UNDERSTANDING CHURCH GROWTH
26He also said, "This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. 27Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. 28All by itself the soil produces grain--first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. 29As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come." Mark 4:26-29 (NIV)
5Who is Apollos, and who is Paul, that we should be the cause of such quarrels? Why, we’re only servants. Through us God caused you to believe. Each of us did the work the Lord gave us. 6My job was to plant the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God, not we, who made it grow. 7The ones who do the planting or watering aren’t important, but God is important because he is the one who makes the seed grow. 8The one who plants and the one who waters work as a team with the same purpose... 1 Corinthians 3:5-9 (NLT)
Church growth, how can we understand it? As we read in the above Bible passages we quickly discover that the first step of church growth is … GOD! But we thnk we can do better. We have technology. We make things grow… Genetically modified foods. But who wants to eat them? Mark 6 passage tells us nobody knows really how the kingdom of God grows, like the seed it just grows ALL BY ITSELF. All we have do it seems is go for the harvest, as soon as the grain is ripe. The Apostle Paul understood this principle as he wrote in I Cor. 3 passage. It is God who makes things grow, he is the one who makes the seed grow. God’s the one who is important. The key thing for us to do according to this passage is work as a team. Some of us are called to plant and some to water – for one purpose and we all say “go team!”
Look in the Bible - No one will argue that in Acts 2, church growth exploded into history.
1When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues[1] as the Spirit enabled them.
5Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. 7Utterly amazed, they asked: "Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans? 8Then how is it that each of us hears them in his own native language? 9Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11(both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs--we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!" 12Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, "What does this mean?"
13Some, however, made fun of them and said, "They have had too much wine.[2] "
The church appeared in history with no megachurch to learn from, with no programs for youth, small groups, formal schooling, or seminars, no praise band, no overhead projectors, hymn books, choirs, robes, no church staff, no buildings, no assets - only God to depend on. The church began only when God did something, can u see how God causes the seed to grow? and when people came and say “go team” – and when this mix of ingredients was just right - He blew people away with the moving of His Spirit.
1. ITS GOTTA BE GOD!
Implication: if we want to see the church grow, it’s gotta be God doing it. We gotta understand it is up to God to grow the church. Church growth is not our doing, it’s gotta be a god thing – God’s moving by His Spirit. So what do we do? We need to have faith that God is bigger than what we can think or imagine. We need to trust that God can do mighty things, and can fill us with His Spirit. If we have not asked for God to move, or for God to fill us with His Spirit, it’s time to do so. It’s time to worship God, to declare the wonders of God. Time to really believe, time to say “God only You can make this church grow” and confess the many times we have tried to get things done in our won strength. we need folks who have waited on God’s sovereign timing and as a result of seeking to hear from Him begin to speak with…
2. RELEVANT LEADERSHIP: We need leaders who know God’s Word and how to apply it to current events.
14Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: "Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. 15These men are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning!
As we see further in Acts 2:14-15, there needs to be relevant leadership – look - Peter stood up with the eleven to address the crowd. Not one guy, don’t miss this! It’s a team with the eleven! Leadership team that’s connected to God and speaks to real live issues of the day. So Peter says: “Let me explain this you” Why? As God moved, we can see the reaction of the people: people were bewildered, utterly amazed, perplexed, some are critical and cracked jokes at what God is doing. They asked: What does this mean (V.12)? Commenting on the current events of the day, the leaders spoke… Can u see those outside the church need explanation about what God is doing. Implication: church growth is a result of the Word being applied to current realities through relevant leadership. As in 1 Cor.3 passage God used relevant leaders such as Apollos and Paul. Here we see God using Peter and the Eleven.
3. SALVATION: The purpose of God is to rescue people from judgment.
16No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17" ’In the last days, God says,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions,
your old men will dream dreams.
18Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
and they will prophesy.
19I will show wonders in the heaven above
and signs on the earth below,
blood and fire and billows of smoke.
20The sun will be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood
before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.
21And everyone who calls
on the name of the Lord will be saved.’
No.1 reason for church growth – for God to fill His people with His Spirit, for God to do something and bring in relevant leadership is as v.21 says - so that people, anyone, everyone, who calls on the Lord who turns to Him can be saved from the righteous and holy judgment of God. The reason for God to move the way He did, is not merely to demonstrate power but to give people hope. That things do not have to end tragically. That God will cover up all their shame and can stand unashamed in the presence of God. This is the point of God’s desire for the church to grow – so that anyone can come to know there is such a thing as mercy. God’s extending grace to anyone who turns around and follow Him. Implication: Church can grow because no one can be turned away if they come to Him. Everyone is accepted if they call to Him. I was at Canada Place to watch the iMAX version of Stars Wars Episode 2 and the price of admission was steep $14 and to pay for the whole family to go in for it, wow! With God, I don’t have to figure out if I have $14, the price admission is paid for!
