Unlimited Growth

Often the obvious answer is that we want to grow. The reality is that if we truly wanted to grow then we would take the necessary actions as the leadership of the congregation and members to make growth happen. When we begin to look at growth, it is common to focus on the process of growth and ignore the internal analysis of the present situation as a first step. Here are some things to consider before setting into motion any process for growth.

• Begin with a specific commitment to spiritual growth.
• Decide if the congregation truly wants to grow and in what ways.
• Seek God's wisdom and will through prayer and Bible study.
• Try to involve every member.

We are built upon the truth that Jesus Christ is the Son of God (Matthew 16:18). This means that growth is not only unlimited but is also unstoppable. Every congregation has the potential for unlimited growth if they are true to the teachings of Jesus.

Congregational membership – Membership in a congregation is made up of baptized believers who have been added to the church by our Lord (Acts 2:37-47).

Congregational autonomy – There is no teaching in scripture for a "hierarchy" type model where leadership at some headquarters governs numerous congregations. In the New Testament, each congregation is independent as it serves the Lord, its members and the community where it is located. There are some who feel that congregations cannot work together in efforts to further the gospel. However, in the New Testament there are many examples of congregations coming together to work on the behalf of other congregations.

Leadership – The only example and teaching concerning leadership is that of elders, deacons, evangelists and teachers. Each congregation is led by a plurality of elders guided by God's word and Spirit. These men oversee the congregation's efforts to serve faithfully and to implement the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. They hold no authority beyond the congregations in which they serve. (Ephesians 4:11; I Timothy 3; Acts 20; Philippians 1:1).

We must be careful to not judge success on numbers alone. Although numbers are one form of measurement, we should judge true success in how we remain true to our Lord's will and teachings. This is not to excuse poor numerical growth, but rather to ensure that congregations do not lose sight of our true purpose as Christians which is being the light and salt to the world as we proclaim Jesus and the salvation He offers.

Pattern Theology is the idea that the Bible has a pattern or instructions that guide us in spiritual and moral living as well as church organization.

This system is valuable in that it reveals and keeps believers true to God's word. God is not a God of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33), He created and embedded patterns for carrying out His will in every part of the Bible. The pattern for organizing and functioning as the church belonging to Jesus Christ is contained in the New Testament and His intent is that we should use it to establish the New Testament church in every generation.

This approach helps us establish and grow according to God's plan and not man's. Every concept or idea that members have about the organization, teaching and function of the church can be determined for its accuracy by being judged against the standard of God's word contained in the New Testament. In this way we can work for growth while remaining faithful to scripture.

God has always and continues to give us detailed instructions for how He wants us to be organized. If we ignore or fail to determine God's plan for how we are to organize and function, then we will fail. There continues to be a warning to us as well that we must continue to ensure that what and why we do what we do is always judged by God's plan.

Paul said in Romans 8:31 that if God is for us, who can be against us? The corollary of this is true as well. If God is not for us, then we cannot succeed.

We take on the responsibility to spread God's Kingdom where there is none and to strengthen the Kingdom where it exists. Both of these are important. It is not an, "either/or" situation.

Evangelism – Evangelism is the preaching of the gospel to the lost with the goal of helping them respond in faith and obedience. As the church grew the people reached out into the community sharing the gospel of Christ. This is also in keeping with our Lord's instructions to the apostles about the spread of the gospel in Acts 1:8, (from Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, to the ends of the earth.)

Education – Teaching in the church is focused on Jesus and His commands for our citizenship in His Kingdom. It begins with how to enter the Kingdom and continues with instructions on how to grow the Kingdom.

Fellowship – Fellowship means to share. We practice this by integrating each member into the body and into all elements of body life as each is ready. We saw this in the first century church as they shared all they had together. This went beyond physical sharing to include the encouragement to live faithfully.

Worship – Worship is our actions of adoration and devotion to God. We worship in formal ways on the first day of each week and in informal ways as we live faithful lives.

Service – This is the pooling of our resources together to meet the needs of fellow disciples and the community at large. Service is an outgrowth of fellowship.

Note: The outcome of these five areas in the first century church and in our congregations today is found in Acts 2:47, "And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved."