CHURCH GROWTH STRATEGIES

The Church of Christ is a living entity with the fact that, the church isn’t the building housing the people, but Church is the people meeting in a building. One of the characteristics of a living thing is the ability to grow and develop.

The church is the body of Christ, which has the capacity to grow because it’s a living entity. Christ is the head and we are the body. The body cannot grow without a head. The church simply means, the called out, which in Greek is ecclesia.

Now, why should the church grow? In Genesis after God made man, He blessed them and said; “ be fruitful, multiply and replenish the earth…” everything God does has a blessing for expansion. Jesus said to his disciples in Mathew 28:19, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:”
That scripture is a proof of the need for the Church to expand locally and globally.
What are the most effective strategies to reach the nations for Christ and grow the local assembly even by the teachings of Jesus Christ?

The Holy Spirit :
Before Jesus ascended into heaven, He instructed His disciples to tarry in Jerusalem for the most important moments of the Church. It was a strategic moment that would release them into spiritual success and growth for the body of Christ.

Luke 24:48,"And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high."
The above scripture speaks of the Holy Spirit, which in Acts 2, the Lord sent to them. The Holy Spirit is the essence of the Church and the help of the Church of Christ.
After the coming of the Holy Spirit, the timid Church became a vibrant one. They spoke the gospel of Christ without fear and mighty miracles were wrought in the presence of the people.

Teaching The Word:
Mark 16:15, “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”
One very undeniable way to make disciples is in the teaching of the Word of Christ. The Word of God is a power carrier. Many have been convicted and converted by the word of God. A good teaching congregation will likely retain her membership than any other. The Word of God illuminates darkness and brings freedom to her hearers.
John 8:32, “32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

Love Expressed:
The Church is an institution of love. It born out of love and will continue to grow through love. The early Church after Pentecost displayed a great degree of love amongst themselves. Everyone desires to be loved, even the unloving wants to be loved. Love is the strongest tool to win the heart of people.
Acts 4:32, “And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.”

Be Creative:
The Church is not outside of its society, but should not also be influenced by it. The Church must find the modern and creative way to reach out to the people. It must create good standards void of compromise (godly standards). The Church must creatively engage the youths and make them welcomed without breaking spiritual rules.
1Tim. 4:14, “Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you.”
Young people should be encouraged to use their gifts for the service of the kingdom of God.

Discipleship:
Disciples are disciplined followers of what they believe. A local assembly must do a lot to raise disciples; men and women who are sold out to the vision. Note the word; DISCIPLINED. A disciple is more than a member, he is a leader in his own right. A Church that raises disciples will not lack in growth. Jesus said, “ …make disciple of all nations…”

Prayer:
A non praying Church is like a car without gasoline. Prayer is the energy that provides movement or growth in the Church. Create a vibrant intercessory unit in the Church and encourage them.
James 5:16, “ The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working].AMP

Dynamic Worship:
Intense worship session during Church meetings brings down the presence of God, which in turn releases the Power of God upon the life of the people. The Bible says; “…God inhabit the praise of His saints.”
With the above strategies, I am confident that your assembly is ready for new dimension in Church growth. These aren’t the only strategies, but I shall give us more in my subsequent articles. God bless you!

THE POWER OF CONSISTENCY

One day, I discovered a leakage in my bathroom shower and decided to put a bucket under the dropping. The water droplets dropped every seven seconds consistently. As I kept observing the dropping, my mind began to think about the possibility of my bucket getting full as long as it’s under the dropping and as long as the water keeps dropping.

Impacts are made through consistency and availability. It is important for us to understand the power of being consistent in whatever we are called to do and every assignment given to us.

What Is Consistency?
It is to be orderly, regular, constant, stable and unwavering.
1Cor. 15:58, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”
There is grace made available for being consistent. It is a thing of decision to be constant in what you believe in.  There is reward for being consistent.

Imagine two people who were asked to fill up a  bowl each with water from the shower as explained above, and one decides to wait until there is a rushing flow of water before putting his bowl under, and at the end of the day there was no such flow. The one waiting for a big flow will go home with nothing, because he doesn’t believe in being consistent with little things or beginnings.
Being consistent makes you a Master in your field of life. It gives you an edge over inconsistent opponents. It makes you a brand, because you are always there. Ultimately it brings you gain.

Do not give up on  your dreams, do not give up in your prayers, do not give up in the study of God’s Word. Keep practicing that skill of yours.

Great Olympiads are men and women who consistently did what others inconsistently do. They are champions because they gave what champions give.

“You are not a Master in what you just did just once.”

Even our Lord Jesus Christ was consistent in His assignment on earth. He took the kingdom business so serious that I wouldn’t bother to eat.
“Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.” John 4:34

Keep doing it , keep availing yourself no matter how big or small the assignment may be.