PRINCIPLES FOR CHURCH GROWTH: Syllabus and Assignments

Christian experts have done a lot of research on the growth of many denominations, past and present, established everywhere in the world, in order to find out what accelerates and slows down the development of the Church. These experts have written volumes on the principles and methods by which congregations, denominations, and entire nations can experience explosive growth within the Church of Jesus Christ. This course studies those principles and prepares the coordinator for all the courses which will follow, especially the courses on Strategy and Evaluation for Church Growth.

	Unit	Lesson	Assignment
1.	Introduction	Syllabus and Assignments	A profile of a local
2.	What is Church Growth?	The Confusion: What it is not.	Church in the city;
3.		What it is: a Definition	you should note
4.		What it is: Ecclesiology	and analyze strong
5.		What it is: Philosophy of Ministry 1	and weak points
6.		What it is: Philosophy of Ministry 2	of the congregation
7.		What it is: Process and Attitude	Then, you should
8.		God’s Mission / Man’s Omission	prescribe treatment
9.	God’s plan	The Incarnation	so that the Church
10.		God’s People in the World	regains its
11.		Church Growth by the Power of the Spirit	spiritual health.
12.		Church Growth and the Means of Grace	Your remedy
13.	God’s Church	Images of the Church: An Organism 1	should include a
14.		Images of the Church: An Organism 2	program of
15.		Historic Overview of Church Growth	evangelism and
16.	God’s mission	Comprehensive Evangelism	discipleship.
17.		What is the Mission?
18.		What is a Church Growth Leader
19.		Focused Light
20.		An Overview of the Mission
21.	Some sociological aspects	An Ethnic Approach to World Evangelism	There is an
22.		Working Tools	optional final
23.	Church planting	Church Planting 1	exam for those
24.		Church Planting 2	who fail in doing
25.		Church Planting 3	a Church profile.
26.		The Context of Church Growth
27.		Outlines to Discern in Church Growth
28.	Causes of Church Growth	Causes of Church Growth
29.		Causes of Church Decline
30.		Social Classes & Socio-Economic Advance
31.	Evaluating Church Growth	Measuring and Evaluating Church Growth 1
32.		Measuring and Evaluating Church Growth 2
33.		A program of evangelism
34.		A program of evangelism

The Confusion: What Church Growth is not

I. It is not a program.

A. Good programs help the Church to grow: Sunday School, Bible Study, etc. ...

B. Church Growth is a process, a set of principles.

1. Church Growth principles are taken from the Bible.

2. A Church Growth principle is an eternal truth, and if it is well applied, it leads the Church to significant quantitative and qualitative Church Growth.

II. It is not a numbers game.

A. We should not limit Church Growth to calculations.

B. Church Growth does not exclude quantitative or qualitative growth.

C. Church Growth is quantitative and qualitative.

1. The Great Commission: make disciples of all ethnic groups. Mt. 28:19-20

a) It is not just external growth: reaching the lost.

b) It is also internal growth: equipping the saints of the Church.

c) When we evangelize, we strengthen the members of the Church.

2. The First Century Church: phenomenal Church Growth. Ac. 1:15; 2:41-42; 4:4

3. Statistics: the numbers represent sheep! Mt. 18:12

a) Counting people doesn’t mean that we do not love them.

b) On the contrary, counting people means we love them.

c) What is more important? Counting people or counting money?

III. This is not something new.

A. Church Growth principles are not new.

B. They are principles which many Churches have been neglecting for some time.

C. Some Churches speak about these principles, but they don’t apply them.

D. Church Growth principles often seem new.

E. We read the Bible with “Church Growth eyes.”

F. It is a different perspective from the customary one and the routine.

IV. It is not centered on man.

A. A dynamic Church sometimes seem to be centered on a pastor or on a group.

B. We often accuse the pastor of making an empire for himself.

C. We don’t put people at the center of ministry.

1. Jesus is the center and Lord of any true ministry.

2. The principle of obedience to Jesus Christ is essential to this movement.

3. John the Baptist said, “He must increase, and I must decrease.” John 3:30

4. The Lordship of Jesus is essential for sustained growth of the Church. Ps 127:1

5. There are false prophets seeking a reputation with questionable motives.

6. Church Growth followers are dedicated to the cause of Jesus Christ and sacrifice personally for the growth of the Kingdom of God.

V. It is not superficial.

1. Church Growth is not easy; it takes a lot of work.

2. Trials and effort are necessary for Church Growth.

3. Church Growth emphasizes people’s needs and the way to meet those needs.

4. Those who do not want to pay the price should not even start. Lu. 14:28

5. Carrying your cross and following Jesus demands a sacrifice of your time, effort, money, possessions, changing, risk and faith.

6. The commitment is worth it because participating in the work of God surpasses any other joy this world offers.

What Church Growth is: a Definition

I. Basic

The sum total of everything necessary to lead people to Jesus Christ, disciple them, and integrate them into the life of the Church.

II. Scientific

The science which studies the nature, planting, multiplication, function, health, and good operation of Christian Churches as they commit themselves to obeying the Great Commission to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19). This science attempts to combine the eternal principles of the Word of God with the observations of the social sciences, using as a starting point the fundamental research of Dr. Donald McGavran.

A. We put into practice: Church Growth is practical, not just theoretical.

1. Researching the nature, function, and the health of the Church is not the goal.

2. It is a means to reach a goal: effective implementation of the Great Commission.

3. Sometimes the Church does it; sometimes it does not.

4. The good steward effectively uses resources at his disposal.

5. Evangelism is done is three phases.

a) Presence: Be present with non-Christians

b) Proclamation: Announce the Gospel to non-Christians completely.

c) Persuasion: Seek to convince non-Christians to make a commitment.

6. Discipleship: The task is not over when evangelism is finished.

a) Enquire: Study the area you want to evangelize

b) Evangelize: Proclaim the Good News

c) Establish: Strengthen new converts

d) Equip: Offer necessary personnel, training and material for the ministry

e) Expand: Allow those whom you supervise to have a ministry.

f) Evaluate: Check up on the work of those sent out to see it if is well done

B. We do research: We ask diagnostic questions on the health of the Church..

1. Is there a Church in the village? In what neighborhood of the city?

2. Is the Church growing? Are there new members?

3. Are they transfers from other Churches or new converts?

4. Has the Church grown more this year than last?

5. How many members are participating in a weekly Bible study?

6. How many members are trained to do evangelism?

C. We measure: We take the temperature of the Church when we have the facts.

1. If the ministry is important, we measure the results.

2. We do not hide the truth, even if it is bad.

3. We measure results, not just activities.

D. We evaluate: we interpret the results..

1. The report exposes the sickness and prescribes treatment.

2. The report contains recommendations to improve the situation.

3. Sometimes the local Church will die because it is so sick.

What Church Growth is: Ecclesiology, the Theology of the Church

I. The Church is more than an institution.

1. Many consider the Church as a denomination.

a) The denominational phenomenon does not exist in the Word.

2. Others consider the Church as a simple building.

a) The nature of the Church is not related to material objects.

3. The Reformation expressed it this way: “The Church is the place where the Word is proclaimed and the sacraments are administered.”

II. The Church is a biblical notion.

1. The New Testament Church is defined in two ways:

a) Universal: the body of saints

b) Local: the local assembly

2. The Church emphasizes the reality that God calls people to be His possession. 1 Pe. 2:9

3. Baptism is a demonstration of the divine possession of an individual.

a) His sins are forgiven.

b) He is born again.

c) He enters into the family of God.

d) He takes the name, Christian.

e) He receives an inheritance which includes eternal life.

