UNDERSTANDING CHURCH GROWTH: From A Movement To A Monument: A Wake-Up Call To The Body Of Christ

Research has revealed a disturbing trend of spiritual decline among many churches in our nation. Quietly but surely, churches that once carried the fresh fire of the Holy Spirit are shifting from being vibrant Holy Ghost movements to lifeless monuments—relics of a past glory now devoid of God’s manifest presence.

This tragic decline is not peculiar to Pentecostal churches alone. Charismatic, Evangelical, Holiness, Orthodox, and even Conservative congregations are all being affected. Churches that were once spiritual powerhouses, birthing revival and advancing the Kingdom, now merely exist in form without power (2 Tim. 3:5).

A pattern is evident: a church rises with the power of God, grows rapidly, enjoys seasons of revival and expansion—and within a few years, the fire fades, spiritual momentum is lost, and it becomes a monument. Another church then rises in its place, and the cycle continues. The burden of this message is to expose this spiritual menace and guide us on how to stop this trend.

1. THE SCRIPTURAL FOUNDATION

We see a clear sequence in the book of Acts:

Acts 1: God moves upon men by His Spirit
Acts 2: He gives them ministry (the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost)
Acts 3: He brings multiplication (miracles and church growth)
Acts 4: He establishes a divine movement (boldness, unity, and community)
Acts 5: Internal problems begin—murmuring, sin, and distractions

A movement, in this context, refers to a divine outpouring—a season where God’s presence is mightily evident. Such a move results in growth, miracles, revival, favor, influence, and impact.

A monument, however, is a church that has lost its spiritual fire. It remains as a structure or organization but without the fresh flow of the Spirit. The passion has waned, the love has grown cold, and the second generation of believers arises—many of whom do not know or understand the great moves of God in the past.

The Ephesian church is a biblical example (Rev. 2:1-5). Though it was once thriving in spiritual fervency (Acts 19:1-20; Acts 20:17-21), it eventually lost its first love. The letters to the seven churches in Asia Minor reveal a common tendency: spiritual drift, loss of zeal, compromise with false doctrines, and the adoption of religious routines without spiritual life.

2. WHY MOVEMENTS TURN INTO MONUMENTS

There are specific, identifiable reasons why churches that once experienced great revival eventually lose the divine touch and become mere shadows of what they used to be:

i. Sin and Scandals Among Leadership

When leaders fall into sin or tolerate it within the leadership structure, it leads to the withdrawal of God’s manifest presence. Holiness is the foundation of revival.

ii. Disobedience to God’s Voice

Ignoring divine instruction or resisting the Holy Spirit’s direction is often the beginning of a church’s decline. God expects obedience, not sacrifice.

iii. Pride and Arrogance

When a church begins to boast in achievements, numbers, or fame, pride creeps in. God resists the proud (James 4:6). Pride leads to a fall, even for thriving ministries.

iv. Selfishness and Denominational Isolation

Churches experiencing revival may begin to act as if they are the only ones God is using. They hoard spiritual insights and isolate themselves, refusing to share with others. This competitive spirit quenches revival fire.

v. Neglect of Spiritual Disciplines

During seasons of spiritual excitement, foundational practices—such as fervent prayer, consistent Bible study, quiet time, and teaching sound doctrine—are often neglected. The result is spiritual shallowness and eventual decline.

vi. Doctrinal Dogmatism

Overemphasis on non-essential doctrines often leads to arguments, disunity, and spiritual coldness. When a church prioritizes theological debates over evangelism and discipleship, spiritual momentum is lost.

vii. Resistance to Change

When church leadership becomes stuck in tradition and refuses to embrace Spirit-led innovation, the ministry becomes outdated and stagnant. Without a vision for the future, people perish (Prov. 29:18).

viii. Weak and Ineffective Leadership

The spiritual level of a church cannot rise above the quality of its leadership. If leaders lack vision, power, character, or spiritual depth, the church will suffer and slide into lifelessness.

3. UNDERSTANDING THE CHARACTER OF GOD

To preserve a divine movement, church leaders must understand not just God’s Word but also His character. Many know the Bible but are not aligned with the nature and personality of God.

Consider these divine attributes:

God is no respecter of persons – He doesn’t favor one over another based on title or history (Acts 10:34).
He openly exposes the sins of His servants – No one is too anointed to be disciplined (David, Moses, etc.).
He reveals some things but conceals others – We must walk in humility and dependence (Deut. 29:29).
He will use anyone available – God uses yielded vessels, not necessarily popular ones.
He will reject anyone who deviates – If a person or ministry refuses to align with His standards, He will set them aside (1 Sam. 15:26).

4. OBSTACLES TO REVIVAL AND RESTORATION

When a church has fallen into the “monument” stage, several barriers often hinder revival:

Ignorance and resistance to learning – Churches that refuse to grow in understanding become outdated.
Self-contentment and complacency – Thinking “we have arrived” kills spiritual hunger.
Excuses – Blaming others or circumstances for decline instead of taking responsibility.
Maintenance mode – Focusing on survival rather than vision and mission.
Inflexibility – Unwillingness to adapt or try new strategies.
Low morale and discouragement – The people lose hope and passion.
Spiritual lukewarmness – Half-hearted worship and service.
Unwillingness to pay the price – Revival has a cost—time, energy, prayer, sacrifice.
Lack of prayer – Without prayer, there can be no fire.
Demonic interference – The enemy fights every true move of God. Spiritual warfare is essential.

5. HOW TO MOVE FROM MONUMENT BACK TO MOVEMENT

By God’s grace, restoration is possible. A church that has lost its fire can be reignited. Here are the biblical and practical steps:

Change and Renew the Leadership
Leaders must be spiritually strong, visionary, humble, and Spirit-filled.
Repent, Return, and Be Renewed
The church must return to its first love (Rev. 2:5), repent of past failings, and seek fresh grace.
Rebuild a Strong Prayer Altar
Genuine revival starts and is sustained on the altar of prayer.
Release the Past and Walk in Forgiveness
Let go of hurts, betrayals, and failures. Embrace a fresh start.
Unity Between Pastors and Members
The move of God requires oneness in vision, love, and service.
Inspire and Mobilize the Saints
Encourage, teach, and stir up spiritual gifts within the church.
Revisit and Refine the Church’s Vision and Mandate
Rediscover why God planted that church and refocus on it.
Demonstrate and Demand Commitment
Leaders must lead by example and challenge others to consecrate their lives afresh.
Target Your Evangelism Strategically
Reach out intentionally—locally and globally—with the gospel.
Walk Closely With and Obey the Holy Spirit
Sensitivity to the Spirit’s leading is the only way to sustain revival.

CONCLUSION:

The Body of Christ must rise up and take this message seriously. God is still moving. He is still building His church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it (Matt. 16:18). However, if we are not vigilant, we may become museums displaying what God once did, instead of altars where He is still working.

Let every pastor, church worker, and believer return to the ancient paths of holiness, prayer, obedience, and evangelism—and may our churches remain movements of God, not lifeless monuments.