Michael W. Foss is senior pastor of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Burnsville, MN. I've been reading a book that he wrote titled, "Power Surge."

If you have heard of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, then you already know that it is a huge church where thousands worship each Sunday. It is also a growing congregation.

If we were to take a poll, I suspect that nearly every pastor in the world would like to serve a growing congregation. I suspect that nearly all parishioners would like to see their congregation grow. I'm not much different from most other Christians. I want to see the people of this congregation grow spiritually, and I want to see our numbers increase.

As I read books written by the pastors of large growing congregations, I look for the secret of their success. I have discovered that it is not a secret.

At Prince of Peace, people are encouraged to become disciples. They are encouraged to become followers of Christ. There are certain things that followers of Christ do. Michael Foss calls them "marks of discipleship."

At Prince of Peace the marks of discipleship are printed on a card that people can have in their wallet, hang on their refrigerator, or use as a bookmark. It is about the size of a credit card. It is given to members, friends, and visitors. Here is what it looks like.

Here is what Michael Foss says about the six marks of discipleship. "Clearly, the six marks of discipleship that we list and seek commitment to at Prince of Peace are not an exhaustive list of all the spiritual disciplines that a Christian might practice. In our experience, however, they are foundational practices that over time, become the bedrock upon which lives of faithful discipleship are built."

There is no secret. In congregations where the members pray, worship, read the Bible, serve others, encourage one another, and give of their time talents and resources, the members grow spiritually. They become disciples. The congregation also grows numerically.

There is no program that will accomplish this for a congregation. There is no gimmick that will accomplish this for a congregation. People simply need to devote themselves to following Christ. Followers of Christ pray, worship, read the Bible, serve others, encourage each other, and give.

If you want to give this congregation a power surge, then take a look at the card, make the commitment, and follow through. The place to begin is with yourself.

May each and every one of us grow in faith and in obedience to Jesus Christ our Lord. God bless you all.

Sincerely,

Pastor Birk

P.S. Power Surge will be in the library as soon as I finish reading it.