III. The Church is a living organism: the body of Christ, the sheepfold ...

1. The principal goal of the Church is to grow.

a) It is natural and supernatural that the Church grow.

b) The Church should experience constant revival. .

c) Growth is thus the norm, not the exception.

d) Any Church should offer a context where people can grow. 2 Peter 3:18

2. We sometimes give reasons why the Church is not growing.

a) But every organism in the world grows.

b) Churches which are not growing have a problem et go against the will of God.

c) The problem always lies in the human element of the Church.

d) All have sinned, and it is sin that blocks Church Growth.

e) Church Growth allows for diagnosis of the sickness which is hindering the normal development of the Church.

What Church Growth is: a Philosophy of Ministry 1

I. It is a way of viewing the comprehensive task of the ministry.

A. The mission is to proclaim the whole Gospel to every person in the whole world.

B. A philosophy is an identity..

1. Each Church projects an image of what it is: it has strong points.

a) A center of evangelism

b) A center of fellowship

c) A worship center

d) A center of Christian Education

2. Each local Church is different.

C. The Christian Church is a mosaic of unity in diversity.

1. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism. Eph. 4:5

2. All are one in Christ. Gal. 3:28

3. The diversity of our Churches reflects the variety of our philosophies of ministry.

D. Church Growth values the variety which God has given to the Church.

E. Church Growth values modifications in the contents of the Gospel because Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Light. John 14:6

II. It is sharing characteristics and attitudes we have in common.

A. Its philosophy is based on the means of grace and on prayer.

1. There are no “gimmicks” to help the Church grow.

2. It is a spiritual experience which demands collective and individual repentance.

3. The unity is based on the grace and forgiveness of God in Christ.

4. Renewed respect for the Word of God becomes the norm.

5. People show willingness to live in the lordship of Jesus Christ.

B. Its philosophy revolves around the Great Commission.

1. The emphasis is no longer on acquiring more members for our Church.

2. The training of disciples is emphasized.

3. We don’t simply make converts; we make disciples.

4. The priority of evangelism does not go beyond that of sanctification.

5. The Church takes care of its believers from the cradle to the grave.

C. Its philosophy recognizes that every Church member has a ministry.

1. God placed a professional and qualified team in the congregation.

2. The role of that team is to equip the saints for the ministry. Ephesians 4:12

3. Martin Luther spoke frequently of the “priesthood of the saints.” 1 Peter 2:9

4. Each Christian must discover his gifts and be trained for the ministry which corresponds to his gifts.

What Church Growth is: a Philosophy of Ministry 2

D. Its philosophy is sensitive to the felt needs of the people to be reached.

1. Jesus wanted people to be forgiven and in good relationship with the Father.

2. That is why He died on the cross. Romans 6:5-11

3. Jesus never stopped having compassion for the whole person.

a) He saw that the Samaritan woman needed water and salvation. John 4:6-42

b) He gave bread and the Gospel to the multitudes. Matthew 15:32

4. The Gospel must be given by our words and our acts.

5. People are receptive when the Church seeks to meet all their needs.

E. Its philosophy is oriented toward the mission and the sending of missionaries.

1. It does not only mean that the doors are open to those who come.

2. It also means that people are sent into the world to seek the lost.

3. It does not emphasize people coming to Church; rather, it emphasizes the Church going out to the people.

4. The accent is not put on looking inward, but on looking outward. John 20:21b

5. We meet on Sundays for the Word and the sacraments to be sent into the world during the week.

6. The Church is God’s people in society, ambassadors for Jesus Christ. 2 Cor. 5:20

F. Its philosophy stimulates concern for the world and its spiritual condition.

1. Its perspective is global, not just local. Matthew 24:14

2. The burden is shared: to seek those who are lost. Matthew 16:24

3. A world mission is supported through prayer and finances.

4. Missionaries are also sent from the local Church.

5. The people of God are challenged to work full-time for Jesus, not just at home, but also in other regions.

6. The congregation which applies Church Growth principles stays informed about global strategies which are planned and implemented by other Christian groups.

What Church Growth is: a Process and an Attitude

I. A Process: it is not a program.

A. This set of principles will have a comprehensive effect on the congregation.

B. A program is limited because it does not impact all aspects of the Church.

C. Principles will have an impact on all the committees of the Church.

D. Principles tend to unite all the groups of an assembly because they describe the principle goal of the Church.

E. Thanks to this realization, the Church with its diverse committees begins to plan strategies with a unity of purpose.

F. This is not a temporary experience, something popular for the moment, something that passes with time; principles can be applied at various times.

II. An attitude: a Commitment to Jesus and His Great Commission.

A. It is more than an ideology, a theology, a philosophy, or a process; it is an attitude.

B. We are optimistic.

1. Jesus did not send people to carry out an impossible mission.

2. A little seed of faith can transport mountains. Mt. 17:20

3. Jesus promised to build His Church. Mt. 16:18

C. We are pragmatic.

1. Stewardship implies effectiveness and analysis.

2. Too often the Church keeps a program because “we’ve always done it that way.”

3. We must evaluate each program: does it contribute to the growth and maturity of Christians?

4. Good stewardship demands that the Church get rid of what doesn’t work.

D. We are responsible.

1. God’s people are responsible for the use of their time, talents, energy, and resources.

2. The Christian works for the approval of his Master. Mt. 25:21

3. Every effort should be measured and evaluated for its effectiveness.

4. Jesus Christ is as interested in results as in the process.

a) He wants all the seats at the banquet to be filled. Luke 14:23

b) He wants us to harvest in the fields. Mt. 9:37

c) He wants us to catch fish. Luke 5:4

d) He wants His people to be fishers of men. Mt. 4:19

E. We persevere: we redeem the time.

1. The time is short; we must do the work now. John 9:4

2. The Lord will return soon; we must act quickly. 1 Th. 5:2

3. The world is full of people who die every day without Christ.

God’s Mission / Man’s Omission

I. God created the whole universe, especially man. Gen. 1-3

A. There was no sin.

B. There was no separation between God and man.

C. Temptation was trying to be like God, independently from God.

D. Man and woman discovered sin because of their rebellion.

II. The divine image was tarnished. Gen. 2-3

A. Sin polluted the whole human race.

B. The spiritual sickness was inherited by all generations.

III. God decided to give man a second chance. Gen. 3:9-24

A. God had the option to destroy man and woman.

B. But God’s love had the last word.

IV. God loves man in spite of his rebellion. Gen. 3:7-24

A. Adam and Eve saw that they were naked..

B. God gave clothing to Adam and Eve in spite of their pitiful state.. Gen. 3:21

V. God gave His people a promise.

A. God told Abraham that He would bless the him. Gen. 22:17

B. He elaborated on the promise while speaking to David. 2 Sam. 7:8

C. He continued reminding Israel through His prophets of a Messiah. Is. 7:14b

VI. God set aside a missionary people. Gen. 12

A. The covenant between God and His people had a missionary goal. Gen. 12:3

1. The covenant depended on the obedience of His people.

2. Israel had to share the covenant of God with other nations. Ex. 19:5-6

B. Israel was supposed to represent God to the other nations.

1. God made Israel an example of how He would act toward any nation seeking Him. Isaiah 37:20; Joshua 7:9

2. The Israelites refused the divine plan to be a missionary nation. Jonah

3. Confronted with the sin of pagan nations, Israel compromised her holiness: she committed adultery with the nations; she became like them. Hosea

C. God sent prophets to call Israel to repentance.

1. The prophets proclaimed a new day for Israel. Ezech.36:26-27; Jer.31:31

2. The messianic prophets were more and more prominent.

3. The Messiah is presented as the one who will save the nations. Is. 19:23-25

4. The prophets told Israel in detail of her missionary responsibility to call all nations to God. Is. 55:5; 56:6-8; 66:18-19

