Five reasons the early church grew acts 4 forthright. The following are some of the principles necessary to plant churches according to the new testament biblical pattern. An in depth study of the factors that promote or hinder church growth, followed by a strong emphasis on developing specific growth strategies for the local church. The five most important church growth principles these outreach principles work. A farmer needs to plow, cultivate, and pull out weeds in his field to get the crops to grow. The explanation of how is a little unclear at times but if you are already a kingdom citizen you will be able to sharpen the vision on your own. The early believers were constantly praying, both individually and corporately acts 2. Although some might deduce from the principles of the kingdom expounded here that the bible supports pacifism, most interpreters would not draw this conclusion. Pastors can glean some useful insights in its pages. And god placed all things under his christs feet and appointed him to.
Besides evangelism and benevolence, the matter of edification was addressed and accomplished in the acts of the apostles. Now that we have scriptural leadership in this congregation it is appropriate to begin talking about growth. Even this new millennium commenced with definitive acts of religious. Ludlowthe book of acts was written by luke after his gospel as the. The five most important church growth principles by gary. In my former book, theophilus, i wrote about all that jesus began to. But not the kind of growth that would simply satisfy our craving for more members, but the kind of growth that is the result of saving souls. It can happen today principles of church growth from the. Professor of new testament studies acadia divinity college, wolfville, nova scotia.
Second, we will turn to the growth of the kingdom in judea and samaria in 8. Whenever i read through the book of acts im struck with the number of times luke comments on the growth of the church. And the lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved. But the reason this church experienced such remarkable growth was not that the leaders employed the latest church growth principles. Some study and preaching in the book of acts will go a long way towards helping brethren resolve their problems concerning benevolence. Author gene mims identifies the biblical principles that prevent an overemphasis on church growth methods and demonstrates what propelled firstcentury christians to turn the world upside down for christ. Church growth, church growth principles, church growth factors.
This is about principles not techniques for healthy church growth. When the churches rested from sauls persecution, they were edified acts 9. They should be applied not in order to grow a big church, but in order to reach gods dearly loved children, and. Whereas the old testament depicts evangelism as people coming to god, the lucan perspective demonstrates that gods servants will go to his people. The apostle peter was told by jesus to strengthen his brethren and to feed his sheep luke 22. Pauls respect for others often wins a hearing for him and even turns enemies into friends, notwithstanding the boldness of his words. Paul was not only educated in the hebrew scriptures under gamaliel acts 22. As we will see, one critical element in jesus teaching about the kingdom was that the holy. The smallchurch growth strategy handbook represents a compilation of research, resources, stories, and information designed for small congregations to meet the needs as identified by both the standing commission for small congregations and the church in small.
At onequarter of the length of his earlier work, apostolic church planting is intended to answer some questions which in the years since the larger book was. The church growth movement has divided devout christians. First, the data here on goodreads is incorrectthe authors name is mims, not mills. Acts syllabus and course overview ministry development. Our remarks for this article will come from acts 4.
This is why the very first chapter in this book about church growth was not based on the book of acts but on ephesians because if we can be the church that paul describes in ephesians, we will be a loving church and have the true pattern for a new testament church well established. In this biblical text, the word kingdom as used by jesus refers to gods government, gods rulership, gods dominion over the earth. Church growth statements in the book of acts bible charts. Up to this point the apostles had been through a lot already. The holy spirit in the book of acts counted three thousand, then five thousand, and then the disciples were added to and multiplied. Ludlow whereas the gospel of luke focuses on the life and ministry of jesus christ, the acts of the apostles builds upon what jesus did and taught see acts 1. Support missions, testimonies prove god blessed churchs mission support.
Frank stagg has described the book of acts as the story of an unhindered gospel. Watch how god can take one spark and turn it into a wildfire that impacts your ministry, your community and even future generations. This is the second lesson in our series the book of acts. The growth of the church in the book of acts ryan wentzel. Foundational principles of multiplication in the kingdom of god dietrich schindler. Even though rainer is an advocate, his aim here is to present an objective view of the movementits history, the theology associated with it, and the principles which seem to separate churches that grow from those that dont. As a result, mims wrote a book, kingdom principles for church growth, about the 154 principle, as it is known, which any church, large or small, can use effectively, campbell said. Start a wildfire of spiritual growth in your church. In practical terms, a kingdom may be defined as the sovereign rule of a king over territory domain, impacting it with his will, pur pose, and intent. Bible verses about church growth king james version.
