Studying Church Growth Considering Involvement Choices

1 Corinthians 9:22 To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. [22] To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. Methods change, but not the message.

Luke 5:36-38 He also told them a parable: “No one tears a piece from a new garment and puts it on an old garment. If he does, he will tear the new, and the piece from the new will not match the old. 37 And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the new wine will burst the skins and it will be spilled, and the skins will be destroyed.38 But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins. Wineskins change, but not the wine.

Trends among growing and declining churches of Christ indicate 6 clear choices for churches that have decided to grow. Not really open to discussion anymore. It’s just a matter of whether we’ll choose to act.

Trends indicate 6 clear choices for churches that have decided to grow. The Culture Choice The Leadership Choice The WORSHIP Choice

Trends indicate 6 clear choices for churches that have decided to grow. The INVOLVEMENT Choice CHOICE # 4

Acts 2:42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles‘ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And they devoted themselves to the apostles‘ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

Acts 4:32-35 Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. 33 … 34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold 35 and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. 33 … 34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold 35 and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.

Acts 2:44-47 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts,47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Ephesians 4:11-12 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,

Ephesians 4:15-16 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. Building, growing by each individual part

Romans 12:4-8 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

1 Peter 4:8-11 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. Serving one another in love

ALL churches have a revolving door Doors of entrance should be broad, open and wide gospel meetings summer series Bring your neighbor day radio / facebook personal invitations special classes CDs / tracts home studies, etc., etc.

ALL churches have a revolving door Exit doors are slowed down when people assimilate and stay Closing the back door happens with GROUPS and JOBS

STUDIES ARE REVEALING.. DC averaged 4 groups/100 mem. DC averaged 4 groups/100 mem. GC averaged 6 groups/100 mem. GC averaged 6 groups/100 mem. Youth groups, contact groups, work groups Recreational groups, ladies/mens classes Home study groups, Bible classes GC averaged 76% in Bible classes GC averaged 76% in Bible classes DC averaged 68% in Bible classes DC averaged 68% in Bible classes

Planned Groups Indicate an Efficient Application of Ephesians 4:11-12, Equipping 2.Building 3.Maturing 4.Participating 5.Growing Small groups open doors, build relationships, and build churches

Effective Groups are Affected by Four things 1.Purpose – intentional effort, clear goals 2.Size – 6-12;15-40, non-saturated open circle 3.Age – can be closed to new members 4.Facilities – can be crowded before all chairs are full

ALL churches have a revolving door Exit doors are slowed down when people assimilate and stay Closing the back door happens with GROUPS and JOBS

“JOBS” in the Kingdom…  Are the “small things than you can do”  Is the parable of the talents  Is the principle of stewardship

Romans 12:4-8 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

1 Peter 4: Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. 9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.

INVOLVEMENT through intentional focused groups and jobs…  Enriches the lives of Christians  Closes the back door  Brightens our light for the front door

Churches that want to grow have 6 choices to make… in culture recognition.. in leadership.. in worship.. in involvement And…... (to be continued..)