Growing Pains: God’s Grace Over Nine Years at Grace Fellowship

I frequently get asked questions about the history of Grace Fellowship: How long I have been here? What it was like when Sherri and I got here? How has the church changed since we arrived? How many original members are still here? 

When I was called here to revitalize nine years ago, the church was vastly different than it is now. The address and the physical structure are still the same. And of course, there have been new coats of paint, improvements to facilities, and attempts to increase capacity. But the people, the energy, the worship, the fellowship, and the preaching and teaching have all grown beyond anything I could have imagined. From less than 20 elderly attenders to 150 covenanted members currently, it is so humbling to reflect on. I praise the Lord for His glorious grace in this every time it enters my mind.

Revitalization Brings Change

In the process of revitalization, there are many changes that take place. Change is part of being human—only God is immutable. Real change doesn’t happen overnight, and it is rarely easy or predictable. For some, change is exciting, but for most of us, change can bring uncertainty, disappointment, and even a feeling of loss, or nostalgia.

And in a transitory place like Central Florida, people move in and out often and there are multiple churches in every neighborhood. Add into that the number of RBC students who call Grace Fellowship home during their time in school, and we can count on a fair number of people coming and going, which happens because of changes in their lives or in the church. 

And yet, the church is such an incredible organism; people from various backgrounds and walks of life with many different preferences who are all one in Christ Jesus (Gal. 3:27-28). This is incredibly beautiful, even as it provides many unique challenges as things change over time.

Theological Foundations 

In the past nine years there been many changes, starting with the theological changes. When I arrived here, there was barely a statement of faith and biblical literacy was a rarity. We had to work on building a biblical foundation, so that we could become evangelical and, eventually, confessionally reformed. Most of the existing members had never heard expository preaching, seen a plurality of elders, or could tell you what the Doctrines of Grace were. This was a slow, intentional process to officially adopt the Second London Baptist Confession four years in. And by the time we got there, most of the original members had left or had passed away. As time went on, our theology, philosophy, and ecclesiology became more defined, and this has drawn people who are predominately looking for Reformed theology, Baptist distinctives, and at a minimum, expository preaching.

In our case, as the theology and gifts of the body deepen, so did the depth of liturgy and fellowship. As the world runs toward post-Christian, secular sensibilities driven by a consumeristic desire to be served and entertained, we hold more firmly to historic Christianity found in the ordinary means of grace and desire to serve others even more. We do this by remaining committed to expository and Christ-centered preaching, worshipping God through theologically rich and congregationally mindful songs, and moving to weekly communion, which all serve to stir our minds, hearts, and wills toward the beauty of the gospel. 

More People Coming and Going

In the last nine years it seems like there have been at least four or five different, distinct churches. What do I mean by that? By the numbers, a church of 20 feels very different than a church of 60, 100, 150, or 250. 

While there are many types of changes, the most exciting is the addition of people—and the most difficult is the loss of people. Both will happen when you love the body of Christ, when you grow, serve, and pray with, confide in and depend on fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. As we have discussed in our Acts study, the fellowship among believers is unparalleled, because it is driven and governed by the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 2:12-13). We speak the same language and have the same love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control given to us (Gal. 5:22-26). You are doing it right when you are excited when they come and sad when they leave. 

Living in a fallen world means people depart for various reasons, some we understand, some we don’t, but we have hope of an eternal reunion and communion with them again. The life of the apostle Paul illustrates this, from leaving Barnabas in disagreement in Acts 15, to leaving the Ephesian elders in much weeping in Acts 20. I have made many life-long friends over the years at Grace Fellowship, and I have tried to leave nothing on the table in those relationships. While I have made many mistakes, I have never regretted the time, love, and investment I’ve made in people for the sake of the Kingdom of God, and you won’t either!

Growing Pains

The increase in people comes with many growing pains. We are a far cry from 10 people in a Bible study in the back of the sanctuary due to a day care in our fellowship hall. The men’s study has outgrown our Florida room, and baptisms fill the playground! If you would have told me 9 years ago that we would need a parking team, or we would be setting up chairs for 50 in an overflow room for service, I would have told you, “That’s crazy!” I never could have predicted two full-time pastors and an almost-full-time ministry assistant. These things continue to amaze me!

With all the joys of more people attending, learning, growing, and serving, the elders and deacons are asking many micro and macro questions: Where do we seat everyone? How can we make sure everyone can see and hear? What about families? What about singles? What do we do to benefit the most members? How do we prioritize members and welcome visitors? How many events and studies do we need? How many are too many?

And as members, we have all felt the crunch at times and have been overwhelmed on particularly busy Sundays. We have all asked: how do I meet new people and see the ones I know and love? How do I notice if someone is absent? How do I walk into a crowded room and not feel anxious? Those who love the small intimate gathering of 50 may be anxious and struggle when it reaches 150 and beyond. I have had these conversations. [Tim Keller produced a great study and treatment on this phenomenon, and if you are interested in this it is worth the read, Leadership and Church Size Dynamics.]

But when all is said and done, we surrender ourselves to the sovereignty of God, who gives and takes away in His good timing and for His good pleasure, blessed be the name of the Lord (Job. 1:21)! I have taken great comfort in this over the years. We are all here voluntarily. Everyone who is here at Grace Fellowship the Lord has drawn and could draw away at any time. While it is comforting to know that God is in control and Christ will build His church, we can all recognize that he may push us out of our comfort zone, disturbing our status quo and the little kingdoms we may create for ourselves without realizing it. 

So, if you are trying to make sense of the changes Grace Fellowship has experienced, know that you are not alone! Others feel it too and deal with it in their own ways. And we as elders are not immune to this either. We are trying to do our best to make the necessary adjustments, without making too many adjustments. 

If any of this resonates with you, please grab one of us and we would love to talk with you and share our experiences as well. Please continue to pray for us and the deacons as we try to address these growing pains in the slower summer months before the business of the fall. And if you have questions or suggestions, we would love to hear them… although be careful, we will probably put you to work! 

The Bible speaks of the church as a family; Grace Fellowship is our church family, filled with brothers and sisters in Christ, and our family has grown. And in God’s providence, He seems intent to continue to grow it. We can resist the growing pains or embrace them as good problems given to us by a gracious heavenly Father. I am looking forward to growing with you for many years to come, and I am excited to see what the Lord has planned for us!

In Christ,

Pastor Tim