In reply to the inquiry concerning the growth of a church, the answer is frequently given, " We are holding our own." And, strange to say, oftentimes this is accompanied by an air of satisfaction. But no church should be satisfied without seeing growth. There is no such thing in nature as a standstill. The day a tree stops growing, it begins to decay. The moment the stream ceases to flow, it begins to stagnate. So with the church; it cannot stand still. It was sent forth upon its mission "conquering and to conquer; " and when it has ceased to " conquer," it has been conquered.
In the parable of the talents, recorded in Matthew 25, we read concerning the man who received five talents, that he gained five more. The one receiving two, gained two. Here we find growth. The man receiving one." held his own," for he returned one. To the first two was given the commendation, " Well done." The last one was addressed as " thou wicked and slothful servant."
From these statements, we can understand how the Lord regards a standstill. To the one returning an increase He says, " Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." Of the one " holding his own " He says, " Cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
Dr. G. Campbell Morgan, in his book entitled, " Evangelism," gives us this terse statement: " No church ought to be allowed to exist that has not added to its membership by confession of faith. If a church is existing only by letters of transfer, it is time Ichabod, the glory of the Lord has departed,' was inscribed."— Page 41.
Minneapolis, Minn.