5. The Messiah would reign everywhere during the millennium. Is. 25:6-8; Hab.2:14

D. God’s mission is not ethnocentric, but theocentric. Ezech. 36:22-23

God’s Plan: the Incarnation

I. God became flesh in Jesus Christ.

A. It was necessary to restore man to his former relationship with God.

B. If God had not come Himself, all our sins could not have been taken away.

C. If God had not come Himself, salvation would be neither infinite nor universal.

II. At Jesus’ birth, God’s peace was announced.

A. God’s peace is the result of a good relationship with Him.

B. It is a relationship which begins when God’s forgiveness is received.

C. This forgiveness depends upon receiving the Son of God.

III. God’s peace and forgiveness are beyond comprehension.

A. God sent His Son for unworthy people.

B. That’s God’s plan, not man’s, because man would never do that.

C. God’s plan of salvation succeeds if man does not prevent it.

IV. Jesus Christ’s ministry is not a human endeavor.

A. Jesus began His ministry by His baptism. John 1:29

B. Jesus is more than a representative of God’s mercy; He is God’s mercy in the flesh. John 3:16

C. Jesus is the only means we have to reach God. John 10:9; 14:6; Ac 4:12

D. Jesus is not simply a part of the divine plan of salvation; He is the divine plan of salvation in the flesh. Rm. 5:1-2; Heb. 7:26-28

V. The cross is the supreme demonstration of God’s love.

A. Jesus was forsaken by His Father.

B. The Son bore the judgment of His Father, that which we deserved.

C. The result was His death and His separation from the Father.

D. Jesus said that everything was finished at His death. John 19:30

1. “Tetelestaï” means that the “debt is paid.”

2. The plan of forgiveness is complete; the matter is concluded.

VI. Jesus rose from the dead. 1 Corinthians 15

A. Jesus defeated death and Satan.

B. He offers us life after death.

C. He offers us the possibility to defeat death and Satan.

D. For those who believe, Jesus will come and indwell them.

E. “Me” dies; henceforth, Jesus lives in me. Galatians 2:20

VII.Jesus is present amongst His people.

A. Jesus promised to be with His disciples. John 28:20

B. He is present in His Word.

C. He is present in His Church.

D. He is present in the body of each believer.

God’s Plan: God’s People in the World

I. The Church is the image of Christ in the world.

A. God’s desire to know all humanity continues in the body of Christ.

B. Jesus is the head of the body. Colossians 1:18

C. God’s people are spokesmen for the King.. Eph. 4:15; Rom. 12:5; 2 Cor. 5:20

D. The living and resurrected Christ continues incarnate through His Church.

II. Jesus Christ proclaims His victory through those who preach His Word.

A. God’s law is our teacher.

1. It condemns sin.

2. It shows God’s will.

3. It reflects how God wants people to live.

4. It shows where man fails.

5. It gives instructions for live.

B. The Gospel frees us from God’s law.

1. It reveals God’s pardon.

2. It restores those who are condemned by the law.

3. It stimulates delivered people to proclaim their freedom to others.

4. It allows people to grow in a life of discipleship.

III. Jesus’ redemption is now revealed through His people.

A. The ministry of reconciliation is revealed in baptism.

B. The ministry of forgiveness is revealed in Holy Communion.

C. Jesus was sent, sacrificed, and resurrected for the growth of His Church.

IV. Jesus’ mission is centered in the Church, His divine agent.

A. Current manifestations of the Church are not all found in the Bible.

1. Universal Church - “laos” and “kleros” - all Christians at any time (invisible)

2. Local Church: “ekklesia,” and “koinonia” - assembly in a specific place (visible)

3. National Church: all Christians in a nation

4. Denominational Church: all Christians bound by a common doctrine, a common label, and common statutes.

5. Ecumenical Church: institutional union of Churches

6. Church building: the building where Christians meet, the temple, or the parish

B. The nature of the Church is often poorly understood.

1. “Laos” means “people of God,” laity, all the saints. 1 Peter 2:9-10

2. “Kleros” means “God’s inheritors, the clergy, all the saints.” 1 Peter 1:3-4

3. “Koinonia” means “brotherly and spiritual communion” amongst God’s people.

4. “Ekklesia” means “the assembly, those who are called out.”

C. The ministries of the Church are often neglected.

1. Evangelism: the work of the ministry in the world.

2. Edification: the work of the ministry to the saints.

Church Growth by the Power of the Holy Spirit

I. Church Growth is supernatural.

A. If Church Growth is not total & comprehensive, it is not the Holy Spirit’s fault..

1. Man puts obstacles in front of Church Growth.

2. Man continues to want to do his will instead of that of his Father.

B. The Church was born at Pentecost. Ac 2

1. The disciples had a new commitment, a new vision, a new understanding, and a new power to carry out God’s plan.

2. The first century Church was alive and did not yet know the burden of non-productive traditions, lazy habits, and fearful faith. Ac 8:14

C. The Church had weak points.

1. The Corinthians put too much accent on the power of the Holy Spirit. 1 Cor. 12-14

2. Many Churches became non-productive before the end of the 1^st century. Rev. 2:5

3. As early as the 2^nd century, many Churches already needed a reform.

4. Since then, we have needed a Church Growth movement which reminds saints of the Holy Spirit’s operation, that of calling, assembling, feeding, et keeping people in the faith.

D. The Church grows by the Holy Spirit.

1. It is God who takes the initiative to lead people to repentance and faith.

2. If man tries to organize without the Holy Spirit, he will hinder God’s work.

a) The Word is no longer the priority where Christ is not the center of activities.

b) The Church organism often becomes the Church organization. .

c) The preaching of the Word no longer responds to the people’s needs.

d) Holy Communion and baptism are becoming rituals.

e) Christians are becoming spectators.

f) Evangelism is becoming the work of the pastor only.

g) Spiritual growth is for children only.

3. Church Growth does not seek to help the Holy Spirit.

4. Church Growth seeks to help people remove the barriers to the growth of the Church.

Church Growth and the Means of Grace

I. Means of grace are ways God offers love to His people.

1. God’s grace is His kindness, His favor, His forgiveness, for every person.

2. We see God’s means of grace through the Bible, baptism, and Holy Communion.

3. His means of grace give us the proper motive for growth.

II. The Bible is a means of grace for Church Growth.

A. The Word is the primary source of external Church Growth.

1. The Church grows where the Word of God is preached.

2. Non-believers need a witness of Jesus Christ, not that of the building, a program, or an activity.

3. Church Growth is sincere and effective when it is based on the Bible.

B. The Word is the source of internal Church Growth.

1. When people study the Bible, they grow in faith and in maturity.

2. Backsliders need to hear more about God’s concern for them, not about human reasoning or the necessity to go to Church.

3. When a person is rooted in the Word, he resists the world’s temptations. Phi. 2:16

4. Growing Churches are characterized by their appreciation for the Word. Mt. 28:20

III. Baptism is a means of grace for Church Growth.

A. External Church Growth depends of the miracle of baptism.

1. Baptism is an essential part of disciples’ training. Mt. 28:19

2. The Holy Spirit enters into people when they are born again. John 3:3

B. Internal Church Growth depends on the miracle of baptism.

1. Each time a new convert is baptized, the saints remember their baptism.

2. The saints are fed when they remember their repentance and their commitment.

3. The saints better resist Satan when they remember the coming of the Holy Spirit.

4. Baptism contributes to fellowship in the Church.

a) We share in a common birth.

b) We are part of the same family.

c) We discover His gift in the body’s ministries. Rom.12; 1 Cor. 12; Éph.4

IV. Communion is a means of grace for Church Growth.

A. Communion demonstrates forgiveness and renewing of God’s people.

B. Communion puts missions and the ministry in God’s perspective.

C. Communion makes it possible for the participation of sinners in God’s mission; the Father does not ask for perfect people in His work.

