Let's take a look at how to grow the church. Really all we need to do is stick to a few things. Whenever you do something, always measure it against one standard. For following Jesus, making disciples, growing His kindom and reaching the lost we need to examine what works and what does not work. And the "Why" behind our actions.
The church in America today seems to think we need several t.v.'s in the church, coffee, a huge building, etc.
The first thing to keep the church healthy is it needs to be challenged to let go of the world. It needs to be challenged to follow Jesus. It needs to warned of the consequences of sin and to fear the Lord. This is a very unpopular message in today's church. However, it keeps us clinging to the good, which is in God and keeping in accordance with His word.
The church should fast periodically through the year as things come up. Fasting teaches us to deny our self and burn off fleshly desires. We also see in one of the gospels that it does something in spritual realm as well. Mark 9:29 Tells us this ..... He replied, "This kind can come out only by prayer." Referring to demons. Now, how they knew what kind of demon it is is another story. For this I do not know. The demons of today speak through t.v. and mock God. They desensitize christians to become like the world. We should be alert for what is going on around us and to preach / teach on sin and Satan is a very o.k. thing. Satan is very real. Just like if an Army goes to war against his enemy that army will study the enemy to know it's ways. Now, of course it is not all Satan, but some of the problem is I am in the flesh and a sinner, saved by grace. We should not use this as an excuse to go on sinning however. Too much of one and not the other is not good. We should continually be challenged to look within ourselves and see if we are walking in the faith.
Another key thing to grow the church is to do out right evangelism. This is going out into the community and sharing the gospel in an outright confrontational way. Not in a rude way, but simply to ask, "Do you believe in Jesus" or "Have you come to the place in your spiritual life where you know for certain if you were to die today you'd go to Heaven or is that something you'd say you are still working on? " There are a number of different evangelism programs your church can use. Remember, it is not just the pastors job to share the gospel. Each person should be able to do this.
Fellowship is important too. We should fellowship with other Christians on a regular and semi regular basis. It is good to have a bbq or see a musical together and just do an everyday activity. Say a prayer and get to know one and other as humans. Because though we are following Jesus as Lord, we are also human and need friends to walk with us along the way.
Another key thing is to have a prayer time. Yes, the church may be big, but you can break off into groups. This is good because we can hear each others hearts. Let's face it, sometimes we forget about things to pray for and Jesus said, "When two or more are gathered in my name, I am there in the midst".
These few things can help make your church grow. I'd recommend doing it on a regular basis for those who want to attend is have a prayer meeting every Wednesday. The Lord does work through prayers.
Also, stay in the bible. Read the bible. Have bible studies that make the people read and right. For example, a small workbook with questions and answers. I think Rose publishing has some of these or there are many others. This keeps people honest about why they are going to church. It keeps people in the word. Lectures are o.k., but they are not interactive. Interactive is on a deeper lever. Both are effective however, the lecture makes all in the audience passive most of the time. Yes,we get the occasional hand raising questions and answers. Perhaps your church works better this way because of it's size?
On your church bulletin put a scripture from the proverbs. Any one of them or a few of them. The people need to READ THE BIBLE. The church needs to stay away from all these books that are being written because what is happening is rather than read the bible, they read the books. Shouldn't the sheep be directed towards the Word of God FIRST ? Remember, Jesus warded off Satan 3 times with the word of the Lord for he said, "It is written" this from Matthew chapter 4.
Jesus Is Tested in the Wilderness
4 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted[a] by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’[b]”5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:
“‘He will command his angels concerning you,
and they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’[c]”
and they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’[c]”
7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’[d]”
8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’[e]”
11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.
Is there a famine of the Word of the Lord today ?
From this basis, work your way out. Start with God's word. God's Word should be written on our hearts. For David said this, "I have hidden your word in my hear that I might not sin against you." Psalm 119:11
You can also put a banner of scripture up on the walls of the church. Or put it in front of your church which all who drive by can see. Change it daily, you never know how far it can go .........
Another note : Solomon was the wisest man to ever live. He wrote the proverbs and Ecclesiastes. Teach these to the people that they might know the Lord. It says wisdom is better than silver or gold. Nothing you desire can compare to her. Remember too, the parable of the wise and foolish virgin. If God's people are not immersed in the word then what are they immersed in ?
We are living in really bad times spiritually.
