Principles Of Church Growth Introduction

by HYDON, G.M. | Category: Principles Of Church Growth | Jan 2002

Growth is good

"Growth is good" might even be a motto for Christians. It is consistent with God's repeated statements about the general increase in world population.(1) It is also in line with God's narrower objective for His chosen people, for to Abraham He confirmed His promise that his descendants should be innumerable.(2) It is also in accord with the expectations of Christian disciples, for Jesus their Lord said that a sign of their allegiance to Him should be bearing 'fruit'.(3) Whatever else we might understand by the analogy of fruit bearing, we should see in it numerical increase in offspring that bear a resemblance to the original. We should look for both of these characteristics, volume and quality, as we explore in this series principles about such fruit bearing in churches of God.

You can read in the Old Testament about the meeting between the Israelite king Joash and the aged and dying prophet Elisha. Joash might well have been concerned about the future of the kingdom and its ability to withstand enemy attacks.(4) Would it be sustained and strong? Elisha was disappointed with the limited way in which Joash responded to his words; he said the same limitation would apply in Joash's campaigns against the enemy. This remains a picture of the state of affairs on the battleground of spiritual growth. Such growth requires repeated, indeed continuous, application of sound scriptural principles; it is not automatic and it is typified by attempts by the enemy to thwart it. Apathy is still a powerful tool in the enemy's hands. There is plenty of practical evidence of this. Joash might have been wrong on many counts, but Scripture notes his specific weakness that caused him to miss a golden opportunity. If we are sensing that there is more that God wants to achieve through our service, these articles should provide some useful points to consider.

Readers who are in the Churches of God that publish this magazine know that strong numerical growth is being experienced in these churches in Asia and Africa, but in some places there has been numerical decline. The latter is obviously a concern for leaders. A concern about the lack of growth in the North American churches about a decade ago spurred the elders based in Ontario, Canada to seriously review possible causes, and search for solutions. This series will be largely contributed by some of those who were involved in those deliberations, and have continued to work towards implementation of corrective action. However, the principles of spiritual growth to be discussed in this series apply globally. And we should again say that numbers are not the only measure of growth; the spiritual life of a church of God may be vibrant even where numbers are small. But unless a reason for ongoing smallness of numbers can be supported from Scripture (e.g. the effect of unremitting persecution) the matter should not be ignored; growth should be a normal expectation.

Which model to choose?

Readers will find many books on the shelves of Christian bookstores providing "how to" type advice on church growth strategies. Some of these advocate practices that are evidently successful in the business world. Others address methods found to be effective from a numerical perspective in growing churches with congregations of many thousands. Yet others aim for increasing numbers of converts to Christianity, largely ignoring which church fellowship they join. While recognizing that there is often something to be learned from others' successes, this series will pursue a different course. The primary objective is to help those in churches of God to apply biblical principles in their evangelism and ministry, so that God will be pleased to bless with His growth. It is to be noted that God promised numerical growth to Abraham's family (as cited above), and even from Ishmael nations would be derived.(5) However, God's primary concern was to bring blessing upon the promised offspring, Isaac. We should not be surprised when organizations whose beliefs and practices we might question succeed in growing; that alone is not necessarily a sign that they are doing the right things in the right way. We are wise to validate all the activities associated with these growing companies against clear scriptural expectations, and not to be confused into seeking growth for its own sake.

False growth

A further word of caution is appropriate at this point. Not all growth is good. Christians have an adversary who thrives on counterfeit activity, and growth is no exception. Numerical growth in particular can result from a compromise of the demands of God's Word. And apparent growth in spirituality may hide a cancerous growth of error.(6) These are not new issues, as there are plenty of examples throughout the Bible of God's people growing in numbers but growing further from God in their spiritual lives, and no doubt such a problem will continue to be seen.(7) Such conditions may continue for a time, but God will not tolerate our failure to correct them; if we do not act, He will bring about His own correction. For example, 2 Chronicles 36:16,17 provides a harsh warning, for it reminds us that Israel let matters get out of hand until there was no remedy. God then reduced their numbers through severe judgement. The word "remnant" is perhaps not familiar to many readers. However, it is a term that God applies to the minority of His people left after periods of corrective discipline have dispensed with the majority.(8) Although it is not the primary subject of this series, it is true to say that God has frequently resorted to a minority, seeking faithful ones to rebuild and re-grow after the enemy has successfully distracted the majority away into error.

Criteria for spiritual growth

Good growth in the things of God is evidenced by people increasing in their obedience to His instructions. There are several ways by which we might measure our need for growth and relative success in achieving it. These criteria will vary for different areas of church activity. It is the intention as this series proceeds to establish from Scripture criteria that can be seen to apply to nine key aspects of the life of a church of God. We will consider collective worship; prayer; holy living; good works; disciple-making (including evangelism); doctrine (study and teaching of the Word); our relationship with the Lord; fellowship with each other; and mutual care and support.

Although this is not the only possible way of classifying Christian activity, it is hoped these will enable us to capture all the work of the Lord through disciples in a thriving church of God, as authorized by the New Testament Scriptures. They are not necessarily presented in all respects in a priority ranking. In each of the articles we shall attempt to show from Scripture the relevance of the activities, by reference to practices of the churches of God in the first century, AD. After the amazing start on the Day of Pentecost,(9) those early initiatives were typified by increasing numbers. It was also a time when church practices were being established and uniformly applied.(10) It is the principles supporting that healthy growth that this series is seeking to bring before us for consideration and consistent application.

It is necessary to note here that a united elderhood is a significant thing that God uses as a means to ensure consistent and victorious spiritual growth among the whole community of churches of God in the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.(11) However, all Christian leaders must themselves be followers, as disciples of Christ along with the rest of the people of God. A united elderhood is a key requirement for sustained effectiveness, but it is not a sole condition. Rather the whole of each church of God must be united in its attitude and activities if desired spiritual growth is to be achieved. This is easily illustrated by Paul's appeal for cessation of divisive activities in the Church of God in Corinth.(12) Moreover, if we judge that a church is doing well in one of the above areas, we must be conscious that failure in another could still stunt its spiritual growth; consistency across all dimensions is needed. Therefore a comprehensive review is necessary; we must search out weak spots wherever they occur, and seek the help of God to address them. Surely this is what He desires.

Personal considerations

You might wish to review the above list and ask yourself if there are any important activities that are missed. Does the Bible command churches, and thus the disciples forming them, to do something that would fall outside this list?

Secondly, in preparation for the rest of the series, you might wish to consider your personal involvement in these matters. Are these priority issues for you? It is well recognized that many of our readers are not numbered in churches of God, and may in fact still be seeking the right place to serve God today. To these especially an appeal is made in this series to consider carefully how these fundamental matters require us to keep closely to the basic pattern of New Testament teaching; if we depart from the Bible as our guide to Christian practice there is no alternative measure of effectiveness. In this respect, please do not hesitate to contact the editors of this magazine if you would like more information about Churches of God.

(1) Gen.1:28; 9:1 (2) Gen.22:17 (3) John 15:2,8 (4) 2 Kin. 13:14-19

(5) Gen.17:19,20 (6) 2 Tim.2:17 (7) Mat.24:12; Rev.3:19

(8) 2 Kin. 19:30; Is.1:9, 10:19-20 (9) Acts 2:1-12, 41-47 (10) 1 Cor.4:17

(11) 1 Pet.5:1-10; 1 Cor.1:9 (12) 1 Cor.1:10

HYDON, G.M. | Jan 2002
Principles Of Church Growth