In the first century, followers of Jesus Christ formed small communities committed to the gospel. Disciples who knew Jesus shared their stories and lived how Jesus demonstrated before them. The earliest churches called teams to go abroad and bring this gospel to new communities. Likewise, they worshiped together daily in anticipation of the coming of the Lord.
Today many churches adopt strategies to grow their congregation. Some of these are just fundamental acts of repentance and revival that bring the congregation back in line with their original aims. Others rely on books or consultants who advise on ways churches can overcome obstacles and achieve their goals.
When churches follow the model of the early church as admonished by Jesus and the apostles they experience authentic growth. Treasure Path Ministries is dedicated to helping churches follow a biblical model to grow that is not focused on self-serving metrics, but on building the Kingdom of God by making disciples and reaching the lost in our communities around the world. Today as then, soul-winning churches are committed to the gospel and their growth is distinguished by common commitments.
Church Growth through Preaching
A church that emphasizes the responsibility of every born-again believer to preach the good news to every person will be filled with maturing members. This model of sharing the gospel and growing together is called discipleship. It is the way Jesus reached so many throughout his ministry. More mature Christians commit themselves to sharing life with others then bringing them along in the faith.
There is a place for going out and compelling the lost to come into the Kingdom. It is far more than going out and handing out pamphlets. This kind of preaching is not about clever arguments or provocative confrontation. It references a boldness many find familiar today that overcomes the fear of rejection and humiliation to save our lost and enslaved neighbors.
This is preaching through a changed life that demonstrates the power of the gospel to redeem a hopeless sinner and willing spirit that is in tune with the Spirit of God and filled with His word so sinners are drawn to ask for and receive the good news in season. It comes from a born-again believer who is committed to hiding God’s word in their heart.
Church Growth through Prayer
A church that prays, as Jesus taught his followers to pray, has a perspective informed by the will of God and His Kingdom on earth. Prayer is essential for God’s people and learning how, when, and why we pray is passed on from more mature to nascent believers. When prayer is an afterthought relegated to a back room or squeezed into convenient slots in the programming the church misses out on a necessary component of corporate worship.
Corporate prayer demonstrates the intentional submission and recognition of dependence of the congregation before God and each other. Personal prayer modeled by mature believers and encouraged through teaching and testimony brings individual believers in line with God’s will. Intercessory prayer connects believers with the needs of fellow believers.
It is natural for busyness, burdens, and bitterness to present barriers to praying this way. Many of our traditions that once nurtured healthy prayer lives among believers are no longer part of our liturgy. Praying believers who boldly ask how they can pray for others and offer to pray with others are ambassadors for the Kingdom. Praying churches who dedicate themselves to corporate prayer and praise are healthy communities changing lives.
Church Growth through Perseverance
A church that perseveres through uncertainty and opposition is stronger and closer as an organization and community. Circumstances within the church and in our world make ministry increasingly challenging. Ministry models designed to tackle particular issues promise remedy that proves temporary. Perseverance comes from faith anchored to and founded upon Jesus Christ and his promises.
Persevering through challenges requires a faith anchored in Christ. Like a ship at sea is blown by winds from different directions and tossed by waves, churches face powerful forces out of their control that push them off course. Sometimes they find it necessary to drop their anchor and hold on tight to remain on course. Persevering through changes requires a firm foundation. During a deluge the water may wash away things on the surface, but a house built on a foundation established down upon the bedrock stands its ground.
Churches committed to the primacy of scripture and the mission of Jesus persevere through tough times to stand as havens. In uncertain times people run to established entities. Likewise, people who follow fads or go with the crowd at other times will come back to what they know is timeless and true.
Be a Growing Church
The mission of the church is to reach the community with the gospel of Christ and make disciples. Through preaching, prayer, and perseverance churches will grow into the strong and reliable beacons for truth his world needs. From the first century to today, churches that model their ministry on Jesus’ example of faithful discipleship impact their community in ways that draw hurting people.
Be a growing church!