TOPIC: THE FEATURES OF A GROWING CHURCH

BIBLE STUDY BY REV MBOSOWO USANGA AT THE LCN WESTERN DIOCESAN CONVENTION

TEXT: Acts 2:42-47

Other Readings: Ephesians 4:12-13; Matthew 28:18-20; Ephesians 1:22-23; 1^st Corinthians 3:5-9

 

INTRODUCTION:

Although the Bible does not specifically list the features of a growing church, reducing this topic into a Bible study will lead us to understanding that Jesus said, “I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it” (Matthew 16:18). In 1^st Corinthians 3:11; Paul confirmed that the church has its foundation in Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is also the head of the church (Ephesians 1:18-23). We will also consider the fact that since Christ has asked Christians; who are the church, to go and make disciples; to multiply, it means that God desires growth, and growth is an essential characteristic of any living thing, be it an organization or organism.

 

DEFINITIONS:

Features: the structure, form, or appearance especially of a person. But in this study, it will be of a church

Growing: process of flourishing, increasing, developing, getting bigger.

Church: derived from the Greek word “ekklesia” meaning the “called out”. So in this study, we shall consider the church as a body of people, and not a building or denomination.

 

Food for thought:

Considering our definitions, I would have just stopped and say that, with respect to our topic, we should just take a look at our church, and we will see the features of a growing church, then we will either discuss or conclude. But not everyone will see it my way, so we have to listen, and ask questions where necessary.

 

I always like my lecture or Bible study to be focused and to fulfill a purpose. So I will ask, why do you think this topic is necessary? Is there a problem to be solved or is it just for knowledge to be gained? That brings me to my own idea which we would be working with.

 

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

This Bible study, according to my understanding is out to address the debatable idea that the LCN, especially the Western Diocese seems not to be growing, and we need to know what the features of a growing church is, so that we can be sure if we are growing or not. Also, it is to point us to the fact that some churches, and in this context; denominations, seems to, but might not really be growing.

 

A church can be alive and growing even though the number of members/attendees is not changing. If the word of God is taught and preached in it’s purity, and the sacraments are properly administered, and if those in the church are growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus, submitting to His will for their lives, both individually and corporately, then that church is experiencing true growth. At the same time, a church can be adding to its rolls weekly, have huge numbers, gather large offering, and still be spiritually stagnant. 

 

The above point gives us an understanding that there are different areas of growth, which could classified into physical and spiritual growth. The physical could be centered on things such a numbers, finance, buildings, equipment etc, while the spiritual will have to do with stronger and more cordial relationship with God, understanding of the scriptures, study, prayers, partaking in the sacraments etc.

 

According to Donald McGavran, there are 3 major types of growth that can occur in a given church. They are:

1. Biological: from natural offsprings
2. Transfer growth: members from one denomination or branch to another
3. Conversion growth: when lost souls are brought to Christ

 

 

THE CHURCH GROWTH MOVEMENT

Before trying to list some of the features of a growing church, I will like us to briefly consider what is known as the Church Growth Movement. It is a movement within the Evangelical Christianity which aims to grow churches based on research, sociology, analysis etc. it was started by Donald McGavran, with the goal of understanding how to share Christianity in a culturally appropriate way, given the changing climate in the United States. His idea was that, as Christians, there is a need to understand the culture of the people we are trying to reach. That we cannot simply enter a completely different culture. We must seek to understand that culture, and present the gospel in a culturally relevant way. Example was drawn from Paul’s mission work in Acts 15, which dealt with the Jews in relation with the Gentiles who were working towards becoming Christians. As Lutherans, we agree with this concept to this point, but when it went astray; by becoming overly simplified into a series of formulas for church growth, we thought it wise to stick to the fact that God is the one who brings about growth.

 

SOME FEATURES OF A GROWING CHURCH

At this juncture, we shall consider certain ideas from different authors and personalities, before we summarize with the scriptures.