D. Church Growth will not take place without spiritually renewed people. Mt. 9:17

E. Participation in communion is collective as well as personal and individual.

V. Obedience to Jesus Christ is the only motivation for Church Growth.

A. Greatness is not a proper motive: constructing an empire for oneself.

B. Human success is not a proper motive: swelling the head of leaders

C. Publicity is not a good motive: to make oneself known.

Images of the Church: a Living Organism 1

I. God’s temple

A. The biblical temple is a living structure still being constructing.

B. The foundation of the Church is alive: it’s Jesus Christ. Eph. 2:20; 2 Peter 2:7

1. The apostles and the prophets are part of the foundation. Eph. 2:20

2. Christians make up part of the building. Eph. 2:21

C. God’s temple is the place where God resides.

1. The Holy Spirit indwells those who make up His Church. 1 Cor.3:16; 6:19; 2 Cor.6:16

2. The Holy Spirit indwells the living stones of His temple. Eph. 2:22; 1 Peter 2:5

D. God is the owner of the Church. 1 Cor. 3:9

1. God makes His Church grow. 1 Cor. 3:6-7

2. Christians work at the construction of the Church.. 1 Cor. 6:8

3. Christian workers represent the work site. 1 Cor. 3:9

E. God’s building cannot be destroyed.

II. God’s family (God’s house)

A. This image is related to that of the temple. Eph. 2:18-20

B. The family is united. Eph. 2:18

C. Christians are no longer strangers to God.. Eph. 2:19

D. God is the Father of His children. Mt. 23:9; John 1:12; Gal. 4:4-7

E. The children have free access to the Father. Eph. 2:18; 3:12

F. The house is the Church of the living God. 1 Tim. 3:15

G. The other saints are our brothers. 1 Peter 2:17; 5:9

H. Our membership in God’s family depends on Jesus only. Heb. 2:10-18

III. God’s flock

A. Jesus declared that He came for the lost sheep of Israel. Mt. 10:6

B. Jesus said that those who follow Him are His sheep. John 10:4

1. He asked His disciples to follow Him and become fishers of men.. Mt. 4:19

2. His disciples must take up their cross and follow Him. Mk. 8:34-35

3. Those who follow Him must have a burden for the lost.

4. Good sheep follow the Shepherd and will receive eternal life. John 10:10,28

C. Stewards must feed and protect the flock. Ac. 20:28; 1 Peter 5:3-4

D. Jesus will equip His own so that they carry out His will. Heb. 13:20-21

E. Sheep are the people of God, the Israel of God. Galatians 6:16

F. Those whom God has chosen as His possession are His people.. 1 Peter 2:9; Rev. 21:3

G. God’s people have the great commission to reach those of all ethnic groups with the good news of Jesus Christ. Rev. 5:9-10

H. Jesus is our Shepherd because of His redemptive death for His sheep. Titus 2:14

Images of the Church: a Living Organism 2

IV. The Priesthood of God 1 Peter 2:9-10

A. The living Church is the one which serves.

B. All the saints make up part of the royal priesthood.

1. God places His own in the ministry.

2. All are saints because they have all been set apart for His service.

3. All are royal because they belong to the King of kings.

4. The priesthood serves God, declares His wonders, does His will, glorifies Him....

C. Forgiveness allows God’s people to be a royal priesthood. Rev. 5:10

D. The priests come from all tribes and nations. Rev. 5:10

V. The Vine and the Branches Mt. 21:33-43

A. All the stewards in the vineyard will have to give an account.

B. The resources belong to God, but they are loaned to his stewards so that they use them for His honor and glory.

C. Jesus declared that He was the Vine. John 15:5

D. The Lord is interested in the fruit which the branches produce.

E. Those who bear fruit glorify the Father. John 15:8

F. The fruit which Jesus desires is that which remains eternally. John 15:16

G. The key to discipleship is to remain attached to Jesus. John 15:4

VI. God’s bride Mt. 25:6-13

A. Jesus Christ is the promised Spouse for God’s people. 2 Cor. 11:2

B. Those not waiting for His return at the marriage feast will be cast out. . Mt. 25:12

C. The Church must anticipate, prepare, and plan for Christ’s return.

D. The Light must always shine because Christ is that Light. Mt. 5:14-16; John 8:12

E. We must not forget our first love. Rev. 2:4-5

VII.Christ’s body

A. Jesus is the head which controls everything. Eph. 1:22; 5:15; Col. 1:18

B. The Church is Christ’s body in the world.

C. Every saint is a member of the body.

D. There is a great diversity in the Body’s unity. Rom. 12:4; 1 Cor. 12:27; Eph. 4:11

E. The Church edifies itself in love when each member works in a coordinated way with the strength granted him. Eph. 4:16

Historic Overview of Church Growth

I. The New Testament is an example of a living Church.

A. The books of Acts presents us with an explosion in Church Growth.

B. Paul’s letters shows us the difficulties and problems in its development.

1. There were problems of bad theology.

2. There were problems of bad practices.

3. Sin had tarnished the Church since its beginning.

C. Nevertheless, the Church was in good health.

1. They met everyday to listen to the Word of God and take Communion. Ac. 2:46

2. The Church’s expansion was spontaneous.

3. Everyone had the responsibility and the privilege to share the Gospel.

D. Comprehensive growth was part of the very definition of the Church.

II. The Roman Empire is an example of an institutional Church.

A. Emperor Constantine was converted to Christianity.

B. He proclaimed Christianity as the official state religion in the 4^th Century.

C. Spontaneous expansion was stifled by the bureaucratic institution.

D. Church expansion thus followed the expansion of the Roman Empire.

E. The emperor ordered all Roman citizens to become Christians.

III. The monastic orders contributed greatly to Church Growth.

A. Roman Catholicism from the 10th to the 14th centuries became top heavy with politics and hierarchy.

B. The Augustinians began to study the Scriptures to know why the Catholic Church put so much emphasis on works.

C. A monk, Martin Luther, began the Reform because of his Bible studies.

D. The Gospel’s central theme was restored: Salvation by grace coming from faith in Jesus Christ.

IV. The Reform of the 16th Century got people reading the Bible.

A. Thanks to the printing press, many Bibles and tracts were distributed.

B. Bible reading prepared the missionary movements of the 9th century.

V. 19th Century Societies Began Sending Out Missionaries Again.

A. Missionary conferences became popular.

B. Missionary agencies were organized.

C. Bible societies were founded.

D. Many missionaries were sent to unreached regions.

VI. 20th Century Protestantism Lapsed toward Liberal Theology.

A. Churches replaced evangelism by social action.

B. Missions struggled with national Churches wanting to govern themselves.

C. Missions mixed Western culture with the Gospel.

D. With the movements for political independence, many Christians began to question the validity of the missionary effort.

VII.Church Growth was born in this context.

A. The movement wanted to renew God’s plan for His Church.

B. Its members see the Church as a living organism with a mission.

C. It effort is interdenominational because collaboration from all denominations is necessary to carry out the Great Commission of our Lord Jesus Christ..

God’s Mission: Comprehensive Evangelism

I. God’s plan includes reproductive multiplication. Genesis 1:28

A. It is the key to the continuity of all life.

B. It is the key to the survival of the Church.

II. Evangelism is the God’s reproductive process.

A. It is the method ordained by God for the expansion of Christianity.

B. Biblical evangelism is comprehensive, inclusive, and total.

1. It is not simply the responsibility of a committee or the task of the pastor.

2. It is not simply a special event or a monthly project.

3. It is the very life of the Church: the process by which others come to life and begin a relationship with Jesus Christ.

