fgrowth must be based on truth – not gimmicks! fnot just growth – but the right kind of growth!!...

Growth MUST BE Based On Truth – Not Gimmicks!

Not Just Growth – But The Right Kind Of Growth!!

The Need For Edification –

The Need For Evangelism –

The Need To Provide An Environment For Growth!

To have a successful, growing, vibrant church, it is essential to observe successful, growing

churches, and to learn from their

most productive and successful methods!

http://church-growth-marketing.com/

http://church-growth-marketing.com/

Rick Burgess, of the Rick and Bubba morning radio program will be preaching

at Homewood church of Christ in Birmingham AL for their homecoming. Rick, who is not shy when it comes to

telling about his adherence to the Baptist doctrine, will be given the floor to tell his story of his faith and how he walks with

Jesus.

"Please join us Sunday, October 15 during our 10 AM Service to hear Rick Burgess share the story of his faith and his walk

with Jesus.“ 10/10/2006 – Gospel Preachers List/

http://www.homewoodchurch.org/templates/cushomewoodcoc/default.asp?id=32158

Acts 2:47 (NKJV) praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

Acts 4:4 (NKJV) However, many of those who heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.

Acts 6:7 (NKJV) Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.

Acts 9:31 (NKJV) Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.

Individual spiritual Individual spiritual growth - growth - Commitment - Mat 6:33Commitment - Mat 6:33

Through teaching - Heb Through teaching - Heb 5:12; Eph 4:1-165:12; Eph 4:1-16

Through providing Through providing opportunities to utilize opportunities to utilize talents – Mat 25:14-30talents – Mat 25:14-30

Through training – Eph Through training – Eph 4:11-164:11-16

Accomplished through Accomplished through love - 1 Cor 8:1; Eph 4:16love - 1 Cor 8:1; Eph 4:16

Honey I Shrunk the Church

Part 2 - The Chicken or the Egg?

by Allen Ratta Egg Laying

The oft recited, "which came first, the chicken or the egg," riddle is easy for those who understand biblical creationism. God made

chickens first. . . . If the sequencing is right, things have a way of taking care of themselves.

For example, when one has healthy chickens there will be no

shortage of eggs or those to hatch them.

Honey I Shrunk the Church

Part 2 - The Chicken or the Egg?

by Allen Ratta Egg Laying

The oft recited, "which came first, the chicken or the egg," riddle is easy for those who understand biblical creationism. God made

chickens first. . . . If the sequencing is right, things have a way of taking care of themselves.

For example, when one has healthy chickens there will be no

shortage of eggs or those to hatch them.

The Institute For American Church Growth asked over 10,000 people this question: "What was responsible for your coming to Christ and this church?" • I had a special need - 3% • I just walked in - 3% • I liked the minister - 6% • I visited there - 1% • I liked the Bible classes - 5% • I attended a gospel meeting - 0.5% • I liked the programs - 3% • A friend or relative invited me - 79%

Qualified Leadership – 1 Tim 3:1-7; Tit 1:5-9

Substantive Preaching – 2 Tim 4:2

Edifying Bible Classes – Eph 4:12

Heartfelt Worship – John 4:24

Inspiring relationships – Rom 12:5-10

Enthusiastic Teamwork – Rom 12:5-8; Eph 4:16

DesireDesire

PrioritiesPriorities

Commitment Commitment

DedicationDedication

KnowledgeKnowledge

ExecutionExecution

The Great Commission - Mark 16:15-16

Church is Pillar & Ground of Truth - 1 Tim 3:15

Early Disciples Spread the Word - Acts 8:4

The Great Commission - Mark 16:15-16

Church is Pillar & Ground of Truth - 1 Tim 3:15

Early Disciples Spread the Word - Acts 8:4

Radio Program Bring Others to Regular

Services Gospel Meeting Home Bible Studies Tracts / BCC / Videos Tapes - CD’s Website /

www.w65stchurchofchrist.org

Radio Program Bring Others to Regular

Services Gospel Meeting Home Bible Studies Tracts / BCC / Videos Tapes - CD’s Website /

www.w65stchurchofchrist.org

Lack of Lack of RespectRespect

Pride Pride Ignorance of Ignorance of

ScriptureScripture Lack of FaithLack of Faith WorldlinessWorldliness Lack of Lack of

CommitmentCommitment Lack of Zeal Lack of Zeal Lack of LoveLack of Love Gossip/Gossip/

BackbitingBackbiting

Respect For Respect For GodGod

HumilityHumility Knowledge of Knowledge of

ScriptureScripture Increasing Increasing

FaithFaith SpiritualitySpirituality Commitment to Commitment to

ServiceService Zeal Zeal LoveLove EncouragemenEncouragemen

tt

Proper Spiritual FoodProper Spiritual Food - 1 Pet. 2:1-2; Heb. 5:13-14; Psa. 119: 9; 11, 49-50, 105, 130; Eph. 4:14

Involvement of all –Involvement of all – 1 Cor 12:24-27; Ephe 4:16

An Atmosphere of Love -An Atmosphere of Love - Jn. 15:12; Gal. 5:15; 1 Cor. 12:26; 1 Peter 1:22

DisciplineDiscipline - Heb. 12:5-11; Gal. 6:1-2; 2 Tim. 4:2; 2 Cor. 2:1-6; Jas. 5:16

• Meets Needs?

• Neatness & Cleanliness?

• Dark or Bright?

• Sufficient Space?