The KEY to this price admission -
4. JESUS OF NAZARETH: It’s all about Jesus life, death and resurrection!.
22"Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. 23This man was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men,[4] put him to death by nailing him to the cross. 24But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. 25David said about him:
" ’I saw the Lord always before me.
Because he is at my right hand,
I will not be shaken.
26Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
my body also will live in hope,
27because you will not abandon me to the grave,
nor will you let your Holy One see decay.
28You have made known to me the paths of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence.’[5]
29"Brothers, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. 30But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. 31Seeing what was ahead, he spoke of the resurrection of the Christ,[6] that he was not abandoned to the grave, nor did his body see decay. 32God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact. 33Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. 34For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said,
" ’The Lord said to my Lord:
"Sit at my right hand
35until I make your enemies
a footstool for your feet." ’[7]
36"Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ."
Through a real person, God has made Himself known. In the recent weeks we heard of the discovery of an ossuary or a burial funeral box that is believed to belong to James the brother of Jesus. That created some excitement. Because it was the first archaeological evidence of Jesus’ existence, it created excitement in whole field of archaeology.
Well, the people of Acts 2 did not need a burial box to get excited, they saw firsthand the stuff Jesus did “Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know.”
Further more, we do need that box as evidence, we have the empty tomb of Jesus as evidence. No body, no bones, hence no box is needed for Jesus! It was the resurrection of Jesus that became the clincher attesting to God’s trustworthiness and faithfulness guaranteeing there’s a power greater than death.
This means - I don’t need to be anxious about death, after-life, or if there’s a heaven. No fear! God rules! So in our world we need not fear the likes of Osama Bin Laden, or Saddam Hussein, who threatens death. Because death has no hold on us according to the power that’s in the Resurrected Jesus. Implication: the church can grow when it can conquer the fear of death and be sure God is there to greet us home. The church grows when it shows up with hope in a dying world! Question - Is the church sure about the resurrection of Jesus? Is the church then worshipping Jesus as Lord and Christ, the Messiah?
5. CONVICTION: There was heart-felt conviction.
37When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?"
When I drive my car, I like to put it into cruise control, enjoy the scenery, go at my own dictated pace, let the world pass by… unless there are dangerous curves, obstacles, slow-moving truck. But I won’t change until I sense danger of a crash. I won’t change until in I am more than convinced if I don’t change course I’ll be in a car crash, see my limbs horribly twisted in a bloody mess. The people who heard Peter’s message sense the danger of a crash. They know they will be in twisted horrible mess and they responded to get clear away from such a tragedy. Implication: Church can grow once there is a real experience of heart-felt need to change the direction of one’s life. That’s God area not yours or mine. John 16:8 says: “ 8And when he comes, he will convince the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment.”
6. SEPARATION: There was clear cut indication of separation from the world with baptism.
38Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off--for all whom the Lord our God will call." 40With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." 41Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
Repentance is far more than being sorry or guilty for something. The word repentance in the original Greek is deeper and richer than just that. It speaks of turning away from sin, darkness, idols, habits, bondages and demons both private and public. It speaks of transformation, not information. It speaks of change, a whole new direction in life that occurs inside and out. Ultimately it speaks of repeated turnings away from the powers of death and the grip of death, so that death no longer grips the heart or has the last word. The first followers of Jesus called for more than just a changed intellectual position they call for a new birth, a born again experience. Baptism is public demonstration and confession of repentance, turning away from everything that’s against God, and to live for Him alone. Coming up from the water to new life. There will be a completely new set of priorities. Hence a repentant faith then is turning from hopelessness to hope, from distrust to trust, hate to love, fear to courage, from guilt to forgiveness, from self to God. Baptism then signifies that change, a separation has taken place, a turning around from death to new life. Implication: church can grow when there is a clear cut evidence such as public sign of baptism and life-change to turn around to God’s purposes.
7. TRANSFORMATION: There was clear indication of behavioural change.
Look at Acts 2:42-47 - There is clear reordering of their lives has discernible or obvious results–enjoy the favor of all the people!
42They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Did u see that? Look then at how God brought the growth. As the people planted the seed of devotion (v.42) the seed of giving, the seed of meeting together, the seed of worship, practiced it by watering it on a daily basis, God-stuff happens and true worship breaks out resulting in more than just random acts of kindness but intentional acts of kindness, people felt enjoyment – felt cared for – felt something good – felt God is doing something. Real God-like change and love experienced! Contrast that to this:
Friday, Nov.15, 2002 on the globe and mail it was reported - Lewiston, Maine — A preacher led a group in shredding copies of Harry Potter books on the eve of the release of the movie "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets."
