When I was 12, my family moved to Austell, Georgia. Shortly after our move, Wallace’s barbecue restaurant opened in Austell. It quickly became a community staple, serving delicious pit-cooked barbecue, Brunswick stew, ribs, and other Southern delights. Because of its popularity, the restaurant moved in 1988 to a larger building near the original location.
The restaurant is still thriving today. It’s amazing how some restaurants thrive while others go out of business.
Churches and restaurants share some similarities.
A thriving church and a thriving restaurant both know who they are, serve people well, maintain quality and consistency, are led effectively, and build a strong culture. But a thriving church goes deeper.
It measures success not just by attendance, but by changed lives. God’s Word tells us, “…go and make disciples of all nations… teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you…” (Matthew 28:19-20).
Jesus poured His life into discipling twelve men, and the Scriptures challenge us to do the same: “go,” “make,” and “teach.” Are we seeking to fill seats, or are we making disciples?
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