Church growth principles that are real and work (Part 1)

POJU OYEMADE·WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 2016

Its been said that among the thousands of ideas men have experimented with in order to grow ministries, only very few have generated most of the spiritual value on the earth today.

It is important that every leader in any field they find themselves, seek to find the thoughts and principles that have worked in building up that particular sector. Without a clear knowledge of what went before, it will be practically impossible to advance the course of humanity in that area. Find the proven ideas that have generated most of the benefit in that field and then build on those.

Job 8: 7-11 says

“Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase. For enquire, I pray thee, of the former age, and prepare thyself to the search of their fathers: (For we are but of yesterday, and know nothing, because our days upon earth are a shadow:) Shall not they teach thee, and tell thee, and utter words out of their heart? Can the rush grow up without mire? can the flag grow without water?”

Then Jesus put it this way to His disciples in the gospels, John 4:35-38

“Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth. I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours.”

Its important we learn from history to build a brighter and more powerful future.

Here are a few lessons on what affects the growth of a Church or ministry.

1. The Pastor of the church must understand his role and pay the necessary price for the church to grow. His responsibility is to feed the sheep and so his presence is required in the place. You cannot successfully build a church and be absent half of the year from your congregation. You must resist the lure to travel the world ministering at the expense of your congregation.

2. Feed on right material. Study, meditate and work on messages of ministries that went before, who were at the cutting edge of what God was doing in their generation. You get “saved” by listening to those who got saved by what they taught. Paul told Timothy, meditate on these things that ye might save yourself and them that hear thee. Listen to ministers who have experienced what they are teaching.

3. Conflict through gossip is the number one reason why people exit a church, the second is when the pastor or leadership don’t manage conflict issues the right way i.e poor people skills in resolving conflicts that majorly stem out of gossip. Leadership must act fast on matters that border on gossip. The tongue James said is a little spark that can set the whole cycle of man’s existence on fire, by the fire fed from hell. Gossip is one of the primary ways the presence of God in a place gets weakened considerably. As a leader you cannot have a talebearer as a friend it will damage your credibility with those you lead.

4. Make sure prayer is an integral part of your church or ministry’s culture. Praying must never be undermined or seem to be ridiculed on the pulpit. There can be no effective christian discipleship without the practice of praying regularly. An effective praying church starts with a praying pastor.

5. Appointment of people into leadership positions i.e positions of responsibility cannot be overemphasized. Faith gives you the innitial breakthrough, governance through wisdom multiplies your results. Do not give positions based on social status or as a way of retaining a big financial contributor to your ministry. People are intelligent and they will see through your hypocrisy. This however is not advocating against the wealthy who may be qualified by character and gifting for a position, some folks will find the wealthy intimidating. Simply do not discriminate based on worldly standards.

6. You cannot pour new wine into old wine skins, learning to manage the old when new folks arrive will probably be your most challenging wisdom test as growth begins. You will need wisdom to manage the old folks in your church when the new and maybe more vibrant people arrive. You will need to tap into the energy the new are bringing but the culture of the old is needed for stability. This conflict between the old and the new has fractured many churches, Charles Finney speaks extensively about his experience in his biography.

To be cont’d