III. Church Growth is not a Program of Evangelism.

A. Evangelism is a vital element in Church Growth.

B. Evangelism is not the Great Commission, but it is a part.

C. The First Century Church grew quickly because evangelism was its priority.

IV. Evangelism is Essential for Internal and External Church Growth.

A. Evangelism is not an option because the process is cyclical.

B. Church Growth does not separate external from internal Church Growth.

C. The two types of growth go together and cannot be separated.

1. Growth from the outside to the inside: External growth

a) With evangelism, people on the outside enter into the kingdom.

b) The Holy Spirit uses Christians to evangelize non-Christians.

c) The Holy Spirit urges listeners to respond to the proclamation of the Good News and to receive Jesus as their Savior and Lord.

d) Converts seek to be baptized and incorporated into the Church.

e) The new believers grow in the teachings of the Church.

f) Consequently, the assembly grows; this is external growth.

2. Growth from the inside to the outside: internal growth

a) If the saints are committed to obeying the commandment of external Church Growth, internal Church Growth will occur naturally.

b) Many saints do not understand the Gospel before sharing it.

c) The discipline of proclaiming the Good News allows the saint to apply it in other areas of his personal life.

d) Those who share their faith are more and more attracted to the Word.

e) Those who evangelize experience the power of the Holy Spirit when He makes them ambassadors of Jesus Christ. Mt. 10:19-20; 28:18-20

f) The work of harvesters edifies the whole Church. John 4:3-5

(1) The more a worker labors in the field, the stronger he gets, the hungrier he is, the more he eats, and the more he see fruit from his efforts.

(2) God gives the field, the soil, the seeds, the sun, the rain, and even life, but the worker must cultivate or there will not be a harvest.

What is the Mission?

I. The definition of evangelism

A. Presence

1. There are Churches which emphasize good works and the necessity to be associated with non-believers, to help them in their everyday problems, and to respond to their physical, intellectual, and emotional needs.

2. “We evangelize by our good works,” they say.

B. Proclamation

1. There are Churches which support the importance of our presence among non-believers, but they emphasize the proclamation of the good news, regardless of the results.

2. “We evangelize by proclaiming, even if people are not interested,” they say.

C. Persuasion

1. There are Churches which support the importance of our presence and our proclamation, but they emphasize the necessity of seeking to persuade the non-believer to receive Christ after having explained the Gospel.

2. “We evangelize by going to non-believers, by proclaiming the Good News with the goal of convincing them to change sides, to leave the world and follow God.”

D. A summary definition

1. Evangelism is presenting the Gospel in such a way that the non-believer has a valid opportunity to receive Jesus Christ as his Savior and Lord.

II. The “traditional position” Matthew 28:19-20; Romans 10:9

A. “Proclaim to the entire world the Good News of Jesus Christ, so that men believe in Him and be saved.”

B. The mission is thus understood in the terms, “Proclaim ... the Good News.”

C. The emphasis is on conversion of the soul and its development in the Church.

D. This position is called the evangelistic mandate.

III. The “ecumenical position” Mt.22:37-39; Mc.12:29-33; Ro.13:9; Ga.5:14; Ja.2:8

A. “We must establish peace in the sense of social harmony.”

B. This peace (shalom) is synonymous with the Kingdom of God.

C. The mission is therefore a historical process for the renewing of society.

1. The resolution of conflicts within industry.

2. Different attempts in rural development

3. The elimination of all racial discrimination

D. The emphasis is on social action and the development of daily life

E. This position is called the cultural mandate (or social mandate).

IV. Biblical synthesis John 20:21

A. Social action (loving your neighbor) and the proclamation of the Gospel (making disciples) are partners in God’s mission.

B. The mission encompasses both: works and verbal confession

C. There is no biblical justification for isolating one mandate from the other; the two are complementary and cannot be separated.

What is a Church Growth Leader?

I. What a Church Growth Leader is not

A. It is not someone with a certain combination of spiritual gifts..

B. It is not someone with a certain personality.

C. It is not someone with a certain training.

D. It is not someone who uses a worldly image and approach.

E. It is not God.

II. What makes a person a Church Growth Leader

A. The person must recognize that only God makes the Church grow.

B. The Church must be growing.

C. People, families, and the assembly must be born again.

D. The leader must continually seek to remove obstacles which prevent the Holy Spirit from fulfilling the Lord’s Great Commission: that of making disciples of all nations.

III. Essential characteristics of a Church Growth Leader

A. He wants to participate in Church Growth. Jn.4:34-35; Ac 4:19-20

B. He is ready to pay the price for Church Growth. 2 Cor.11:24-28

1. His time

2. His money

3. His effort

C. He has great respect for the Word of God. Jer. 12-21

D. He trusts in the Spirit for His guidance et His strength. He often prays.

E. He leads the ministry; the ministry does not lead him.

F. He plans ahead and establishes long-rang goals; he is an agent of change.

G. He is a visionary: he dreams about new possibilities for the Church. Prov. 29:18

H. He knows how to delegate, motivated by the desire to see the task accomplished and the saints mobilized for the mobilization of the Church.

I. When he delegates, he does not stifle those to whom he gives responsibilities: he follows his disciples, but not too closely. Jesus sent out the 70. Mt 10; Luke 10

J. He cultivates his dependence on the Holy Spirit and on others.

K. He knows that gifts count as much as experience in the ministry.

L. He is a “player/coach: sometimes he participates in various ministries; sometimes he observes and leads others who do the ministry.

M. He knows that his main role is to equip others for the ministry.

N. He distinguishes between the ministry’s work and the ministry’s function.

O. He replaces himself; he trains a person, and he leaves to train another. Eph. 4:11-12

P. He is constantly discovering and using his spiritual gifts. Rm. 12:1-3

Q. He learns from other leaders how to best reach the lost.

R. He values the example and leads the saints out for on-the-job training; he wants people to discover, develop, and use their gifts.

S. He constantly reminds the Church of the priority of evangelism in the goal to make disciples.

T. He encourages people to help in various meetings which will contribute to their spiritual development.

U. He constantly reads and learns all that he can on Church Growth.

Focused Light

I. Jesus is the light of the world.

A. Simeon wanted to see the Messiah: he had the privilege of seeing Him. Luke 2:32

B. An ancient prophecy was fulfilled; Jesus enlightened us. Isaiah 42:66

C. The Word brought light to humanity. John 1:4-5

II. Our mission of light

A. Paul met the Light on the road to Damascus.. Acts 26:12-18

B. Paul presented the light to pagans. 2 Cor. 4:4-5

C. Our light must shine before men. Mt. 5:14-16

III. The power of focused light

A. Focused light has more impact that dispersed light.

B. Great people and big Churches concentrate on a few activities which they can do very well; they do not spread themselves too thin.

C. God’s plan is not generalized; it is focused multiplication.

1. The Holy Spirit works within each believer.

2. Each believer is to be a part of the ministry of the Great Commission.

3. Jesus was limited to one body which multiplied itself.

4. The Holy Spirit works through many Christians and Churches which multiply.

D. Multiplication is superior to addition.

1. The leader equips the saints, as Jesus equipped His disciples.

2. The Church ministries multiply as disciples multiply.

E. We must focus on the Great Commission as the Church’s fundamental priority.

1. We must understand that the Church is unique.

2. We must understand what the Church can do.

3. We must understand what the Church should do.

4. We must understand what the Church must do.

5. We must understand that if the Church is not focused, the mission of the Church loses its power, and the Church will not have much of an impact.

6. We must understand that the local Church is God’s chosen agency for the evangelization of the world.

a) It is not the missionary society.

b) It is not the denomination.

c) It is not the seminary.

d) It is not the Bible Institute.

