Why God Limits Growth in Unconverted Churches

God has indicated that he cannot currently bring many souls into the truth because of the influence of unconverted and backslidden church members who would counteract the message21MR 34.3+1.

Reasons for Limited Growth 🕊️

The presence of members who have never been truly converted, or those who have lost their first love and backslidden, creates a barrier to the work of the Holy Spirit6T 370.3+1. These unconsecrated members possess a self-sufficient or worldly spirit that would negatively impact new converts, making the God-given message of none effect21MR 34.3+1. Because older church members often leaven new believers with their disregard for light, such as health reform, the Lord delays bringing in a multitude to prevent them from being brought into trial and bondage by poor examplesEW 97.1+1.

The Influence of the Church ⛪

• A Lack of Spirituality: When the church is weak, inefficient, and following its own impulses rather than the will of God, it loses its power to win soulsRH January 21, 1902, par. 4+1.

• Worldly Conformity: Many are so conformed to the world that their peculiar character is not discerned, which grieves the angels and prevents God from doing great things for them2T 125.1+1.

• Neglect of Duty: Ministers and members alike have often neglected personal labor and house-to-house work, leaving the church as a weak, dependent body unable to sustain new growthPH002 18.1+1.

God’s Desire for Purification ✨

The Lord desires to purge his people so that the tried and true can be lifted up and become a light to the world1888 387.2+1. He requires a thorough work of repentance and a return to the principles of His law to restore the strength necessary to finish the workPH155 4.1+1. By pressing together in love and putting away faultfinding, the church will finally see the mighty power of God and many souls will then be brought to the truth18MR 150.2+1.

...tory is that the influence of these older church members will leaven those newly come to the faith. The Lord could not now bring many souls into the truth because of the church members that have never been converted and those who were once converted but who have backslidden. What good would these unconsecrated mem...— 21MR 34.3 (1993)

...eneracy. And the influence of these older church members will leaven those newly come to the faith. The Lord does not now work to bring many souls into the truth, because of the church members who have never been converted and those who were once converted but who have backslidden. What influence would these unconsecrate...— 6T 370.3 (1900)

...eneracy. And the influence of these older church members will leaven those newly come to the faith. The Lord does not now work to bring many souls into the truth, because of the church members who have never been converted, and those who were once converted, but who have backslidden. What influence would these unconsecra...— CD 455.2 (1938)