I read a sentence from "The Knowledge of the Holy" by AW Tozer. Tozer states, "The first step down for any church is taken when it surrenders its high opinion of God." This statements forces us to ask ourselves and our congregations, "To you who is God? What is your perception of Him?" The response can directly affect wheather our churches grow according to this statement. I think most churches are holding on to the perception that Jesus was sent to make us happy...which causes many churches to decline in number and Spirit.