In Acts 2, something happened that no church could ever prepare for. Three thousand people came to faith in a single day. Imagine the chaos. Overnight, everything changed. The apostles had to adapt. Long-time believers had to adjust. New believers needed discipleship. The church had to grow up fast.

That is what gospel growth does. When God brings people into His family, everyone already in the family must stretch, change, and adjust. Growth always feels uncomfortable in the moment. But the discomfort is worth it because every number is a person who needs to know and love Jesus.

Since I just finished preaching through Acts, it is impossible to miss how often the early church changed because growth pushed them into new territory. Acts is essentially the Spirit-driven story of a church that keeps expanding — and believers who keep learning to adjust.

Here’s what we see:

• In Acts 6 growth happened so quickly that widows were unintentionally overlooked, forcing the apostles to reorganize leadership and develop new ministry structures.
• In Acts 8 the gospel jumped from Jerusalem into Samaria, requiring Jewish believers to rethink long-held cultural boundaries.
• In Acts 8 verse 26 the Spirit pushed the mission toward Africa through Philip, showing the church that God’s plan was far bigger than they realized.
• In Acts 10 and 11 Gentiles were welcomed into the church which meant major theological and relational adjustments for Jewish Christians.
• In Acts 13 through 16 the mission entered new regions, new cultures, and new cities which demanded fresh strategies, new leaders, and flexible approaches.
• In Acts 15 rapid growth among Gentiles forced the church to clarify what was essential to the gospel and what was merely cultural tradition.

Every moment of growth required change, and every moment of change opened the door for more people to meet Jesus.

As our church grows, we should expect the same thing. Growth always comes with growing pains. Here are some important truths to remember.

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1. We need to hold our personal preferences loosely

In Acts 6 some complained. In Acts 10 and 11 some resisted including Gentiles. In Acts 15 others argued over circumcision. Most resistance came from people clinging to what felt familiar. But the mission always moves us forward. People matter more than preferences. The mission of God must be the priority over our opinions and preferences.

Scripture Acts 15:1-21

“The greatest enemy of a growing church is a comfortable church.”

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2. Church may feel bigger and less personal

In a smaller church, everyone knows everyone. As God adds more people, it becomes harder to maintain the same level of familiarity. Some feel less connected. Newcomers can feel invisible unless we are intentional.

If we have the mind of Christ we will have a strong desire to reach the world with the hope of the gospel. So, when your Life Group gets crowded, thank God. When someone sits in your usual spot on Sunday morning, rejoice. Those things mean God is at work and we should celebrate!

Scripture Acts 2:41-47

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3. Growth brings greater diversity

More people means more stories, more backgrounds, more perspectives. The early church had to learn to love Jews, Samaritans, Africans, Gentiles, and people across Asia Minor and Europe.

Diversity can feel stretching, but it is a beautiful sign that the gospel is reaching the people God loves.

Scripture Acts 8, Acts 10 and 11, Acts 13 through 16

“We grow most when we are outside of our comfort zones. We are more effective when we are on the edge of risk. We hold beliefs more dear and pursue goals more passionately when they are accompanied by a cost.” -Brett McCracken

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4. More people means more ministry — and more need for you

As the church grows, so do prayer needs, discipleship needs, counseling needs, and service opportunities. Growth is not a burden — it is a chance for God’s people to use their gifts. We need you!

How are you serving? Where are you contributing to the mission?

Scripture Acts 6:4

“The church that refuses to change is the church that has already begun to die.” Thom Rainer

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Why We Embrace the Growing Pains

Churches naturally resist change. So if we’re going to endure change, we need to remember the reason behind it. Our motivation is simple: we want more people to know Jesus and grow as disciples.

Andrew Heard (wrote the book “Growth and Change”) puts it well. He says we usually resist change until the pain of not changing becomes greater than the pain of changing. We change when we care more about reaching the lost than protecting our comfort. Read that sentence again. Is that your heart?

Heard also warns that a desire for growth can be unhealthy if driven by ego, but absolutely right when driven by love for people who need Jesus. The early church didn’t chase numbers. They chased souls. And God added to their number daily those who were being saved.

That is why we embrace the stretching, the adjustments, and the discomfort. Because the alternative, thinking primarily about ourselves and resisting God’s mission, is far worse.

We choose change because we choose mission. We choose mission because we choose people. And we choose people because Jesus did.

If we embrace these challenges together, God may do more in our church than anything we have yet seen.

“If you are not willing to change, do not expect your church to reach the people who most need the gospel.” Carey Nieuwhof

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Few verses that reveals God’s heart for the world

(Matthew 28:19–20; Acts 1:8; Acts 2:47; Acts 6:7; Acts 9:31; Acts 13:47; Romans 10:13–15; 2 Corinthians 5:19–20; Colossians 1:6; Revelation 7:9–10)