|
What constitutes biblical church growth? How should pastors and church leaders try to grow churches? Should we even be concerned with church growth?
There are numerous books, articles, videos, and audios available today on the subject of church growth. Pastors and church leaders are bombarded with a large array of resources and models that promise "rapid" church growth, "easy" church growth, "massive" church growth, and the like. How should a pastor and church sort through church growth ideas and church growth models? Should pastors and churches even be concerned with church growth?
Jesus Drew Crowds
A historical look at the birth of Christianity should make something pretty clear: Jesus drew crowds. It is hard to justify a 'small church' mentality when looking at the example of Jesus. Of course, Jesus did surround himself with a smaller group of devoted followers, with whom he spent the most time. Yet Jesus didn't remain in this small group setting. On the contrary, he continually reached out -- speaking with and ministering to as many people as he could in Judeo-Palestine.
The Jerusalem Church: From 120 to 3,120
Following the ascension of Jesus, the remaining eleven of his primary disciples and those in Jesus' extended circle of confidantes and followers gathered together in an "upper room" (Acts 1:12-13) to pray.
When the day of Pentecost came, the writer of Acts records that the Holy Spirit descended on the followers of Christ in "tongues of fire" and with a "mighty wind" (Acts 2:1-3). When this incredible and supernatural event happened, it attracted quite a crowd - and gave the apostle Peter a dramatic opportunity to stand up publicly and be counted as a follower of Christ (an opportunity he failed to take on the night of Jesus' trial).
Following Peter's sermon, the writer of Acts reports that "about 3,000 souls" were incorporated into the new Jerusalem church - the "church" being the fellowship of believers in and followers of Jesus Christ.
The Spread of Christianity
The remainder of Acts lays out the rapid spread of Christianity from Jerusalem through Judea and Samaria and into the Graeco-Roman world. This spread was powered by Jesus' primary disciples, especially Peter and John, and Jesus' half-brother, James, who became the leader of the Jerusalem church. And then came Paul, the most prolific pen of the first century Christian community and one of the most committed missionaries in the history of Christianity.
Lesson in Growth
The clear lesson from the life of Christ and the book of Acts (a lesson fueled by the epistles) is that the church is to be constantly expanding - constantly on the move. And that its impact should not be restricted to formal church services, but rather to the community itself, even to the point of reaching families "house to house."
A local church that withdraws into closed-door legalism, "Comfort Zone" complacency, or elitist judgmentalism is a church outside of God's will. This is not to suggest that a church shouldn't stand for truth or practice sound doctrine. Both are clearly part of God's mandate for the church.
The biblical model for a church is a church that actively and passionately ministers to both the physical and spiritual needs of those around it -- especially, of course, the spiritual needs. Such a church should desire to grow -- not for its own glory or satisfaction, but because of its love for God and the people within its reach.
So, how is your church doing?
*The above article is a commentary, written from an evangelical perspective. Readers are welcome to post any questions, concerns, or objections in the discussion forum.
The copyright of the article What Is Biblical Church Growth? in Protestantism is owned by Brian Tubbs. Permission to republish What Is Biblical Church Growth? in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
Comments
Jan 31, 2008 11:11 AM
Michael Heitman :
After reading Brian Tubbs' article on Church Growth, I was reminded of a misconception about all of the "crowds" that we see with Jesus in the Gospels. Jesus did not seek out the crowds, the crowds sought Him. As Brian stated, Jesus spent most of His time with the few devoted disciples. People were attracted to Him by the things they saw and heard Him do and so when He did stop to speak, the crowds followed. The models of the early church all point to smaller gatherings, not regular gatherings of thousands. I think this misunderstanding of the Scriptures has been used to validate the Mega Church model which is so popular today. I would argue that the most effective model is a smaller church that is growing and therefore constantly planting other churches.
Feb 1, 2008 8:09 AM
Brian Tubbs :
I agree that a small church (and I define "small" as under 250 or so) planting other churches is every bit as significant and/or as 'valid' (if that's the right word) as a church that itself grows to several thousand members. In fact, as you point out, the small church planting other churches is - in some ways - better. A large church can become complacent in its size and prideful in its numbers. Not a good thing.
Feb 1, 2008 8:20 AM
Migisi :
.
<i>the small church planting other churches is - in some ways - better.</i>
.
Is there competition between churches? A tendancy to want to outshine, or outdo, each other? I assume there's not supposed to be, as all are 'brothers', but does this competition exist?
.
How does one church 'plant' another one? Does the planted one become a 'branch' of the first?
