IV. CULTIVATION: The Maturing of the Church
A. MATURING. Spiritual Growth, where real growth should start. Jesus provided two major things for the growth of the Church or maturity of every member. [1] THE HOLY SPIRIT, for holiness and evangelization, Fruit and Gifts of the Spirit. [2] MINISTRIES. People with special ministries to help every member to do his part in the Lord's work. There were "growing pains": false doctrines, immorality among members, quarrels; that threatened to destroy the church. But God placed various types of ministries to help it grow "to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ as each part does its work" (Eph.4:13-17).
B. SHEPHERDING. The Pastoral Leadership of new church will lead in:
1. Strong pulpit ministry of the whole counsel of God.
2. Systematic shepherding of the whole flock. Members are cared and caring.
3. Regular emphasis on prayer and fasting. Exhort towards true spiritual worship.
4. Charismatic emphasis, and the work of the Holy Spirit.
C. INCREASING. Number Growth, where quality results to quantity, as people mature in Christ, they produce much fruit. PATTERNS OF GROWTH: There are various ways and patterns in which churches grow:
[1] Conversions in the evangelistic efforts of local believers.
[2] Biological Growth, Second generation conversions, children of Christians converted.
[3] Transfer Growth, Christians moving to your fellowship. Not addition to God's kingdom in the area, since a person is merely transfering.
D. BEING RESPONSIBLE. Aim for the church to grow and work towards indigenous level. We can measure the extent to which a church is indigenous by the degree to which it performs 3 functions: In Church Planting, this goes in order.
1. SELF-PROPAGATING: extending itself throughout the area by using its own manpower. Witnessing ministry is done by local converts. Each member is trained to serve. Continuing Training program to produce leaders. Help members discover, develop and exercise spiritual gifts. Discipling towards dependable church membership. Converts are nurtured and prepared for baptism. Baptized believers are trained and cared for to be participative members of the Body. It's not just growth in attendance but in responsible membership. Maturity means (among other things), productivity.
2. SELF-SUPPORTING: carrying on the work without depending on others for financial support. Faithful stewardship of local converts meets the logistical need of the new church. Loving example of faithfulness, generosity, and faith opens for teaching on faithful stewardship. Build financial integrity, blameless and responsible accounting, scriptural priorities concerning finances. NOTE: The support that a Sponsoring Church is giving you will be used for other Pioneer Workers, thus indirectly, you are helping the progress of mission. Plan to wean yourself financially from sponsor to relieve them to support others. Do not be a perpetual parasite.
3. SELF-GOVERNING: governing itself by converts of the area. Spiritual leadership and Church management by local converts. Biblical leadership emphasizes spiritual qualities rather than ministerial abilities, for its credentials. Build your leaders on spiritual mindedness, loyalty, unity, teamwork, servanthood, love, ministry.
E. PROGRESSING. God makes it Grow! 1CO 3:6. NT churches in the Book of Acts grow! He does not want a decline, stagnation, or stunted growth. Here are some Biblical principles of Church growth:
1. OBEDIENCE TO THE HOLY SPIRIT. LUK 24:49 ACT 1:8 The church grows when people are confronted by the living God. ACT 5:11-14 16:29-30 1CO 14:24-25. People are confronted by the living God by means of signs and wonders done in His Name. ACT 5:12-16 9:42, 13:12. People are confronted with the living God through anointed preaching. Spirit-fired sermons moved the NT hearers. ACT 4:29 Work is saturated with Prayers, ACT 2:42, 4:31, 6:4 10:19.
2. STRONG BIBLICAL LEADERSHIP. EPH 4:11-12 NT leadership are committed and willing to pay the price for growth. They are loyal to Christ and committed to the work. They can see possibilities and use opportunities. They think ahead, plan for the future, exhaust all possibilities, envision problems and dream up solutions to them, and then communicates these to God's people.
3. THE ROLE OF THE ORDINARY PEOPLE. EPH 4:12-16 Churches grow when they motivate, equip, and mobilize their membership into the service of Christ. This must be given priority by the spiritual leadership. Every believer is called by the Holy Spirit to be involved in service!
4. EFFECTIVE EVANGELISM. MAR 16:15-16 WIN THE LOST AND TRAIN THE FOUND! So first we must win them. And then disciple them or else evangelism is useless. The purpose of evangelism is to make disciples and responsible members of the kingdom of God. The only growth that is real, ACT 2:47 5:14.
5. FELLOWSHIP OF THE BELIEVERS. JOH 13:35 NT church is filled with caring people, who make themselves available to God to meet the needs of others. These attract unbelievers, encourage evangelism, disciple believers.
6. WORSHIP and CELEBRATION. Acts 2:47 Celebration is a key to growth. When people have fun going to church, they do not hesitate to bring others along. As more people get involved in worship, worship brings greater results.
7. RELEASED RESOURCES. MAT 6:33 ACT 4:32 Time, talent and treasures of all believers when committed to God play an important role in the growth of the Church. Giving, going and praying. Stingy churches hardly grow!