F. The Great Commission loses its impact if we separate it from the local Church.

G. Satan uses two strategies to reduce the effectiveness of the Great Commission.

1. He removes from the local Church the sense of mission by giving the task of evangelism to the denomination or the missionary society.

2. He blurs the vision of the local Church, and it does not understand its role.

An Overview of the Mission

I. We must always keep the vision in a perspective of optimism.

A. World evangelism is more and more distributed.

B. The proportion of Christians to non-Christians is encouraging.

C. We must define the points of comparison.

1. Non-Christians: Those who do not consider themselves Christians. This category does not include those who say they are Christians and have a Bible in their language, but they do not know God or the Bible (nominal Christians, for example).

2. Christians: Those who read, believe, and obey the Bible, whether they are active in world evangelism or not.

D. We can now present statistics on Church Growth.

*Date*	*Non-Christians*	*Christians*	*Proportion*
100 AD	180,000,000	500,000	360:1
1000 AD	220,000,000	1,000,000	220:1
1500 AD	344,000,000	5,000,000	69:1
1900 AD	1,066,000,000	40,000,000	27:1
1950 AD	1,650,000,000	80,000,000	21:1
1980 AD	3,025,000,000	275,000,000	11:1
1992 AD	3,647,000,000	540,000,000	7:1

E. We can realistically state the rate of growth of the Church.

1. Christianity is the most widespread of all religions.

2. Christians experience a high rate of growth, notably in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

3. The Church Growth rate surpasses that of the world population.

4. The Church Growth rate surpasses that of non-Christians.

a) In the 1980’s, the non-Christian population grew by 413 million, a growth rate of 13.7%.

b) In the 1980’s, the Christian population grew by 225 million, a growth rate of 81%.

II. We face difficulties and difficult places.

A. Christianity is diminishing in Europe.

B. Christianity is stagnant in North America..

C. Christianity is not penetrating the 10/40 window with much success.

III. We must distribute the task to accomplish the vision to reach the unreached.

A. The are approximately 1200 unreached people groups.

B. There are approximately 500,000,000 committed Christians in 7,000,000 local Churches.

C. There are approximately 533 Churches for each of the 1.200 unreached people groups.

An Ethnic Approach to World Evangelization

I. We must reach every ethnic group within every nation.

A. We must make disciples of every ethnic group. Mt. 28:19-20

B. Jesus was sacrificed to redeem every ethnic group. Rev. 5:9

C. We must proclaim the same Gospel, according to the incarnation principle.

D. We must be bridges so that Jesus can be presented in cultural terms.

E. Jesus must speak to each one in his mother tongue, his heart language.

II. We must cross the cultural barrier.

A. How they eat

B. How they dress

C. How they live

D. How they view the world

E. How they speak

III. We must remember that the Gospel is above cultural barriers.

A. God uses friendship networks.

B. We share the Gospel in our personal relationships.

IV. We must distinguish between culture, tradition, and pure Christianity.

A. Culture: the type of Christian music I like to sing.

B. Tradition: the instruments my ancestors used to sing to Jesus.

C. Pure Christianity: the eternal truths sung to Jesus.

V. We must plant more Churches so each ethnic group worships God in its way.

A. Hears the message in its own heart language.

B. Sings in its heart language.

C. Meets with others of its own ethnic group.

D. Has fellowship with those who eat the same food.

VI. We must take the notion of homogeneity into account.

A. Homogeneous unit - a group which possesses common characteristics.

B. A people group - a significant group of individuals which have an affinity for each other because of one or many factors listed: their language, religion, habitation, profession (trade), origin, social level, customs, world vision, situation, etc. ....

C. McGavran: "People prefer to become Christians without having to cross over barriers of race, language, and social level.”

D. The application of the homogeneous unit principle to Church Growth

1. It is a tool to accept or reject.

2. It is a force to facilitate evangelism.

3. It is to be applied to the non-converted, not to the converted.

E. Collective conversion - "Multi-individual conversions."

1. These are mass movements, mutually interdependent.

Working Tools

*I. Resistance-receptivity axis*		Percentage of the population	What is their behavior and attitude toward the Gospel?
-5	Hostile
-4	Very opposed
-3	Opposed
-2	A little opposed
-1	Almost indifferent
0	Indifferent
+1	Almost favorable
+2	A little favorable
+3	Favorable
+4	Very favorable
+5	Seeking

A. This tool measures the degree of opposition or receptivity of a homogeneous people before the proclamation of the Good News.

B. We must use the tool to get to know the people better.

1. Identify the people (s)

2. Identify the degree of resistance/receptivity to the Gospel.

3. Begin to evangelize the most receptive people to the Gospel

*II. People’s Situation*	*Percentage of the Christian Population*	Who needs to be evangelized? What is their spiritual situation?
Hidden:	0%
Contacted:	0-1%
Lightly reached:	1-10%
Seriously reached:	10-20%
Reached:	20% or more

*III. Engle Scale*	*Diagnosis*	Percentage of the ethnic population
-7	No recognition of Christianity
-6	Recognition of Christianity
-5	Knowledge of the Gospel
-4	Understanding of the Gospel
-3	Understanding of the personal implications
-2	Recognition of a personal need
-1	Challenge to receive Christ
0	Decision to receive Christ
+1	Evaluation of the decision
+2	Incorporation into a local Church
+3	Active propagation of the Gospel

A. It is a tool to measure the spiritual state of a people.

B. It is a tool to indicate the process by which a decision for Christ is reached.

Church Planting 1

I. Seven attitudes for Christian Church planters

A. Assume personal responsibility for the evangelism of every ethnic group..

B. Look beyond the limits of your own local Church.

1. Think of how you can go beyond your limits.

2. Form a strategy to reach your neighborhood or village, then an entire city, a region, finally the entire nation.

3. Do you see lost ethnic groups, not just individuals?

C. Ask God to give you a deep conviction and passion for lost souls, so as to lead and incorporate them into the Church.

1. God wants sheep to enter the sheepfold.

2. God wants to use His people for His work.

D. Take time to create an atmosphere of acceptance for Church planting within your local assembly.

1. The strategy will take time; do not be in too much of a hurry.

2. We often consider Church planting as the work of the denomination.

E. Do not keep ineffective methods, even if they are traditional.

F. Train others in the principles of Church Growth.

G. Decide to serve for a long time.

1. Parents’ work continues for a long time.

2. Do not forsake the ministry, hang on, persevere until the end.

II. Models of Church Planting

A. Geographical: an identified community in a specified place

1. Chapel: the mother-Church develops a new assembly based on the 3 selves.

2. Satellite: the Church develops “branches” for those living far from the building.

3. Groupings: a number of small Churches share the same staff.

4. Mission: the mission developed by the denomination goes where no local Church has gone, beginning Bible studies which eventually become a worship service.

B. Cells: communities within communities

1. Chapel: the new congregation reflects the doctrine of the mother Church, but its means of expression is very different.

2. Satellite: the Church recognizes a group not coming to the worship service; it plans a special place and service to meet the needs of the targeted people.

3. Mission: small, homogeneous groups are formed within the Church; they study the Bible in homes, responding thus to personal needs.

