribers can all be tallied, yet who but God can track the increase of faith or the building of a church member's character?
A View of the Work
Sermonette byJudging the quality of our work by numeric standards is not a measure of spiritual growth, and to equate it with spiritual growth in rank Laodiceanism.
First Things First (Part Four): Faithfully Witnessing
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeGod's measure of success for Noah was not how many sinners he saved from the Flood. If numeric results were God's measure of success, Noah would be a failure.
Polling Problems
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughThe problem with polls is that they are fundamentally worthless. The media uses them, not to provide a snapshot of Americans' opinions, but to influence.
Like a Growing Seed (Part Two)
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughLike its physical counterpart, spiritual growth happens slowly. A newly baptized Christian will not produce the fruit of the spirit as easily as a mature one.
Avoiding Superficiality
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughSuccess in spiritual things does not consist in growing large and powerful, but humbly living by faith, overcoming, and yielding to God's shaping power.
Walk By Faith Not Fleece
Sermonette by Bill OnisickGod mightily used Gideon, initially a timid man who required multiple signs from God, when he began walking more by faith than sight.
God Expects a Return on His Investment (Part Two)
Sermon by David F. MaasGod's promises to give us the desires of our hearts, His Holy Spirit, wisdom, and spiritual gifts to edify the Body all come with strings attached.
Making Faithful Choices (Part Two)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsGod demonstrated to Gideon, through His systematically whittling his army from 30,000 to 300, that His providence, and not Gideon's might, would bring victory.
Where Is God Working?
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeAre numeric growth or miraculous signs sure indicators of God's presence? Before trying to determine where God is working, we must understand what God is doing.
Building the Wall (Part Two)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughBuilding a wall requires standing, holding firm, showing alertness and a readiness for action, even if it requires self-denial and unpleasant dirty work.
Self-Government: Overcoming
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWe dare not allow anybody to come between God's direct governance and ourselves. Even God's government will not work unless we voluntarily govern ourselves.
No One Else Matters (Part One)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughAll God's shepherds are mortal men, guilty of sin, including Moses. Despite that, God backed them up because they faithfully followed His leadership.
Be There Next Year
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughMembers of God's church usually come home from the Feast of Tabernacles with renewed strength. Yet, some fall away each year. Here's how to stay the course.
The Post-Resurrection Last Words of Christ (Part Two)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsIt is presumptuous to cast aspersions on Thomas, using the cliché 'Doubting Thomas,' as he was braver than most of us would have been in his circumstances.
Psalms: Book One (Part Two)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughBecause Jesus is God's Son, we can avoid the rod of His anger by paying respect with worshipful awe. We must know both His instruction and Him personally.
Small, But Significant
'Ready Answer' by StaffSometimes small things make big impacts, such as Simon of Cyrene's carrying of Christ's cross. Do we consider our 'smallness' to be a blessing or a curse?