Strategic Moves toward Kingdom Advancement Wes Woodell Wes Woodell

The Need for Change! 350,000 churches in the USA. Four out of five have plateaued or are in a state of decline. Of the 15% that are growing, 99% of those are “growing” from transfers (only 1% are growing from reaching lost people). 350,000 churches in the USA. Four out of five have plateaued or are in a state of decline. Of the 15% that are growing, 99% of those are “growing” from transfers (only 1% are growing from reaching lost people).

The Need for Change! There are currently 195 million non-churched people in the USA. USA is among the top four largest “unchurched” nations in the world (just behind China, India, and Indonesia). There are currently 195 million non-churched people in the USA. USA is among the top four largest “unchurched” nations in the world (just behind China, India, and Indonesia).

The Need for Change! Churches of Christ as a whole are in a state of decline.

Matthew 28: Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28: Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

I. Refocus Existing Churches on Disciplemaking

Refocus Existing Churches 1.Begins with Leadership. 2.Leaders Must Model Evangelistic Priority. 3.Evangelists/New Converts Recognized & Encouraged. 4.Individual Members Equipped to Share the Gospel 5.Identify Evangelists – Get Them to Train Others. 6.Utilize Testimony 1.Begins with Leadership. 2.Leaders Must Model Evangelistic Priority. 3.Evangelists/New Converts Recognized & Encouraged. 4.Individual Members Equipped to Share the Gospel 5.Identify Evangelists – Get Them to Train Others. 6.Utilize Testimony

Refocus Existing Churches 7. Utilize Outwardly Focused Small Groups. 8.Understand Evangelism Involves Skill. 7. Utilize Outwardly Focused Small Groups. 8.Understand Evangelism Involves Skill.

II. Disciplemaking Church Plants

Disciplemaking Church Plants Book: Viral Churches by Ed Stetzer & Warren Bird. Most comprehensive study on church planting in the USA done to date. Most effective large-scale strategy for church growth in the USA – Multiplication Movements sponsored by local churches. Book: Viral Churches by Ed Stetzer & Warren Bird. Most comprehensive study on church planting in the USA done to date. Most effective large-scale strategy for church growth in the USA – Multiplication Movements sponsored by local churches.

Ephesians 4: So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Ephesians 4: So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

III. Disciplemaking Campus Ministry Plants

Disciplemaking Campus Ministry Plants 77% of those who make a decision to follow Jesus in the USA do it at or before the age of 21. Average year 1% of the US population graduates high school with 3 out of 4 attending college. College = time when worldview is shaped, and an individual’s worldview is statistically unlikely to change after it is established (i.e. after college). 77% of those who make a decision to follow Jesus in the USA do it at or before the age of 21. Average year 1% of the US population graduates high school with 3 out of 4 attending college. College = time when worldview is shaped, and an individual’s worldview is statistically unlikely to change after it is established (i.e. after college).

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