Church Growth & Missions Emphasizing Missional Church Planting

Definition of Church Growth Church growth is that area of study which investigates the planting, multiplication, function and health of Christian churches as they relate specifically to effective implementation of God's commission to "make disciples of all nations" (Mt. 28:19-20). Church growth strives to combine the eternal theological principles of God's word concerning the expansion of the church with the best insights of contemporary social and behavioral sciences, employing as its initial frame of reference, the foundational work done by Donald McGavran.

Pre-Church Growth Strategy Pre Church Growth Methodology Preaching from own cultural perspective Mission stations Little understanding of influence of culture Does not look at what God has already been doing Superior position taken One strategy with little thought to better strategies for reaching lost Establishing churches similar to home culture

Church Growth Strategy Church Growth Emphasis Preaching in awareness of the culture Living among the people Studying and understanding culture Emphasis on receptive areas – God opens doors Servant position taken Emphasis on exploring effective strategies Emphasis on planting churches not just preaching Emphasis on planting growing churches that plant World seen as a mosaic of people with various homogenous units and emphasized working within these units Strategy chosen based on understand the people and society in which one is working Evaluation of growth of church Establish indigenous churches

Church Growth Strategy Strategy based on peoples and cultural contexts Fits the culture Strategy based on receptivity Strategy adjusted to changing context Strategy for groups of peoples not just individuals Strategy that facilitates planting missional churches Researching mission fields is effective use of time for greater success Strategy with goals and objectives

Church Growth Principles Objectives of Church Growth Planting missional churches (not just churches) Convert, plant churches , incorporate believers, plant Plant spiritually and numerically growing churches – God wants growth State objectives in measurable terms Make effective use of God given talents, wisdom, and gifts for a greater harvest Plant culturally free churches Plant indigenous independent churches We should help mature churches We should help train leaders

Church Planting Two directions for churches Terminal - churches stagnate and do not plant new churches (Heb. 5:12; Rev. 3:1-3; 3:14-17) Germinal – missional churches grow through planting new churches who plant new churches, etc (2 Tim. 2:2).

Church Planting & Growth Type of growth Quantitative growth – measurable number of disciples (Acts 2:41, 47; 4:4; 5:14; 6:1, 7; 11:24) Evangelistic growth Transfer growth Biological growth Qualitative growth - fruit of the Spirit; measurable type of fruit (Gal. 5:22-26; see also 2 Pet. 1:5-9; Titus 2:10; 1 Thess. 4:12) Organic growth - growth in ministries and work (Col. 2:19; Romans 12; 1 Cor. 1:18). Types of Qualitative Growth

Church Planting & Growth Measuring Quantitative Growth Congregation growth calculations Baptisms (non-Christian converted) Transfers-in (move from one congregation to another) Restorations Congregational losses Reversions Transfers-out Deaths

Church Planting & Growth Measuring Quantitative Growth Example form Meru, Kenya - CG Study 1987 Total members 1986 266 Increases: Baptisms 156 Restorations 15 Transfers-in 51 Total 222 Losses: Reversions -75 Transfers-out -12 Death -0 Total -87 Net gain: 135 Total Members – 1987 401 Annual Growth Rate 51%

Indigenous & Independent Church Indigenous - culturally appropriate worship and Christian life. Language Traditions not contrary to biblical teaching Own form of worship and communication of God's message Culturally appropriate styles

Indigenous & Independent Church Independent - not dependent on missionaries or outside support. Independent from outside support - dependent on God. Three selfs: Self- supporting; Self-governing; and Self- propagating. Degrees of support are possible but should move this direction.

Elements of Effective Church Planting Should have a strategy Should consider receptivity of a given field Build on a good foundation (1 Cor. 3:10-15) Shake dust of feet (Acts 13:46-49; 14:20; 17:1-10; 18:5-7). There are times to go to one as opposed to another (Matt. 10:5-15). Should be objective-oriented (John 15; 1 Cor. 3).

Elements of Effective Church Planting Should be conscious of the culture in which he works. Countries have a mosaic of cultures and sub-cultures. Decide what is culturally negotiable and what is eternally binding. Negotiable - footwashing, head covering, holy kiss, circumcision, etc. Eternal - Jesus the only way, love God and neighbor, belief, repentance and baptism, etc.

Elements of Effective Church Planting Should be able to measure ones work. Quoting baptism but not losses is not accurate. Additions: baptisms, transfers-in, restorations Losses: Reversions, deaths, transfers-out Should reevaluate one's strategy periodically. Note what ministry are effective and those that are not. Redefine the purpose of a ministry. Close a ministry. Discover a need for a ministry.