Church Growth with Reverend Tafadzwanashe Nyoni

The progress of one in life is determined by the environment one spends his time in. When the church grows we also grow in our individual lives. It’s a blessing to be in a growing church

1 Corinthians 3:6-7 Amplified Bible (AMP)

6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God [all the while] was causing the growth. 7 So neither is the one who plants nor the one who waters anything, but [only] God who causes the growth.

Acts 2:41 Amplified Bible (AMP)

41 So then, those who accepted his message were baptized; and on that day about [a]3,000 souls were added [to the body of believers].

Acts 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

Acts 2:43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.

Acts 2:44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;

Acts 2:45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.

Acts 2:46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,

Acts 2:47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

Introduction

Church growth looks at the following dimensions

· Numerical growth

· Material growth

· Emotional/ mental growth

· Relational growth

· Growth in influence

These have to be embedded into the individual and is experienced by all.

Two things determine the outcome of life, the DNA and the environment.

The church forms the environment of a believer.

The progress of one in life is determined by the environment one spends his time in. When the church grows we also grow in our individual lives. It’s a blessing to be in a growing church.

Numbers matter if we are to reach out to many people that are not yet born again.

The underlying principle behind growth is the spirit of hard work

John 4:6 Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour.

John 4:34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.

John 4:35 Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.

John_5:17 But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.

Gen 2:15 And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.

Jesus was a hard worker, no matter how tired he was he was only accomplished after work.

The late Dr Myles Munroe once said that a man must not marry before he finds “work”. There is a clear distinction between a “job” and “work”. A job is what they pay you for doing yet “work” is what God has called you to do. So you may have a job but not working. God rewards work

A man must not marry before he finds “work”. There is a clear distinction between a “job” and “work”. A job is what they pay you for doing yet “work” is what God has called you to do. So you may have a job but not working. God rewards work - Dr Myles Munroe

A. Principles of church growth

1. The principle of invitation

John 1:40 One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother.

John 1:41 He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.

John 1:42 And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.

John 1:43 The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me.

John 1:44 Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.

John 1:45 Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.

John 1:46 And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.

In this beautiful account, the ministry of Jesus started and grew by the principle of invitation. Simon Peter who became a leader amongst the 12 was invited by his brother Andrew, Nathaniel was invited by Phillip

· Start with your own!

· What beautiful confidence that they had with the ministry of Christ! This is Him!

· What is it that you tell people about your church when you invite them? What is it that excites you?

· Tell them “come and see”

2. The Principle of releasing leaders

Acts 6:2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.

Acts 6:3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.

Acts 6:4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

Acts 6:5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:

Acts 6:6 Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.

Acts 6:7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

Act 13:2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.

Act 13:3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.

· The more leaders we raise the greater the growth

3. The principle of loving the word

John 6:68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.

Act 17:10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.

Act 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were

Act 6:4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

Act 6:7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

· Whenever the word of God increases, the church grows in numbers and influential people come to church

4. Principle of evangelism and Church planting

Acts 8:5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.

Acts 8:6 And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.

Acts 8:7 For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.

Acts 8:8 And there was great joy in that city.

Acts 8:26 And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.

Acts 8:27 And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,

Acts 8:28 Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.

Acts 8:29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.

Acts 8:30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?

We need to share the good news of Christ

- The lives we live are a testimony

- Personal witnessing consistently

- Mass evangelism

- We need anakgazo (forcefulness) and aneaedia (lack of shame)

- Soul winning is our number 1 mandate

- Church planting is a form of evangelism

5. The principle of welcoming visitors (member X)

Acts 9:26 And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple.

Acts 9:27 But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.

· Its not an easy feeling to be new in any place

· Paul was worse they actually were afraid of him but Barnabas welcomed him

· How would you feel when you visit my home and I do not even entertain you? I keep myself busy with other things?

· As congregants spent time with the first time visitors, find out their names, where they stay, if you can even accompany them home and offer to come with them next week

· People stay in church because of relationships!

· Build strong relationships before you start asking very personal questions

· Follow up not as a responsibility but out of care

If we want our churches to grow, we have to sustain and maintain our new members and converts - Bishop Dag

6. The principle of corporate events

Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

· The culture of meeting as a corporate body is key to growth

· We are the body of Christ and whenever we meet, we are like parts of the body

1 Corinthians 12:12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

1 Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

1 Corinthians 12:14 For the body is not one member, but many.

1 Corinthians 12:15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

1 Corinthians 12:16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

1 Corinthians 12:17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?

1 Corinthians 12:18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.

1 Corinthians 12:19 And if they were all one member, where were the body?

1 Corinthians 12:20 But now are they many members, yet but one body.

- We are members of the body of Christ!