"I feel like I’m in a cutting mood tonight," the preacher told 30 supporters before bringing out the scissors.he had wanted to burn the Potter books in protest, but the city would not issue him a permit. He settled for the book-chopping party Thursday night at the Ramada Inn."It’s no secret that I enjoy what I’m doing right now," Rev. Taylor said, ripping up a book. About 25 Harry Potter fans waved signs in a counter-protest outside the hotel. One of them, wearing a black trench coat and sporting an orange-and-pink mohawk, went inside and told Rev. Taylor, "You shouldn’t be cutting it up. It’s a kid’s book." Rev. Taylor charges the Potter books were full of witchcraft and pagan religion."You get involved in this," he said, gesturing toward a Potter book. "It’s gonna make you dirty." Can u just feel the love in the air? Can you sense they are “enjoying the favor of all the people”? Is this the way to go, church, go and rip books apart? Are we called to be book-choppers or to incite mob behavior? Or are we called to demonstrate the love of God as we give and share our time, our homes, our food, our songs?
8. FRUSTRATION: Growth Brings Tension.
In Acts 6:1 1In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.
A story: I was sitting in the waiting room of the hospital after my wife had gone into labor when the nurse walked out and said to a man sitting there, "Congratulations sir, you’re the new father of twins!" The man replied, "How about that! I work for the Minnesota Twins baseball team."
About an hour later, the same nurse entered the waiting room and announced that Mrs. Smith had just had triplets. Mr. Smith stood up and said, "Well, how do ya like that, I work for 3M!"
When the nurse appeared next, she told the third man that his wife had given birth to quadruplets. "That’s amazing! I work for the Four Seasons Hotel!"
At this point the gentleman sitting next to me let out a little strangled gasp and hurriedly got up, obviously distraught. When I asked him if he was okay, he explained, "I think I need a breath of fresh air." The man continued, "I’m the casting director for 101 Dalmatians."
How would u like to see 101 new baby Christians in church? My suspicion is we will be delighted and at the same time overwhelmed. Growth can bring problems. We will let out a strangled gasp and be distraught too just like in Acts 6:1. How can we care for 101 new Christians? Those who are mothers know how difficult it is to care for one newborn, the messy stuff of motherhood, where there’s little time for yourself, changing of messy diapers, feeling of never being able to lose the weight you gained. Implication: Are we prepared for wading into messy situations. I think we can if we remember GIBC’s motto: helping people to have a heart for God and for others. If we remember why we do what we do.
For most of his life, Hudson Taylor was haunted and depressed both by his desire to see the Chinese saved and his fear of responsibility. In many instances, he trusted God for what at the time were remarkable requests: In 1881, he asked for another 70 missionaries within three years, and he got 76. In 1886, he requested another 100 within the year and got 102.
Sometimes, Taylor’s fears were realized: some missionaries resigned exhausted; others lost their faith; others lost their lives, some to disease, some to violence. Despite moments of sterling faith, Taylor struggled with fits of severe depression his whole life.
Yet when he died, in 1905, Protestant mission agencies in China had nearly 4,000 missionaries and counted some 200,000 converts. A success of this magnitude required the heroic sacrifices of thousands in China as well as Western supporters. But it also required one man to take up a work which, humanly speaking, was simply impossible. Can u see how growth in the church is not all sweetness? It’s tension, pressure but it’s worth it all because lives are saved and changed.
Today, Research shows 65% of churches have plateaued in their numerical growth.
Churches are faced with many challenges. Canada’s social structure has changed as we hear from recent Stats Can figures, the traditional family is losing ground and there are more single lonely and broken people. I.e. there are some clear needs out there that the church if it can lived up to Acts 2 can meet and churches need to adapt to meet the needs of their communities. But many have not kept pace with the modern world. Consider the following results of research conducted by Outreach Canada’s staff.
Stage of Growth Percent of Evangelical Churches
Initial Formation 10%
Maximum Efficiency 10%
Plateaued 65%
Declining 10%
Disintegration 5%
The figures show 80% of churches are in serious trouble. We have to remember that early church of Acts 2 faded away. None of their structures, practices, songs, traditions survived – that’s good other wise I will be in sandals and robes, speaking in Greek but the same Spirit of God is still here, and He calls us to be relevant. All by itself the seed grows, but will we be there to harvest it? Will we work as a team, as one plants and one waters but God is the one who makes the seed grow? Today let us welcome the tension that growth brings. It’ll be messy. Do we dare wade into the tensions growth brings – do we go to where God will leads us to depend on Him more?
