2. Characteristics of a Growing Church

3. 1. Members have a deep awareness & urgency for the lost around them (Jn. 4:31-35) 2. Lost people are a priority (Luke 19:10; 6:40; 15:1-32 ✓ How much are we like Jonah?

4. 3. Evangelism is a church strategy (Eph. 4) ✓ Need for leaders equipping & training the saints ✓ The Acts 6:2-4 principle 4. Members respect the coming-to-Christ process: gentleness & patience as they grow

5. 5. New friendships are made and maximized ✓ “Close proximity is needed for “salt” to work ✓ Members do not over-schedule; save time for new relationships ✓ Until we are a friend, the suspicion factor is high 6. Varied approaches to evangelism are emphasized

6. 7. No one person takes on the whole conversion process ✓ Can you invite? Set up classes? ✓ Be a co-teacher? ✓ Be a co-learner ✓ Greet & connect with those who visit? ✓ Strengthen the weak? New Christians? ✓ Care for the sick, especially unbelievers? ✓ Be a baby-sitter?

7. 8. Efforts of individual members are helped by groups efforts (1 Cor. 14:23-25) ✓ Worship format that reflects zeal for the Lord ✓ Create opportunities for inviting and teaching ✓ Classes with an atmosphere for learning ✓ Sunday morning “beginners” class

8. 9. Balanced preaching and teaching 10. The gospel is never compromised 11. Prayer: awareness of the Lord’s presence & help in the work 12. An awareness that God has made you the perfect “clay jar” to bring the gospel (2 Cor. 4:7-12)