Defining Church Growth

By: Clayton D. Robinson

Church Growth perspectives: Three moods of a church growth person.

1. Obedience: We must obey Jesus as Lord (1 John 2). His main command is Matthew 28:19-20, to make disciples of the world.

2. Pragmatism (in methodology): to fulfill the great commission, we should use only those methods that work. All others should be discarded (1 Cor 9:22). The premise is that if what we are doing does not work, what can we do differently that will? This is not to say that the world can be won to Christ through cheap tricks or methodology, but that if what we are doing is ineffective in winning the world, we should do something else that is effective!

3. Optimism: the church will be built by Jesus himself. We are to be a part of His work. We cannot be defeated. Jesus will win and the church will grow! (Mt 16:18) Around the world the church is growing at the fastest rate since the first century. It is only in North America and Europe where the church is in trouble. We must not be near sighted and miss that God is at work. We must be inspired at how God is blessing elsewhere and renew our commitment to seek God’s blessings here!

What do church growth eyes see?

The world from God’s perspective:

a) God’s perspective: people-seeking (John 3:15¬17).

b) The world: Lost people and found people; saints and sinners, people having found his love and people needing it. Not just the number of existing churches, but also those who need to be called to join God’s eternal community: the church.

The hand of God working in the world

a) What God has done (during the book of Acts the church grew to over 100,000 Jews plus gentiles)

b) What God is doing – 1800 William Carey started the modern missionary movement. Since then the church has exploded and we are presently in the middle of a world-wide revival unprecedented in the history of mankind.

c) In the world – 3 million new Christians/year (440,000/wk, 63,000/day, 2500/hr, 44/min.)

(1) 73,000 new churches/yr, 1400/wk, 200/day!

(2) 60% non-white in the year 2,000

(3) Africa – 3% in 1900, 48% in 2000

(4) Asia – 0 in 1900, it is now over 35%

d) In the USA – only 7% in 1776, 1976 was 70%. While the church in the US is struggling, Christianity is still the primary faith.

Your place in God’s plan

a) God will not go it alone (Rom 10:13-14)

b) God has given you the resources you need

(1) The word of God (the message to speak)

(2) Himself – “I will never leave you or forsake you”

(3) The power we need through the Holy Spirit

(4) Other believers- to help you and care for you

(5) Spiritual gifts for your individual participation

God will hold you responsible – You are his steward and will be held accountable for your part.

Click here for class notes and recordings

Our goal this year has been to raise up Kingdom disciples who will radically impact their world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit! We have been accomplishing this through Sunday night lessons, daily Bible reading plans, discipleship class, ministry opportunities, camps, and other fun events.

Over the summer months we have focused on several fundamental beliefs.  The following were our 7 summer lessons:

1)     History – We are Foursquare

2)     Scripture – All Scripture is God-Breathed

3)     Trinity – The Trinity as a picture of living in community

4)     Church – The present instrument of the Kingdom of God

5)     Cross – Jesus initiates a relationship with us, even in our sin

6)     Obey – Jesus, the greatest example of obedience

7)     Stewardship – “if you can do a lot with a little, you will get to do a lot with a lot”

Please ASK your student what they have been learning at youth group, even if it feels like pulling teeth!

The next series we are teaching is on the Holy Spirit. The first week we looked at how the Holy Spirit is active in the Old Testament.  We will next look at Holy Spirit empowerment and the gifts of the Spirit.  Each lesson builds upon the previous week so please be sure to have your student with us each Sunday night.

Today we are all confronted with sexual conversations and images all around us. According to xxxChurch.com, the average age of first Internet exposure to pornography is 11 years old. We must address this with our students in a way that they feel comfortable to ask questions and yet challenged to remain true to the one-flesh principle established in Scripture. Therefore, on September 30^th we will begin a 2-week topic on SEX.

The first week we will cover purity in a more general way using the story of Joseph.  In Joseph’s life he was a dreamer, a worker, a prisoner, and a ruler. Joseph’s seasons of life are similar to ours! Like Joseph, we must remain true in the face of temptations to our dreams even when it means becoming a prisoner for our dreams. The second week, October 7^th, we will separate the girls and guys in order to do a Q&A on sex and purity.  If you do not feel your student is ready for questions that may be raised please keep them at home for this one night of youth group.

If you are looking for resources to help your student with this topic please see the attached Parent Resource List from Purdesire.org.  Another good resource is The Every Man series that has books for both girls and guys.

Please pray and declare that our students will encounter God and impact the world around them with the love of Jesus!

Pastor Caleb & The Cause Leadership Team

Attachment:

PARENTAL RESOURCES from Pure Desire Ministries

1)     History – We are Foursquare

2)     Scripture – All Scripture is God-Breathed

3)     Trinity – The Trinity as a picture of living in community

4)     Church – The present instrument of the Kingdom of God

5)     Cross – Jesus initiates a relationship with us, even in our sin

6)     Obey – Jesus, the greatest example of obedience

7)     Stewardship – “if you can do a lot with a little, you will get to do a lot with a lot”

In 2011, teenagers met for See You at the Pole in every U.S. state and many countries around the world. Although most nations observe SYATP movements on the fourth Wednesday of September.

This is the 22^nd anniversary for See You at the Pole, a student-initiated and student-led movement that started in the Ft. Worth suburb of Burleson, Texas, in 1990. SYATP brings students to their school flagpoles to intercede for their leaders, schools, and families, asking God to bring moral and spiritual awakening to their campuses and countries.

Everything necessary for students to plan and promote a successful SYATP is available free at www.syatp.com. There is also an active Facebook page: “See-You-at-The-Pole”. Additional promotional resources can be ordered online or by calling (817) HIS-PLAN (817-447-7526) between 9-5 (Central Time), Monday-Friday. Brochures, a promotional DVD, and posters are some of the materials available for 2011.

The San Diego-based National Network of Youth Ministries coordinates SYATP promotion. Daryl Nuss, executive director of the Network, commented: “SYATP helps launch teenagers and college students – in unity – to minister to their peers. See You at the Pole empowers students in prayer at the beginning of the school year to take leadership at their schools. What better way is there to begin a semester than to pray for their friends, community, and nation?”