Feb 1, 2008 8:59 AM
Pink :
.
Churches don't compete much with each other.
.
The way Baptist churches have grown, historically, has to do with a faction splitting off for some doctrinal or other dispute with the old stream. Maybe the splinter group didn't like the old preacher? For a while, there may be some tension; but, generally, not for long. Pretty soon, a group from the old church will visit the new church to show their solidarity in some way.
.
They start up a new church that grows because it is new blood while the old church maintains itself and gradually gets back to its original size. Then, it splits again on some new issue.
.
And, on and on.
.
The seeds drop off and new growth pops up; but, never far from the parent church. I think other protestant churches grow the same way. First Presbyterian, Second, Third, Etc. .
.
Feb 1, 2008 5:01 PM
Brian Tubbs :
There's friendly competition, which can be a healthy way to keep people accountable to goals. And then there's the unhealthy kind that leads to pride, selfishness, etc. - and that is certainly condemned in the Bible.
As for planting, that's just a term. It just means that one church helps start another church.
Feb 1, 2008 5:02 PM
Brian Tubbs :
This is often true, but not always. Quite often, churches spin off or "plant" or start (whatever verb / term you prefer) other churches by design. This is, in fact, encouraged by many congregations.
Feb 1, 2008 5:19 PM
Pink :
.
Usually, when churches help found others by design, the others are most often ethnic or in some depressed area.
.
Feb 1, 2008 6:40 PM
redback :
Me...I count funny. I thought 4,5 6 or more local parishes = one church. We have a mega church here by one idea...the Hillsong...but it'd be probably unkind to expect all churches to catch up to the TV-ready brand Hillsong style productions...and unkind to expect those who get their message from Hillsong to find it in older, far quieter versions. There's a preacher here who uses rooms at the pub. The ones who tolerate the homeless and those who actively seek them...about comfort zones.
If one parish has a boring pastor and another one has one as dynamic as Brian for example, do they regularly swap or share services...rather than compete.
There's any number of ways to increase church vitality and tis a fact of life nowadays, their coffers need to keep being filled. I think the current fella just up the road has a paying day job...a lifetime ago, the church could pay. Of course, others like the Pope are scraping by.
Feb 2, 2008 9:14 AM
Migisi :
.
<i>Of course, others like the Pope are scraping by. </i>
.
Hee hee. 'Scraping by'. You're funny. :)
Feb 2, 2008 9:24 AM
Migisi :
.
Thanks for the helpful answers, Pink and Bri. As you know, I come from a RC background. The dioceses 'plants' churches, establishes parish borders, and assigns priests. No factional splitting over doctrine allowed... that's a protest-ant concept. (wink)
.
So, who's ~your~ friendly competition, Bri? What makes those churches different or better than yours?
Feb 2, 2008 9:35 AM
Pink :
.
Which one has the richest and most generous farmer?
.
Feb 2, 2008 12:40 PM
Brian Tubbs :
Well, not to be 'politically correct,' but the truth is that we ultimately compete with ourselves. That's how we should look at it. Are we being the best that WE can be?
Feb 3, 2008 10:04 AM
Migisi :
.
<i>Which one has the richest and most generous farmer?</i>
.
With the guiltiest conscience. Hee hee. Indulgences can't be purchased anymore, can they?
.
Just for fun:
"In 1517, Pope Leo X made a Dominican monk named Johann Tetzel commissioner of indulgences for all Germany. The Vatican was in dire need of money to pay for its extravagant building and art projects. Tetzel soon toured around the country selling papal indulgences to the masses. He created a little rhyme which translates as "When a coin in coffer rings, a soul from purgatory springs." Tetzel is famous (or infamous) for having even created a chart documenting how much it would cost to receive an indulgence for various sins, and even boasted that the indulgences he sold could secure forgiveness for the heinous sin of violating the Virgin Mary. An indulgence is simply a pardon of the temporal punishment due for sins committed. In other words, a person who purchased an indulgence would supposedly escape the punishment merited by his sin."
http://preachingthepossible.blogspot.com/2007/03/al-gore-is-he-follower-of-tetzel.html
Feb 3, 2008 10:09 AM
Migisi :
.
<i>...compete with ourselves... Are we being the best that WE can be? </i>
.
The 'best' - in what way?
Feb 4, 2008 7:23 AM
Brian Tubbs :
You're familiar with the parable of the talents in Matthew 25? I want to make sure - and I'm encouraging our congregation to do likewise - that I/we not leave any talents buried in the ground.
15 Comments
|
