[connectthedots]

It's ironic how so easily libertines equate "growth" or "success" with being from God.

I am not libertine. As for your attitude about growth in numbers of believers, I would suggest that the false pride that comes with an attitude of exclusivity based on small numbers and little or few additions to the family of God is not at all pleasing to God.

While numerical growth is not the only factor in determining how well a church is making disciples of men, no or little growth is conclusively not fulfilling that mandate. This false sense of pride is more of an excuse for an ineffective ministry than anything else.

[xzins]

1"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes[1] so that it will be even more fruitful. 3You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
John 15: 5"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

[Vernon]

I am not libertine. As for your attitude about growth in numbers of believers, I would suggest that the false pride that comes with an attitude of exclusivity based on small numbers and little or few additions to the family of God is not at all pleasing to God.

While numerical growth is not the only factor in determining how well a church is making disciples of men, no or little growth is conclusively not fulfilling that mandate. This false sense of pride is more of an excuse for an ineffective ministry than anything else.

Preach it!

[Ephesians210]

RE: I am not libertine.

If not then you are a slave.

As for your attitude about growth in numbers of believers, I would suggest that the false pride that comes with an attitude of exclusivity based on small numbers and little or few additions to the family of God is not at all pleasing to God.

Amazing how you can read into the fact of Scriptural teaching that there are very few who make it into God's Kingdom as being motivated by "false pride", as you call it. The "attitude" wasn't mine, it was a simple statement that belonged to Jesus. I suggest you take it up with Him.