The commission of our Lord Jesus Christ to His people is to "... go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and teaching them to observe all things which I have commanded you, and lo I am with you always, even to the end of the age." He is the one who has formed His local assemblies (church) through whom He desires to fulfill this commission. Each and every believer is sent into his or her home, workplace, community, and church with this commission. Every church must be sensitive to this commission.
It seems to me evangelical churches take this commission very seriously. There are many books describing many excellent methods for doing church growth, advancing philosophies of ministry, and many courses which teach leaders how to organize in order to accomplish church growth. Church growth is advanced as being obedient and fulfilling this commission. I admire and embrace many of these concepts, but I have being thinking about the basics. What is true church growth, and how do we really accomplish it, even after we are organized, mobilized, and philosphised up?
Two scriptures come to my mind as I think on this. Both are from the gospel of John. The first is John 4:13, "...whoever drinks of the water I give him (her) will never be thirsty again. The water I give him (her) will become in him (her) a spring of water welling up to eternal life." The second verse is John 7:38, "Whoever believes in me as the scripture has said, 'Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.' Now this He said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified."
These words clearly indicate that true ministry is about people. Yet, it’s not just caring for human needs or providing encouragement through human efforts or affections. It is all these things, but it is much more. True ministry is first loving God, and as a consequence of encountering the infinite joy of His character, ministering to others. Then true ministry is bringing care to others out of the joy of knowing Him, in order that those who will can encounter the ministry of their Heavenly Father, in the Lord Jesus Christ, by the Holy Spirit. This seems to be the Lord's plan and provision for fulfilling the Great Commission.
It seems to me that church growth at its very basic level is about loving God and caring for people. Let us abide, so His divine power will meet the needs of those around us in family, workplace, community, and church. Let us fulfill His commission with His plan, knowing His promised presence, and in the joy of our daily encounter with Him.
It seems to me evangelical churches take this commission very seriously. There are many books describing many excellent methods for doing church growth, advancing philosophies of ministry, and many courses which teach leaders how to organize in order to accomplish church growth. Church growth is advanced as being obedient and fulfilling this commission. I admire and embrace many of these concepts, but I have being thinking about the basics. What is true church growth, and how do we really accomplish it, even after we are organized, mobilized, and philosphised up?
Two scriptures come to my mind as I think on this. Both are from the gospel of John. The first is John 4:13, "...whoever drinks of the water I give him (her) will never be thirsty again. The water I give him (her) will become in him (her) a spring of water welling up to eternal life." The second verse is John 7:38, "Whoever believes in me as the scripture has said, 'Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.' Now this He said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified."
These words clearly indicate that true ministry is about people. Yet, it’s not just caring for human needs or providing encouragement through human efforts or affections. It is all these things, but it is much more. True ministry is first loving God, and as a consequence of encountering the infinite joy of His character, ministering to others. Then true ministry is bringing care to others out of the joy of knowing Him, in order that those who will can encounter the ministry of their Heavenly Father, in the Lord Jesus Christ, by the Holy Spirit. This seems to be the Lord's plan and provision for fulfilling the Great Commission.
It seems to me that church growth at its very basic level is about loving God and caring for people. Let us abide, so His divine power will meet the needs of those around us in family, workplace, community, and church. Let us fulfill His commission with His plan, knowing His promised presence, and in the joy of our daily encounter with Him.