Church planters were sent, they did not just volunteer to go. They had been following jesus and were witnesses of the many miracles he had performed. To my knowledge, however, no church growth book with a complete focus on acts has been written. They didnt study the demographics of antioch and come up with a strategy to market the church to the masses. But let me also warn you that explosive growth is difficult. So, when you see god bless your church with growth, dont be surprised to experience resistance, sometimes even from within. Mcintosh wrote a bestselling book on this topic many years ago and i invited him to teach this. Church growth statements in the book of acts barnes bible charts 2. Acts begins with jesus teaching the apostles about the kingdom of god outside jerusalem, and ends, about thirty years later, with paul teaching gentile christians about the kingdom of god in rome. But in the book of acts there is a verse that speaks of growth, and factors are named there that helped this growth occur 3. Bible verses related to church growth from the king james version kjv by relevance sort by book order acts 2. Trace the major sections of the book, consider the purpose and historical context of the book and study the major events in acts of the apostles, early church and the holy spirit. This book provides a detailed examination of the principles, concepts, and characteristics of the kingdom of god, including.
And the lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. Lifeway christian resources, 1994 church growth 2 pages. A church of christ can and will grow spiritually and numerically when it is faithful to the word of god. Church growth in the book of acts a church of christ can and will grow spiritually and numerically when it is faithful to the word of god. Later, believers were the more added to the lord, multitudes both of men and women acts 5. Oct 15, 20 start a wildfire of spiritual growth in your church. Acts 812 the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. The book of acts ends with paul proclaiming the kingdom of god and teaching about the lord jesus christ with all boldness and without hindrance acts 28.
Kingdom principles for church growth is built on the premise that growth is born and nourished through a process ordained by god. What might work with the king present in the millennial kingdom might not work in the mystery form of the kingdom with the king absent. In earlier lessons we summarized lukes purpose for the book of acts by saying that he wrote a. Its possible to double, triple or quadruple the size of a church. This article presents the concept of church growth alongside evangelism mainly in the book of acts.
Introduction to church growth page 6 local body will enable its growth. Lyle schaller, considered one of the best church consultants in the world, states in his book, the very large church, that the two most comfortable church sizes are under 45 people and under 150 people, likely making them two of the hardest thresholds to pass through, in addition to the 800 mark. To prove this point, let us take a quick look at church growth in the book of acts, with a special view to the church in jerusalem. We will accent what builds scriptural churches, not what inflates by human ingenuity. Overview of persecution in the book of acts in acts 1. So before we get into the exploration of the subject of what laws govern the kingdom of god, and how to operate within gods kingdom, it will serve us well to begin first by. Strengths there are several strengths to the book which deserve note. The beginning of the church and its growth t he book of acts records the growth and progress of the church in the first century. And he will grow his church as we apply the biblical church growth principles we see in the book of acts. The book of acts is a story of mission, church planting and church growth and underlines that growth through the church is a significant part of the wider kingdom growth. They had not ventured out as jesus had commanded in acts. Thanksgiving, offered nurture spiritual growth faith, growth in love growing prayer, as praise and thanksgiving agape love commitment, to gods people growth we ought always to give thanks to god for you, brethren, as is only fitting, because your faith is greatly enlarged, and the love of each one of you toward one another grows ever greater. Everything great for the kingdom of god or for jesus christ.
Philips only requirement was that the man believe the message philip proclaimed to him. Book of acts might inform church planting today theology religion essay introduction. And god placed all things under his christs feet and appointed him to be head. Luke reported the growth of the kingdom through the gospel in jerusalem in four.
Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author. How the 3 rs factor into the development of church growth principles. I thought id share eight principles ive learned about church growth. Christ is the lord of church planting and he has a vision for your new church. Two important principles page 44 six critical issues page 51 a strategic plan page 57 book list page 66 helps for sac churches page 68 appendix church culture page 73. In the first few chapters of acts we are told how the early church centered her ministries in the city of jerusalem.
