For lack of a better term, event driven ministries focus on bringing people into the local church ostensibly to attract them to the gospel through a spectacular event. Depending on the people and the pastor, the event may be something as traditional as holding special revival meetings or presenting individuals who have unusual skills in order to attract large crowds. Having been raised under this style of church growth, I am aware of how momentarily effective it can be—but with diminishing spiritual returns. I remember a young man was once placed in a crow’s nest on top of a flagpole in front of the church. Phone lines were run to his stop atop the flagpole so that he could talk to the media. A sign was placed underneath which read, "Will Not Come Down Until We Get 1,000 in Sunday school." Since the church was on a major highway leading into New Orleans there was plenty of attention paid to the stunt. The young man remained perched at his station for three weeks!

Having formerly served as a local pastor for thirty-two years I appreciate the desire for church growth. I also understand the pressure on pastors to "produce results." In a business driven mindset age of the church the "organization" must produce.

But what happens when all the planning, all the scheming, all the efforts and all the money spent produce little or no return for the labor expended? Predictably, discouragement sets in. Expectations are shattered. Hopes and dreams die. And, unless a more biblical strategy for church growth is thought through, pastors and board members will simply try harder. Usually what this means is that the schemes to attract the crowds will become more bizarre. Soon people will be swaying back and forth to mindless repetitive music, barking like dogs and getting slain in the spirit with immodest results for the ladies and embarrassment for anyone with a desire for a sense of dignified decorum in worship.

Pastors must remember that what they use to attract people with they must use to keep them. Attract people with entertainment that borders on a circus act and similar entertainment will be required to keep the same crowds.

There is a better way to build a church. It is the gospel way, and it is by turning the attention upon Christ.

"Sir, we would see Jesus. We have seen the weight lifters, the iron men at the circus. We have seen the hula dancers at the floor shows. We have seen the comedians at the theater. We have read the modern prophecy experts, (who are one hundred percent wrong one hundred percent of the time by the way) and we are tired of trying to fit today’s newspapers into the Scriptures. Sir, we would see Jesus."

Pastors, when people see Jesus, they will come. They will come to him in all of his glory and loveliness. If your objective is to grow a church by any means and methods you will miss your calling which is to study and teach and tell others of Christ. Burn this thought into your heart and it will change your strategy. "Sir, we would see Jesus."