Church Growth - 1

"Cliff Notes" so to speak, from "Co-Workers With Christ"  [See Post Below]

"Church growth" is a mystery.

There are no "techniques" to it but we can say a few things about its organic process.

"The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground and should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how." (Mk 4:26-7).

As a physician cannot create life or growth, neither can a bishop, priest, or lay person. But like a physician, we can understand how life functions; how to nurture it, and if necessary how to heal it; by being dependent on and working with Christ, the Great Physician.

God providentially puts specific people together to be a community and to work out their salvation. When one person is sick, all are affected.

For a church to stay healthy - it's members must have a deep commitment to:
1) Pray
2) Worship
3) Ascetical discipline
4) Tithing
5) Almsgiving
6) Be biblically literate

Evaluate your own life...are you "of Christ" or are you "of the world?"

Is your light under a bushel?
Do people look at you and see Christ?
Do you look to see Christ in others?
Do you take Christ to work?

Is His icon in your office or workplace?
Do you open your mouth and share the Good News?
Do you know how?
Do you want to know how?

Do you pray the Lord's Prayer at least twice per day?
Do you fast on Wednesday and Friday from meat?
Do you secretly give money to those in need?

It's important to understand that Church planting IS the means described in the New Testament for
starting churches and evangelism.

Outside of the historical church, denominations that plant churches are growing. To help change
the trend of decline in Orthodoxy, we must plant new churches with an evangelical vision.

We must understand God's plan for planting and growing a church. Planting new churches requires
the pouring of one's whole soul into the endeavor.

It requires dedication, sweat, faith, determination, many hours of hard work and loneliness, and the real experience of working alongside Christ.

It can at times be slow, difficult and frustrating. Nevertheless, it is at these times that we can draw closer to Christ, remembering that it is His Church, and that we are only His servants.

Church planting requires 110% of your best effort and 100% of the resources God has given you.