4. Home: Churches meet together in homes; it’s economical!

C. Buildings

1. Single: a building reserved only for Church

2. Multiple: a building reserved for something else, the Church using it on weekends

3. Shared: many Churches using the same building, at different hours.

4. Self-financed: the Church rents part of a building to pay for its own costs

D. Sponsors

1. Mother Church: A Church supports the birth of a daughter Church elsewhere.

2. Parent group: a group leaves the Church to support a daughter Church elsewhere.

3. Planned split: the Church divides into two according to a determined plan.

4. Partnership: Many Churches group to support a daughter Church

5. Denomination: The denomination plans the multiplication of local Churches.

Church Planting 2

III. The choice of a planting team

A. The mission force must make a long-range commitment.

1. To continually put the planting vision before the saints.

2. To seek and analyze various possibilities

3. To look for opportunities so that saints become parents

4. To mobilize the maximum amount of people in the planting strategy

5. To continually inform the Church of research and progress

6. To guide the Church toward wise planting decisions which please God

B. The team members should have certain characteristics.

1. They should have a missionary spirit.

2. They should be spiritually motivated.

3. They should have compassion for lost souls and be concerned for people.

4. They should be capable to do research and analyze data.

5. They should know how to work with a team.

6. They should be open to working a lot and hard.

7. They should be capable of leading.

8. They should be optimistic in the Spirit.

IV. The Choice of a Church Planting Location

A. Only the Holy Spirit can lead us to a place.

1. Bible study is part of the process.

2. We must ask God’s guidance in prayer.

B. Reflection, study, and dialogue are important.

1. What is the population of the targeted community?

2. What is the proportion of non-faithful[1] to faithful?

3. How has the community responded to other attempts to evangelize them?

4. What could be the impact of that community for God’s kingdom?

5. Is the community strategic for the growth of your denomination?

6. Could the community have an international impact for Christ?

7. Could the new community support itself in short period of time?

8. Which targeted places are near well-established local Churches which could support such an effort?

9. Which groups meeting together could be combined to make a Church?

10. Is there a core group of people gathering who want to start a Church?

11. Is there available personnel to go into the targeted regions?

Church Planting 3

V. The right strategy

A. Planting a new Church is easier than we usually think.

B. Forming the best Church planting strategy is much more difficult than we usually think..

C. Here are some important questions to ask about the planting strategy.

1. What type of Church do you want to plant? (not just the denomination)

2. What will be the philosophy of ministry of the new Church?

3. Will the Church resemble others in the denomination?

4. What other Churches have developed in the region? What is their philosophy of ministry?

5. The daughter Church reach out to what type of people? What is the targeted group?

6. What are the felt needs of the targeted group?

7. Are there other Churches responding to their needs?

8. What is the health of the mother Church?

VI. Twelve Steps to Plant Churches

A. Pray and Plan.

B. Develop a Church planting team.

C. Look for zones to reach.

D. Prepare the mother Church.

E. Cultivate the field.

1. Many Churches go too quickly and begin the worship service too early.

2. Bible study groups are a good way to break ground.

3. Cultivating aims at identifying the non-faithful.

4. Evangelistic visits are important.

F. Set up the meeting place and time.

1. Have a Bible study, prayer meeting, and fellowship.

2. There will be no sacraments given in the beginning.

G. Find a meeting place.

1. A home is adequate in the beginning.

2. Rent if you need a bigger place.

H. Begin official meetings.

1. Perhaps you will find a name to give an identity to the group.

2. Publicity at this point is very important.

I. Train leaders.

1. They will be sought during the whole process.

2. Now is the time to train them officially.

J. Set long-range goals for a permanent meeting place.

1. A research committee will find the place to buy.

K. Cultivate a spirit of multiplication.

1. Constantly remind the group that one day they will be a mother Church.

2. Look for leaders who will remain a long time.

L. Install the Church officially.

1. Develop a constitution.

2. Have a service of dedication where the founders sign the constitution.

3. Form a planting team for the daughter Churches

The Context of Church Growth

I. The decline of Western domination

A. The socio-economic changes

B. The birth of many independent nations

1. Most members of the U.N. are from the “third world.”

II. Pseudo-Christianity

A. Nominal Christians

B. Christian cults

C. Catholicism

D. Independent Churches

III. The Population Explosion

A. Third World: 5O% of the population is under 18 years of age.

B. China - 1,.OOO,OOO,OOO (one billion) inhabitants

C. India - 800,000,000 inhabitants, it will bypass China before 2010 if the growth rate continues.

D. A world of young people

E. The draining of our earthly resources: water, food, space, dwellings

F. The prediction we will reach 6 to 7 billion people before the Year 2OOO

IV. Urbanization

A. The world is streaming toward the big cities.

B. Unemployment, looting, disorientation, famine, lack of medical care, the loss of identity ...

V. Capitalism faced with socialism / communism

A. Capitalism is practically impossible in the Third World because it demands much experience (15O years of history in the U.S.), much capital, a considerable infrastructure, and management by mature people.

B. Socialism promises success by governmental planning and industrialization.

VI. The Arab Block

A. For the most part, they are Muslim countries, thus opposed to Christianity.

B. These countries have become very rich in a short period of time.

C. These countries consider African countries as their property.

VII.Ecumenism

A. The world leans toward one Church, one ecclesiastical organization, which emphasizes unity; doctrinal differences are overlooked.

B. This tendency devalues the Church’s mission and leans toward universalism which considers all men saved, but needing to be informed about their salvation.

C. Ecumenism is bound to fail because spiritual unity already exists and does not depend on a unity of organization without a good doctrinal foundation.

VIII.Education

A. The desire to have good training can be seen everywhere in the world, especially in developing countries.

B. We often discover that where there is a need for leaders, the education offered is not adapted to the demands of the society.

C. Education can sometimes be an agent of under-development.

Outlines to Discern in Church Growth

I. Three Types of Growth

A. Biological Growth (internal)

1. “Multiply and fill the earth.” Genesis 1:28

2. 25% of children belonging to Christian parents become Christians. Proverbs 22:6

B. Transfer Growth (internal)

1. The growth of a Church at the expense of another

2. The sheep stealing Church

C. Conversion Growth (external)

1. Non-believers accept Christ as their Lord and Savior.

2. This is regaining territory which Satan has occupied

II. The danger of obscure language

A. Evangelism

1. Presence

a) Non-verbal evangelism which consists of the presence of converts among non-converts.

2. Proclamation

a) Verbal evangelism which consists of proclaiming the Gospel to the unconverted, leaving the results to God.

3. Persuasion

a) Verbal evangelism which aims at the conversion of people and their follow-up as disciples of Jesus Christ.

B. “Work" - without specifying its nature

C. “Witness”

D. The accusation of "number worshipping" - having an exaggerated interest in numbers.

1. Is it more important to count money or people?

2. Is it biblical to count the results?

3. Is it more important to count activities or results of those activities?

E. Believers (see Luke 15:3-7)

1. Who do we need to count?

a) Those who attend the worship service?

b) Adults?

c) Baptized Christians and Church members?

2. The need to distinguish between promotion and diagnosis

F. Graphs - a visual image of growth

1. Vertical axis - number of members, attendees ...

2. Horizontal axis - passage of time, in months, in years ....

Causes of Church Growth

Introduction:

· Because of the spiritual nature of the Church, we do not insist on the causes of growth.

· In the final analysis, Church Growth is God’s matter. I Cor. 3:3-9

· "God makes the Church grow."

I. Characteristics of the Church in Good Heath (Wagner 1976:159)

A. The pastor - He is a dynamic and optimistic leader who guides his flock with enthusiasm so that the members commit themselves to projects which lead to continued spiritual growth.

B. The members - All are mobilized for growth. Strachan’s principle is in effect: “The expansion of any movement is in direct relationship to its ability to mobilize all its members in the constant propagation of its beliefs. (Strachan 1964:27,28).

C. The number of members (size) - It is big enough to meet the spiritual needs felt by those who attend the Church.

D. A balanced ministry

1. The Congregation - Celebration/worship "the crowd" (175 +)

2. Cells - the members know each others (20 -)

a) Limited groups where a person feels free to reveal himself

b) A person feels free to share very personal prayer requests.