Types of meetings

a) Worship services

1 Corinthians 14:26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.

• It’s a place of encouragement

• It’s a place where gifts of the spirit manifest

• It’s a place of praise and worship

• It’s a place of doctrine vs 19, and teaching of the word

• It’s a place of healing of the sick James 5 vs 14,15

We are protected when we are together, do not separate yourself from others, a branch that is pruned off will die.

John 15:6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

b) Prayer meetings

Acts 3:1 Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.

Acts 16:13 And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither.

Acts 16:14 And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshiped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.

Acts 16:15 And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.

Acts 16:16 And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:

• Corporate prayer brings numerical growth

• It brings deliverance

c) Home cell meetings

Acts 2:46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,

Acts 10:24 And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends.

Acts 10:25 And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshiped him.

Acts 10:26 But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.

Acts 10:27 And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together.

• A body starts to grow from the cell

• It’s a place of fellowship of the saints and we get to know each other

• A place of prayer

• Salvation and holy Ghost baptism

• A place where gifts can grow

d. Conferences and Training

Deuteronomy 16:16 Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before the LORD empty:

Deuteronomy 16:17 Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD thy God which he hath given thee.

• Every house has its own culture

• The spirit of the house is shared whenever we meet, you see the pattern and order

• There is a corporate blessing that flows

• It’s a place of giving

• Acts 15 its place where doctrine and correction happens

• You will see the bigger picture of the house

7. Principle of prayer

Acts 3:1 Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.

Psalm 55:17 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.

Acts 4:31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

Acts 4:32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.

Acts 4:33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.

Acts 12:5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.

Corporate prayer grows a church by:

• unifying

• empowering gifts

• releasing signs and wonders

• bring deliverance

8. Principle fellowship

Fellowship is greek Koinonia- which means participation, friendship, communion, having all things in common, sharing our joys and sorrows, we have the same hope, same promises we are going same place

Acts 2:42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

• A church must grow in fellowship

• Growing in knowing each other we will have less conflicts

• There is nothing as hard as worshiping in a church where you know that someone doesn’t like you

• Fellowship brings us to be bonded together

• We will start to fight for each other not against each other!

• People stay in church because of friendship, you will discover people’s gifts as you fellowship

• You are bonded to people whom you spend more time with

• But they are some who have been hurt before whose hearts are no longer open to accept others

a) Things that build fellowship

i. Sharing the same belief (The Apostles doctrine)

Hebrews 6:1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,

Hebrews 6:2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.

We are built upon the same foundation. Many churches have split due to things that are not the elementary doctrines

What do we do then when we meet?

1Corinthians 14:26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.

ii. Breaking of bread/ Eating together

Mathew 26:26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.

Mathew 26:27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;

Mathew 26:28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

Although the sacrament is one of the Christian emblems, you will notice that the team that Jesus had was very much united because they ate together. This culture continued into the church in Acts.

As a family at home make sure that you eat together. Create memories as a church/ family

Having the fathers serve you and vis versa like Jesus washing his disciples feet

The “eats” create a forum were people open up and get to know each other. Have a few of these even at homegroups, MLI, total Men, Ablaze and Aim

iii. Sharing

iv. Praying for one another.

· We are bonded together as you in private take time to pray for someone

b) Things that destroy fellowship

You will always find that the church has builders and destroyers, in the same way we have those who do not want to fellowship and have excuses for attending meetings that will result in fellowshipping

i. Classes

James 2:1 My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.

James 2:2 For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;

James 2:3 And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:

James 2:4 Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?

Classes may be along many things, tribal, wealth and status, or along departmental lines

ii. Hidden sin

2 Corinthians 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

2 Corinthians 6:15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?

Like-minded people walk together. Sometime cartels of sinners in church want to be grouped together and cant accept any new person who thinks differently from them eg. Gossipers, and young ladies whose boys are waiting outside can never befriend anyone else.

iii. Spirit of rejection

They are people who generally have a low self esteem, who feel unloved and unlovable. They will not want to be involved with anyone. Sometimes genuinely have a bruised broken past and lost trust in people. These we ought to put ourselves close to them and love them.

9. The principle of financing the work

The work is financed primarily by our tithes and offering

Malachi 3:10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

Its time we grow up, all of us must learn to tithe ( we must not struggle with rentals and church planting)

Acts 2:45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.

·Church growth is preceded by an amazing level of giving

God bless you!