The book of acts tells us on that day the god of heaven launched the church of christ. Foundational principles of growth in the kingdom of god. The language of growth in acts can be grouped into two broad categories. This book will help pastors and church leadership to focus on what jesus has called us to do and strip away everything that he hasnt. Principles of christian growth and they continued steadfastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship and in breaking of bread, and in prayers acts 2. The early church is a best model as a spiritual driven church. Mcintosh wrote a bestselling book on this topic many years ago and i invited him to teach this to my highest level coaching network. To help students state a principle taught in acts 9. The first churches in the book of acts began in prayer acts 1. This dissertation arises out of my own interest and engagement in church planting that has led me to reflect on my own practice more biblically and theologically. The book of acts records the amazing growth in spite of huge obstacles after.
Lets start by examining lukes stated purpose for writing the book of acts. Aug 25, 2015 9 biblical church growth principles to build a faithful church. Foundational principles of growth in the kingdom of god 1. Contents chapter 1 eight principles for church growth chapter 2 six principle for church growth chapter 1 eight. Schwartzs book natural church development and its application to the new testament ministry system being studied from acts chapter 2 in this seminar.
When you look at the book of acts, you find at least eight characteristics of the early church that positioned them for this kind of blessing from god. Phil sanders, instructor 1 nsop church growth, fall 2003 syllabus for church growth the study of church growth encompasses both a study of scripture and the methods of our time that lead to spiritual and numerical growth of the kingdom of god. We urgently need biblical clarity regarding the role of the church and kingdom. The ministry of shepherding the eldership demands that those charged with the care of souls know how many souls there are, where they came from and where they went. The pastor is the key human agent in the growth of a local church. The acts of the apostles often referred to simply as acts, or formally the book of acts, is the fifth book of the new testament. That said, it also contains some significant weaknesses that impair its utility. The purpose of this project is to present the biblical standards, principles, components, and methods of spiritual discipline for 21st century churches conversion from human efforts and programs oriented church growth to spiritual driven church growth like an early church. Stay tuned for second half of this post where we will address 5 more key principles of church planting from the book of acts. Growth of the church faith, growth in many in the church church maintaining faith growth serving the church. Up to this point, the book of acts recounts the churchs growth among jews in jerusalem and judea. The growth of a church is in part dependent on the corporate climate. Dynamic, explosive growth is gods will and design for the church down to its very dna. Plateaus of growth and decline the small church the middle size church eled h 800 400 750850 6 or 7 cong.
Church planting multiplication from a german perspective. The principle of unified prayer, or prayer with one mind and purpose, is a thread that. Church growth will be the most controversial page in this website because it will seem to attack a sacred cow in our religious system god is not interested in church growth that is building large congregations or large superchurches. Book of acts might inform church planting today theology. Biblical strategy and shift to spiritual driven church growth. This course encounters the major changes in gods relationship with the world and his people in this key transitional book of the bible. Feb 04, 2012 what the book of acts teaches us about church growth. The story of the growth of church is the story of jesus. For an example of one church growth writers use of acts, see c. Kings and lords territory and law citizens and royal privilege culture and economy destiny kingdom principles helps you learn to think and act like a kingdom resident and rulerthe person god intended you to be. Part of the problem with understanding the laws or principles that govern the kingdom of god is there is a great misconception of what the kingdom of god really is. In this passage, luke is restating the great commission challenge jesus gave in luke 24.
Gene mims book kingdom principles for church growth is a thoughtprovoking read. They had not ventured out as jesus had commanded in acts 1. I read a pile of books and attended most of the big churchgrowth. Oct 18, 2012 8 principles for churches that want to grow. The goal of this book is to reintroduce the concepts, principles, and nature of true authentic. Principles of church growth from the book of acts bontrager, edwin on. The revised and expanded kingdom principles for church growth is built on the premise that growth is born and nourished through a process ordained by god. The book of acts tells the story of the beginning of the church of jesus christ. It opens with a greeting to theophilus, who was also the intended recipient of lukes gospel. When you read through the book of acts, you see numerical growth. Link to ivp apostolic church planting is a followup to paynes discovering church planting intervarsity, 2009.