In the world of money, growth is of supreme importance, with stock prices and economic ratings hinging on revenue and asset increases. Countries are judged by their yearly or quarterly economic growth, where a lowered forecast is bad news and an increased forecast is good news. Similarly, within Christianity, success is often measured by numeric growth in income, membership, and new converts, though these are unreliable indicators. Megachurches, defined as attracting at least 2,000 weekly worshippers, exemplify this trend, with some boasting attendances of 30,000 and incomes of $55 million, quadrupling since 1999. However, God's focus is not on unrestrained numeric growth of His church. The Father restricts the number of those who can come to the Son, and numeric growth in membership is not a true measure of success. Church size and income fall under God's sovereignty, as He knows the number of the Bride of His Son and how and when that number will be filled. What He prioritizes is individual growth into His character image, rather than numeric expansion.

The Parable of the Mustard Seed reveals the church's growth from humble, small beginnings, likened to a tiny mustard seed, symbolizing the smallest measure. This seed represents the church as an instrument for spiritual growth, expanding in preparation for the Kingdom of God. Jesus Christ, the Son of Man, sows this seed in the world, and though the church starts as a little flock, it is designed by God to remain small and not become a physically powerful organization. Despite its modest design, the parable warns of abnormal growth, as the mustard plant, naturally an herb with thin stems, grows into a large tree, far beyond its intended size. This unnatural expansion signifies a perversion of the church's purpose, transforming it into something God never intended. As it grew into a large tree, it became a counterfeit of the true church, deviating from its original form and doctrines. When this mutation occurred, God replanted His true church elsewhere in the field, restarting the process to maintain its characteristic as a small herb, spiritually nourishing the few chosen for the Kingdom of God.

An increasing number of preachers are using American business strategies to build their congregation's membership, focusing on numeric growth. A young preacher even copied Starbucks' business procedures, giving away coupons valued at $10 for a free Starbucks coffee to attract attendees to services. These promotions lack any reference to God's sovereignty over the church or to biblical guidance on how God produces church membership. The format of their services, reminiscent of the purpose-driven church movement, emphasizes bands, singing, and slide shows, resembling a pep rally more than a spiritual gathering. Due to the American people's limited knowledge of biblical content, these business entrepreneurs in religion succeed, as attendees go along with what is happening and often enjoy it. Through their participation, people dictate the terms of their supposed relationship with God, reversing sovereignty and forcing themselves as though they were in control. This approach does not bode well for a true relationship with Him, as it mirrors Israel's refusal to enter the promised land on God's terms, leading to defeat when they acted on their own.

A strange distortion of truth has spread through churches worldwide, calling God's people to embrace change from the world's perspective and fuel transformation. This Church Growth Movement uses familiar words to persuade, conforming God's Word and human thinking to politically correct views of unity, community, service, and change. Worldwide Christian networks provide trained leadership and management consultants to guide God's people along a superhighway to a new world order, hoping to popularize Christianity so effectively that whole nations join their crusade. They aim to re-cloak the church in a permissive, appealing image, marketed as a safe place, purged of moral standards that stir conviction of sin. Doug Murren, a former pastor, explains the process of managed change, drawing from social psychologist Arnold Mitchell of Stanford University, who identifies three ingredients for change: dissatisfaction, emotional and physical energy, and a well-conceived strategy. Effective change agents assess and deliberately develop dissatisfaction within a group to create potential for change. Positive change focuses on creating a better future rather than returning to the past. The process involves assessing attitudes and values, stirring dissatisfaction with old ways, and offering an inspiring vision of a here-and-now future that man can create, driving transformation through collective efforts.