Church Growth
Robert Meredith
In Matthew 20:1 one reads, “For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a Man that is an Householder; which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into His vineyard.” Jesus goes on to teach us what we call the parable of the vineyard, or of the eleventh hour. The householder represents Christ and the vineyard, His church. Therefore, Jesus is pictured as calling (2 Thessalonians 2:14) workers for His vineyard. This verse shows us that the church is a place of labor, and it is every Christian’s responsibility to be laboring in His kingdom/vineyard. Too often, some think that it is the Elders’, deacons’ or preacher’s job to tend to the work of the church. However, James, writing to the church (James 1:1) declares, “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world” (James 1:27). When one considers the topic of church growth, there are two areas one needs to consider: spiritual and numerical. The Apostle Peter commands us to grow spiritually (1 Peter 2:2; 2 Peter 3:18) as does the Apostle Paul (2
Timothy 2:15). Jesus Himself taught that numerical growth will come when the seed of God’s word is sown in a good heart (Luke 8:15).
Evangelism is one of the three works of the church, and a part in which every member should be involved. Our Lord commanded us to go into all the world (Mark 16:15). It may be that you can not go overseas to a foreign land, however, the mission field lies right outside your door. The first century church gives us a great example to follow. Saul of Tarsus made havoc of the church and the scattered church went everywhere preaching the word (Acts 8:4). Today in the United States, we do not face such persecution, but we should still have the desire to teach as we have the opportunity. Christians today can evangelize by teaching Bible classes, inviting others to services, or conducting home Bible studies. All of these help fulfill the Great Commission.
Benevolence is another way of enhancing church growth. When the world sees that the church cares not only for her own, but also for those of the world (Galatians 6:10), it will open doors of opportunity for numerical growth. But even if that does not happen, the spiritual growth of the members will be enhanced.
A third work in which every member can be involved is edification, which means to build up or to strengthen. Each of us has the responsibility of edifying our fellow Christians. Too many in Christ’s church have the attitude of the one talent man of Matthew 25 and feel that they can not do great things, so they do nothing at all. One needs to realize that the one talent man was not lost because he only had one talent, but because he did not do what was expected of him. Each church member can speak words of encouragement to the downtrodden, to new converts, and to the Elders who labor in overseeing the flock. Furthermore, every member can edify by his attendance. In Hebrews 10:24 the Holy Spirit commands us to, “Consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works.” Once again this is a command and it is not optional. One must provoke unto love and to good works. But how? Verse 25 tells us, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together.”
Every individual has influence, which can be used for good or bad. On one occasion my wife invited someone to church services, and the lady asked, “Is that where so and so goes?” When Teri responded, “Yes”, the lady said, “I do not have anything against the church of Christ, but if he goes there I do not want anything to do with it.” Is your influence such that church growth is enhanced or diminished? Paul commands us to, “Present your bodies a living sacrifice...which is your reasonable service” (Romans 12:1). Jesus proclaimed, “He that is not with Me is against Me: and he that gathereth not with Me scattereth” (Luke 11:23). Paul wrote, “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase” (1 Corinthians 3:6). Let us strive to do our part to enhance church growth.