In contemporary Christian circles, the term “salvation” is often used to denote the moment when an individual commits to following Christ. Preachers and missionaries frequently highlight the number of conversions with phrases like, “We had 50 people saved last weekend.” However, this perspective can obscure a critical truth: salvation is not a singular event but a continuous journey. It is essential for the Church to shift its focus from counting salvations to nurturing the spiritual growth of individuals.

The Parable of the Sower: A Lesson on Growth

Consider the Parable of the Sower from the Gospels. In this parable, seeds fall on four types of soil. Three of these soils allow the seeds to take root, but only one soil allows the seeds to flourish and bear fruit. The other three soils fail to sustain growth due to various obstacles: the temptations of the world, the worries of life, and the lack of depth. This parable underscores that while initial acceptance of the Gospel is important, it is not enough for sustained spiritual growth.

If we were farmers, we would not say, “I grew vegetables,” because we planted seeds. We know it is more than that. Yet, in the realm of faith, we often simplify our understanding by celebrating the act of planting seeds without considering the necessary nurturing and growth that follows.

The Journey Beyond the Initial Salvation

It is crucial to recognize that coming to Christ is merely the beginning of a much longer spiritual journey. Just as a plane ticket symbolizes a journey to a destination, salvation represents the starting point of a transformative process. Many people, however, have a ticket in hand but never board the plane. They may be deterred by the complexities of the journey, such as traffic, other passengers, or the mechanics of the plane.

Some individuals may reach the airport, go through security, and even get to the gate but then fail to complete the journey due to distractions or doubts. Others may follow a misguided pilot, leading them to the wrong destination. Similarly, many believers start their spiritual journey but falter along the way, losing sight of the transformative goal of becoming more Christ-like.

The True Role of Pastors and Missionaries

Pastors and missionaries play a crucial role in guiding individuals on their spiritual journey. They are not merely TSA agents who ensure that people get through a checkpoint. Instead, their role should be to facilitate the entire journey, helping individuals grow in their faith and navigate the challenges they face.

Focusing solely on the number of salvations can lead to a superficial understanding of success. It’s akin to celebrating the number of people who get their boarding passes without considering whether they actually board the plane and reach their destination. True success in ministry involves nurturing spiritual growth and transformation, not just tallying up initial decisions.

Consider the missionary journeys of Paul in Philippi and Corinth. In Philippi, Paul initially faced rejection and was even jailed. Despite these challenges, he shared the Gospel with his jailer, leading to the jailer’s conversion and his own release. This experience brought Paul joy and helped other churches but was relatively short-lived in terms of visible growth.

In contrast, Paul’s time in Corinth was marked by significant challenges and rejection from religious leaders. Nevertheless, he remained in Corinth for 18 months, teaching and nurturing the church. This period of discipleship led to the establishment of a thriving community of believers. The different outcomes in these two cities highlight that quantity (number of conversions) does not always equate to quality (depth of spiritual growth).

The Case of Hillsong Church-New York

The Hillsong Church, particularly its New York branch, provides a cautionary tale. Initially, the church experienced rapid growth with many people attending services, and they would talk about the number of people saved as a unit of measurement of their success. However, scandals involving the pastor led to a significant decline in attendance and faith among the congregation. The rapid fall-off suggests that those counted as “saved” was saved by the charisma of the pastor rather than a deep and genuine relationship with Christ.

This situation underscores the importance of focusing on genuine spiritual growth rather than just “salvation” numbers. Churches that emphasize quantity over quality risk fostering a shallow faith that can easily crumble when faced with challenges or the flaws of human leaders.

Shifting the Focus

It is essential for church leaders to shift their focus from counting salvations to nurturing ongoing spiritual transformation. Instead of celebrating the number of people who make initial decisions for Christ as a finished product, churches should measure success by how many individuals embark on each journey of faith, and measure that so they can see where they are missing each step along the way.

Moreover, when it becomes evident that individuals are merely following a charismatic leader rather than growing in their own faith, it is crucial for church leaders to recognize this and refocus their efforts on true discipleship and possibly allow the pastor to move on to another church.

In conclusion, celebrating each step is important through the transformative process.  Counting salvations as an end when they are in the middle of the journey undercuts believers from a deeper and more enduring relationship with Christ.