• Location – Accessible, Visible and Safe?

• Conveniences?

• Meets Needs?

• Neatness & Cleanliness?

• Dark or Bright?

• Sufficient Space?

• Location – Accessible, Visible and Safe?

• Conveniences?

Preach Jesus With The Same Fervor and Love For The Lost As Our First Century Brethren!

Do Those Things That Promote Growth Rather Than Hinder It!

Provide An Atmosphere Conducive To Spiritual Growth!

Why We Are NotConverting The World

I. World Is Not Interested In The GospelI. World Is Not Interested In The Gospel

Why such little interest?– Cares of the world (Luke 8:14; Phil. 2:21)

– Gospel demands changes – love darkness (John 3:19)

– False sense of security (Jer. 6:14; 8:11)

– Not popular (Matt. 7:13-14; John 1:11-12; 6:66)


Why such little interest?Our job – not to convert, but teach

– Command is to teach (Mark 16:15)

– Even if don’t listen – done our job (Ezek. 3:16-21)

– Jesus taught many turned away (John 1:11-12)

– Crowds rejected the apostles (Acts 13:45; 17:32)


Why such little interest?Our job – not to convert, but teachThe “unlikely” just may listen & obey

– Religious – Cornelius (Acts 10)– Non-Religious – Simon (Acts 8:9-13)– Worldly – Corinthians ( Acts 18:8; 1 Cor. 6:9-11)– Ignorant – Jews (Acts 2:23; 3:17)– Mean & Hateful – Saul (Acts 8:3; 9:1-2; 1 Tim. 1:15)– Political – Jailor (Acts 16:31-33)




II. Don’t View The World As LostII. Don’t View The World As Lost

World is lost in sin– All men are sinners (Rom. 3:9, 23; 1 Jn. 5:14)

– Sin separates from God (Isa. 59:1-2; Jas. 1:15)

– If die in sin – hell fire (Rom. 6:23; 2 Thess. 1:7-9)

– Reason Jesus came to earth (Matt. 18:11; Lk 19:10)


Any One Who Has NotObeyed The Gospel

Is Lost& Needs The Gospel

World is lost in sinHow we view people of the world

– Good people

– Believe different than we do

– Focus on friendship, likeable, good moral qualities

– Little or no attention to the fact – they are LOST!


May be because our focus is on the here and now!

World is lost in sinHow we view people of the worldMotivated to greater evangelism

– If viewed the people from - spiritual condition– If view them without hope (Eph. 2:12)– If view them on road to hell (Rev. 21:8)





III. Message Preached Is Not RedemptionIII. Message Preached Is Not Redemption

Gospel Message – Redemption / Salvation– Power unto salvation (Rom. 1:16-17)

– How we are saved (1 Cor. 15:1-4)– 1st Gospel sermon – salvation from sin (Acts 2)– Sermon on Mars Hill – salvation (Acts 17:22-31)– 1st Sermon to Gentiles (Acts 10:34-48)– Sermon in Antioch on 1st Journey (Acts 13:16-41)– Books like Romans, Galatians, Ephesians, Colossians,

etc. have themes about salvation.


Gospel Message – Redemption / SalvationGospel Demands Change of Life

– Repentance (Acts 2:38; 17:30-31)

– Stop & cease sin (Rom. 6)

– Give up old religion (1 Thess. 1:9)

– Start doing things to serve God (Acts 26:17-20)


Gospel Message – Redemption / SalvationGospel Demands Change of LifeMessage Has Shifted - Social

– More on relationships

– How to be a better person

– “Feel Good” preaching

– Topics: Depression, Coping, Aging, etc.






IV. Content To “Keep House”IV. Content To “Keep House”

What mean by “keeping house”?– Assemble, worship – do little more

– Maintain “status quo”

– Thinking: We have a church – place to worship – so we meet Sunday & Wednesday do nothing more.

– No effort to reach the lost

– Have Gospel Meetings – little advertising – expect world to come – if brethren from other places come - success


What mean by “keeping house”?Why are we content?

– Don’t want to grow – don’t like “big” churches

– Think our mission to mere show up at worship

– Don’t worry about growth if numbers stay about same

– View church as a religious club


What mean by “keeping house”?Why are we content? A Church that didn’t keep house


Church at AntiochActs 13






V. Fear Of Offending & Alienating OthersV. Fear Of Offending & Alienating Others

Fear of offending– Gospel will offend (Luke 12:53; Acts 13:45-48)

– Gospel is distinctive & narrow (1 John 4:1, 6)

– Gospel convicts world of sin (John 16:8; Acts 2:37)

– Fear of making folks mad – upsetting them• Uncomfortable when bring a friend and sermon deals with….

• Afraid “turn them off” or they will dislike us

– Many have been converted – first got mad!


Fear of offendingFear of Alienating a friend

– Gospel will alienate people (Luke 12:53)

– If try to convert friend or family – could cause a strain

– So, deem it not worth the risk (cf. Lk 16:28)


What Can We Do?

• Become more of an evangelist church

• Try to reach family, friends with gospel

• Tell others about radio program

• Set up Home Bible Studies

• Bring someone to a Gospel Meeting

• Bring someone to a service

• Talk to others about Bible questions

fgrowth must be based on truth – not gimmicks! fnot just growth – but the right kind of growth!!...

Documents

american church growth

vibrant church

homewood church of christ

word acts

right kind of growth

training eph

word of god

edifying bible classes