According to Chris Railey’s article on influencemagazine.com, the following are appearances or forms of a growing church. I added Bible references to it:

1. Expand the possibilities for participation (Matt. 11:28;, Matt. 28:19-20; Isa. 55:1): not lowering the standard for salvation but lowering barrier for entry
2. Create a system for reproducing leaders (2^nd Timothy 2:2): churches grow when there are people that can continue and hold the fort for leaders.
3. Make hospitality a priority (Matt. 11:28; John 6:37; Heb. 13:5; John 16:33): makes people stay and come back
4. Are comfortable in chaos (Matt. 26:31; ACTS 6:7): growth is change and change is hard and it comes with chaos which must be well managed.
5. See opportunities where others see problems (Job 22:29; Acts 6:1-7; John 12:32): this follows from the last one. This happens for example, if there is a problem with youth migration, which is making the choir unstable, then it calls for an opportunity to start a children choir or an alternative group instead of panicking.
6. Solve problems quickly (Eph. 4:26): having an understanding that sometimes solving problems quickly is giving time for some wounds to heal.
7. Cultivating a culture for growth (Acts 1:8): from your statements, mode of relating with people, setting up structures and organizing events must allow space for growth because no matter how clear you are about your vision, and how passionate you are about growth, you may never see it to fruition if you do not make conscious space for it.

Other authors and individuals I have studied, agree with most of these points, so I would not bother listing others, but I’ll just throw in few points.

 

John Macarthur, who is an expert in healthy Church growth listed these features:

1. Leaders are godly
2. They have functional goals and objectives
3. They are into discipleship
4. They must penetrate the community
5. Have active church members
6. Concern for one another
7. Devotion to family
8. Bible teaching and preaching
9. A willingness to change
10. Great faith
11. Sacrifice
12. Worship God

 

According to Rick Warren: “there is a five-part strategy for healthy church growth. This strategy will enable any church to grow warmer through fellowship, deeper through discipleship, stronger through worship, broader through ministry, and larger through evangelism.” From this we can pick out some unique features of a growing church. They are:

1. A growing church have good fellowship
2. A growing church worship the right way
3. A growing church engages in ministry
4. A growing church engages in evangelism.

 

Now we shall pick some features from our text Acts 2:42-47

1. Devotion to true doctrine (v. 42)
2. Devotion to fellowship not just meeting (v. 42,44,45)
3. Devotion to true worship (v. 46)
4. Devotion to the sacraments (v. 46)
5. Devotion to prayer (v. 42)
6. Devotion to praising God (v. 47)

We can see that all the features listed by experts can be summarized in Acts 2:42-47.

 

BACK TO OUR FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Let me approach it this way; with the story of the Chinese bamboo tree which I’ve heard over the years and from writings, is confirmed to be true.

“The story of the Chinese bamboo tree is true and is as follows: This particular tree has a seed that is so hard that when planted, it will do nothing for almost five years. Nothing happens in the first year or the second, not the third or the fourth. You have to water and care for that seed all those years, seeing no results from your labor. That is, until the fifth year.

In the fifth year, the seed breaks through the soil and begins to grow into a tree. And grow, it does. In fact, the Chinese bamboo tree has been recorded at growing upwards of 3 feet a day, almost 90 feet in about a month. You can literally stand there and watch it shoot up! (It has actually been timed at approximately one inch of growth every 40 minutes.)” (bobgarneronline.com)

CONCLUSION:

Sometimes that’s how a growing church is. Something is happening underneath the earth, away from the eyes and senses of men and experts. If we think that everything must be seen and experienced, we might work away and conclude that we are not a growing church. But I believe that if we have the most important things in place: the word and sacraments, coupled with people who are ready to let God use them, we can be growing without knowing. And at the right time, the growth will be empirical. Eyes shall see and ears shall hear. This happens when we rely on God, the one who causes the growth.

So as a church, we should consider these features listed in this study, check ourselves and make sure we do those things on our part, that is necessary for growth. We cannot be lazy, uncaring, negligent of our responsibilities, indifferent towards true doctrine, worship, evangelism and missions, grieving the Holy Spirit, and still expect to manifest the features of a growing church. If we manage to grow in such a circumstance, we can all agree with me that such growth is unhealthy and is not from God, and it will sooner or later decompose.

Can we still see any feature of a growing church in the LCN? And do you still think we are growing?