In the context of this teaching, church growth is striving to grow the local church. We have discussed that there are three dimensions to church growth:
- Growing in numbers
- Growing in influence
- Growing in capacity
Every local church can be revived to grow in numbers, capacity, and influence to reach the region or catchment area they are located. (See Acts 19:1-12)
The simple secret to growth is to do the following four things when the Apostle or Prophet announces a meeting or event. You can do these four things if you want to see the church grow:
- Pray
- Publicise
- Prepare
- Partner
The church that wants to grow must;
1. Pray constantly
If we want to see the church growing, we must be praying fervently, effectually, persistently, and consistently. We are supposed to be praying without ceasing. We are called to contend for the land and the people. Contend for the habitat and the inhabitants; we should not repeat the mistakes of the European missionaries who only preached to redeem the people but not the land. We must pray and contend for the land.
2. Publicise
In Luke 10, Jesus sent His seventy to cities where He would himself go. The church that will grow must constantly publicise and preach the gospel. Whatever we “hear in secret, must be published from the rooftop”. We must be publicising and making a great noise about events. We must be keen on publicity.
Let’s arise and tell the salvation story upon the rooftop and nations. We must constantly be reaching new people with the word and the news. Remember, for all these years we are here publicising the coming of a new heaven and earth; we are telling the world of the coming of the Lord. We are publicising the event and things that will follow after.
3. Prepare to host the people
The church that will grow must prepare to host people when they come. The church should prepare a place, prepare personnel, and prepare vituals to host the brethren. We must make the banquet ready; we must prepare to host the nations as they flow in.
4. Partner
The church that will grow must partner with the apostle and prophet. We must learn to give to the minister who leads us. The work of missions is our responsibility and we must communicate with the man of God.
These are four simple keys to church growth in every local church!
Bless you!
