'Growing Small'

way that lasted and bore fruit. Whitefield, a close friend and associate of John Welsey, mourned these results. Whitefield wrote:

“My brother Wesley acted wisely,” Whitefield said. “The souls that were awakened under his ministry he joined in societies, and thus preserved the fruit of his labor. This I neglected, and my people are a rope of sand.”

The Methodist movement continues to grow with over 50 million followers of Jesus in the Wesleyan movement. 

People can get lost in a crowd, but they don’t get lost in a home! John Wesley knew this, and modeled his ministry on Acts 2, the Day of Pentecost. The Holy Spirit was poured out and more than 3,000 people gave their lives to the Lord. Such an incredible increase in one day is amazing. But what happened the next day? Where did they go and what did they do?

“They continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God.” (Acts 2:46)

The church of Jesus was designed to grow big AND to grow small. We need to all meet in worship, but we also need to meet in small groups to grow deeper. People may come and go from worship, but they stick in a small group. No one is lost, no one slips through the cracks, no one is alone when they become part of a family in someone’s home. The way to grow big is to grow small.  

Munholland is starting Grow Groups beginning Sept. 8, 2024. There are five groups you could be a part of – 4 on Wednesdays and 1 on Thursdays. You will get more details about those meetings and their leaders over the next couple of weeks. Sign up will be at our chili cookoff on Sunday, Aug. 25 at noon in the Fellowship Hall. I especially invite you, if you come to worship but haven’t found your place in a smaller group at church. You will find deep friendships with people who love you, pray for you, open scripture together, and praise God together. 

The church has to grow small to grow big. Individuals have to go small to go deep.

Blessings,

Jonathan