Copyright 2004. Church of God Ministerial Development Church Growth Through Evangelism and Spiritual Renewal.

Church Growth Through Evangelismand Spiritual Renewal

INTRODUCTION

True disciples of Jesus Christ, who implicitly and without reservations believe in God’s Word and in the relevance of the church, are passionate about the growth and the renewal of the church.

INTRODUCTION

Where church growth is happening, it is characterized by a spiritual passion for finding the lost and making disciples.

INTRODUCTION

Church growth then seems to depend upon faithfulness to the Great Commission.

INTRODUCTION

We must first be completely convinced as to why evangelism and spiritual renewal is necessary. Principles and passion are more important than creative methods.

INTRODUCTION

A master plan to achieve church growth through evangelism and spiritual renewal must include the following design:

1. Commitment to the Core Biblical Premise for Mission and Vision

INTRODUCTION



2. Steadfastness to the Process of Discipleship

INTRODUCTION




3. Trust in the Sovereign Work of the Holy Spirit

INTRODUCTION




3. Trust in the Sovereign Work of the Holy Spirit

4. Faithful and Anointed Pastoral Leadership

COMMITMENT TO THE CORE BIBLICALPREMISE FOR MISSION AND VISION

It is the Word of God that gives us the knowledge of God’s will and His commission to go into all the world and proclaim the Gospel.


Evangelism will not happen unless the people of God are totally committed to the authority of God’s Word.


Churches whose members have a high commitment to the authority of God’s Word, whose hearts burn with compassion, whose wills are fortified by discipline and devotion, and whose eyes see the ripe harvest have great potential for true church growth.

STEADFASTNESS TO THE PROCESS OF DISCIPLESHIP

Church growth depends upon the process of discipleship.


A Biblical profile of a real disciple of Jesus Christ would embody the following characteristics:

• Wholehearted loyalty and surrender to Jesus Christ as Lord




• A transformed and renewed mind





• A Journey of unconditional love






• A journey of intimacy with God through a life of prayer







• A journey beyond ourselves toward obedience to God’s call







• A journey beyond ourselves toward obedience to God’s call

• A pursuit of God’s agenda in the Spirit of serventhood

TRUST IN THE SOVEREIGN WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Life-giving, anointed churches trust in the sovereign work of the Holy Spirit for the growth of the church.


It is the convicting work of the Holy Spirit that leads people to Christ (John 16:8-11). Biblical church growth can not be experienced without the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.


“Revival is not a mere rearranging of our ecclesiastical furnishings; nor a resurrecting of our historical memories; neither is it a response to our greatest plans and programs. Revival is that holy and sovereign move of God in an individual’s life

that replaces all that is spiritually dead with all that is spiritually alive.”

Timothy Hill, Secretary-General of the Church of God

“True Spiritual Revival”


In an effort to tap into the power of the Holy Spirit to bring growth and renewal, we see churches involved in the following:

• spiritual warfare



• spiritual warfare

• prayer evangelism



• spiritual warfare• prayer evangelism

• spiritual mapping



• spiritual warfare• prayer evangelism• spiritual mapping

• cell group evangelism



• spiritual warfare• prayer evangelism• spiritual mapping• cell group evangelism

• covenant support groups



• spiritual warfare• prayer evangelism• spiritual mapping• cell group evangelism• covenant support groups

• prayer walking



• spiritual warfare• prayer evangelism• spiritual mapping• cell group evangelism• covenant support groups• prayer walking

• mobilization of intercessors



• spiritual warfare• prayer evangelism• spiritual mapping• cell group evangelism• covenant support groups• prayer walking• mobilization of intercessors

• concerts of prayer



• spiritual warfare• prayer evangelism• spiritual mapping• cell group evangelism• covenant support groups• prayer walking• mobilization of intercessors• concerts of prayer

• mentoring lay leaders



• spiritual warfare• prayer evangelism• spiritual mapping• cell group evangelism• covenant support groups• prayer walking• mobilization of intercessors• concerts of prayer• mentoring lay leaders

• friendship evangelism



• spiritual warfare• prayer evangelism• spiritual mapping• cell group evangelism• covenant support groups• prayer walking• mobilization of intercessors• concerts of prayer• mentoring lay leaders• friendship evangelism

• compassionate relief



• spiritual warfare• prayer evangelism• spiritual mapping• cell group evangelism• covenant support groups• prayer walking• mobilization of intercessors• concerts of prayer• mentoring lay leaders• friendship evangelism• compassionate relief

• emphasis on fasting and prayer


Biblical growth and renewal will not take place in churches when leaders and members seek growth through their own wisdom and power rather than by submitting themselves to the direction of the Holy Spirit.

FAITHFUL AND ANOINTED PASTORAL LEADERSHIP

Growing churches are lead by pastors who faithfully serve as a model disciple of Jesus Christ who is passionate about the Great Commission. Spiritual leadership has always been a major factor in the growth of God’s kingdom.


The greatest task of the pastor/leader is to equip and build unity. Equipping is a tougher job than shepherding. In order for a pastor to equip people he/she must:

• CARE for peopleC – communicate the vision

A – affirm trustworthy disciples

R – recognize potential in laity

E – exemplify disciple and commitment



• CARE for people

• Work on weaknesses but function out of strengths



• CARE for people


• Give people time, energy, and focus



• CARE for people



• Become a resource person providing



• CARE for people




• Clarify expectations and vision



• CARE for people





• Eliminate demotivating conditions and barriers



• CARE for people





• Eliminate demotivating conditions and barriers

• Provide reward, reinforcement, and celebration of victories


A Strong initiating pastor who serves with integrity of heart and serves with skillfulness is important. It is also that the leadership of the church be a ministry team of laity who are equipped, trained, and empowered to do God’s work.


The pastor as a leader communicates the vision, coaches and challenges the team to work in unity.


Pastoral leadership should not only be concealed with the spiritual growth of the member, but also concerned about the work of evangelism.

THE INVOLVEMENT OF THE RIGHT PEOPLE IN LAY LEADERSHIP

The involvement of laity in the total work of the church is essential. Church growth, evangelism, and spiritual renewal is dependent on the laity.


Today, in order to fulfill the Great Commission and build growing, life-giving, churches, we need to see a “Volunteer Revolution.” Courageous, visionary leadership is about unleashing the power of the laity!


Declining Churches – Have limited potential for growth because they are mostly made up of consumers, not lay ministers.


Plateaued Churches – Have some potential for growth because they have less passive consumers than declining churches, but still a ministry of active lay members.


Growing Churches – Have good potential for continued growth because they have a majority of lay members who are actively volunteering in order to fulfill their passion and win people to Jesus Christ.

CONCLUSION

Church growth requires that we have the right philosophy of ministry, and that we know how to impact our culture in ways that will bring people to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

CONCLUSION

Evangelism and spiritual renewal will only take place when we have the right philosophy, a Biblical philosophy which preaches Jesus Christ and no other name and no other salvation.

CONCLUSION

The harvest is ripe if we know how and where to focus our plans for evangelism, discipleship, and transforming spiritual renewal.

Copyright 2004. Church of God Ministerial Development Church Growth Through Evangelism and Spiritual Renewal.

Documents

vision slide

process of discipleship

introduction church

spiritual renewal slide

lord slide

core biblical premise

true church growth

vision evangelism