E. Homogeneous membership - they feel an affinity for each other; they feel like a family.

F. A methodology - the Church has a plan to make disciples: evangelism and follow-up of new converts.

G. Priorities - They are determined by the Word of God

1. Commitment to Christ Matt. 6:33

2. Commitment to Christ’s body Jn 13:35; Gal. 6:10

3. Commitment to Christ’s work

a) Evangelistic mandate Matt. 28:18-20

b) Cultural mandate Gen. 1:28-30

II. Factors contributing to Church Growth

A. A full-time person is totally committed to Church planting.

B. A strategy is laid out which responds to the felt needs of the group.

C. Internal and external factors coincide to favor Church Growth.

D. Church Growth become an ideal belonging to all the members of the group.

E. The leaders trained are members of the group.

F. Spiritual revival creates a favorable atmosphere for Church Growth.

G. The Church emphasizes youth activities and discipleship of new converts (emphasis on training after baptism).

Causes of Church Decline

I. Obstacles to Church Growth

A. A conservative spirit resists any attempt to change.

B. A Church has a methodology for slight growth instead of significant growth.

C. The conditions of membership are too strict.

D. A Church continues to evangelize amongst a resistant people instead of emphasizing receptive people.

E. The academic level of the pastors is too high or too low with relationship to the members of the group. Ex: the impossibility of material support for well-trained pastors.

F. The pastor monopolizes the ministry and does not share it with others.

G. The Church has the conviction it must meet social needs before evangelizing.

H. There is a lack of spiritual food

I. There is racism

J. There is passivity on the pastor’s part

K. There is passivity on the members part

L. There is a lack of financial means

M. There is a lack of needed training

N. There is materialism

O. There are political conflicts (war)

P. There are cultural difficulties (language, customs)

Q. There are syncretism and cults

R. There is rationalism (intellectualism)

II. A Spiritual Summary of the Church in Zaire

· In June-July 1977, Dr. Donald McGavran did research and a report of 7 denominations of the Church of Christ in Zaire (ECZ), of which the CBZO, CEAZ, CADZ, CDCZ, CPZA, CEUM, and CPK were a part.

· There were conversations with leaders of other denominations also: CEFMZ, CBFZ, CEZ, CMZ, CMZC, and CMSZ.

A. Zaire is almost entirely "christianized"

1. Catholic 65% -Protestant 27% -Kimbanguist 7%

2. Most are nominal Christians, however.

3. The Church is in its 4^th phase of development: exploration, missionary stations, multiplication of churches, consolidation.

B. The evangelistic task is divided into 4 parts:

1. Evangelism of children

2. Evangelism of nominal Christians

3. Evangelism in the urban centers

4. Evangelism of unreached peoples (less than 20% Christian)

C. Zaire needs a Christian program for primary and secondary schools.

D. Zaire needs to print and distribute more Christian literature.

E. Zaire needs a closer collaboration between the mission and the denomination.

F. Zaire needs to establish a national system for measuring Church Growth: quantitative as well as qualitative growth.

G. Zaire needs to implement the principle of homogeneous units.

H. Zaire needs to communicate a deep faith in Christ.

Social Classes and Socio-Economic Advance

I. Social Classes and Church Growth

A. One factor which determines the dimensions of a homogeneous group is the social standing of its members.

B. Evangelism is more effective among the poor (low classes) than among the rich (upper or middle classes).

C. Among the social classes, evangelism has a tendency to go from the lower classes to the upper classes, instead of the reverse.

1. The upper class: the most difficult to evangelize

2. The middle class

3. The lower class: the easiest to evangelize

II. Redemption and Socio-Economic Lift

A. Socio-Economic Lift

1. Evangelism and Church Planting often go together with socio-economic improvement of the converts’ situation.

2. The converts climb from the lower social classes to the upper social classes.

B. Evangelism slows down because of socio-economic lift.

C. The problem

1. How do we evangelize and contribute to the social advance of a people, keeping at the same time contact with those who are most receptive to the Gospel?

2. There is a danger of putting too much importance on the nature of Christians and their spiritual growth, thus forgetting (neglecting) evangelism of the unconverted.

D. Causes of socio-economic lift

1. External causes - the mission

a) Outside aid

b) Dependency

c) The model has the ability to reproduce itself because of outside help.

2. Internal causes - the Church

a) The desire to improve one’s situation

b) Wesley’s solution: work diligently, save with wisdom, give generously

III. Leadership training

1. The Church and Apprenticeship - the case of Latin American Pentecostals

a) Open Air preaching

b) Preaching in institutions

c) Church planting

d) Collaborating with a pastor / mentor

e) Taking a final exam

f) Naming an assistant pastor

2. A theological seminary, a Bible institute

a) The level of training must be in relationship with the ability of the community to hire and support the candidate when he finishes his training.

Measuring and Evaluating Church Growth 1

I. The Church profile: data to gather

A. The local Church:

1. The number of baptized members

2. Average attendance at the worship service Sunday

3. Average attendance at Sunday School

4. The number of prayer cells

5. The number of leaders

6. The total of offerings given

7. The number of converts

B. Many Churches (a district, a community, an area, a region, a country)

1. The number of members (combined figures)

2. The number of Churches?

3. The number of preaching points

4. The number of prayer cells?

5. The number of pastors?

6. The number of evangelists?

7. The number of lay pastors, elders, and deacons?

II. The diagnostic period (10 years): we need statistics for 11 years.

A. Gather statistics for the membership over the past eleven years.

B. Draw points on a graph for each statistic.

C. Calculate the growth rate of your Church.

1. Annual Growth Rate (AGR)

a) Formula: the number of members from the current year minus the number of members from the past year divided by the numbers of members from the past year times 100 = % AGR

2. Decadal Growth Rate (DGR)

a) Formula: the number of members from the current year minus the number of members from 10 years ago divided by the number of members from 10 years ago times 100 = % DGR

b) Ex: 1986 - 300 members 1976 - 140 members

c) TCD: 300 -140 = 160 / 140 x 100 = 114.3%

D. Compare your Church Growth with the estimate of community biological growth

E. Perfect your means of gathering information and data.

Measuring and Evaluating Church Growth 2

F. Prepare a data form to gather needed statistics for your Church - look at the example in the I.S.E. course notes on evaluation.

1. The number of baptized members on 31/12/94

a) Totals to add (growth)

(1) The number of baptized 1995

(2) The number of members who transferred in

(3) The number of reintegrated members

b) Totals to subtract (decline)

(1) The number of deceased

(2) The number of members who transferred out

(3) The number of members under discipline

2. The number of baptized members on 31/12/95

G. Analyze the growth of your Church

1. Why the growth?

2. Why the decline?

3. Why the plateaus? (no growth or decline)

4. Past errors to correct

5. Factors

a) Relative to the national context

b) Relative to the local context

c) Institutional factors of the national Church

d) Institutional factors of the local Church

III. Goal Setting Phil. 3:13,14

A. Conditions to meet:

1. Prayer - setting goals in an attitude of prayer

2. Faith - reaching those goals depends entirely on God.

3. Reality - taking into account the current situation - we need goals which can be met.

B. Steps to follow

1. Begin with a careful study of the diagnostic period (the last ten years) following the seven steps above.

2. Use a graph showing the last five years and projecting five years into the future.

3. First note the estimate for the biological growth projected for the next five years.

4. Fix your goals for the next five years.

5. Evaluate your progress at the end of each year.

6. Perfect your research, using other graphs to measure attendance at the worship service, attendance in prayer cells, the number of conversions, offerings, etc. ....

[1] The non-faithful are those who do not go to Church.