Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - Nov/79

Contributor - John Moerman

Title - A Theology of Church Growth

Topic - Church Growth

"Church Growth" is a new name but certainly not a new work. Many mainline churches seem to prefer this term above the older and more familiar one, viz. "Evangelism". Be that as it may, in this article I like to set forth a few thoughts on the scriptural aspects of this now so commonly used term "Church Growth".

The Church's great commission and mandate

I believe that the theological basis for church growth is Jesus' commission and mandate to those whom he called to be his followers. Most Christians are familiar with the words, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of . . ." (Matth 28:18-20). There is no inherent uncertainty or weakness here; it is the opposite: Jesus spoke with definiteness and power! Also, he granted power and authority to those whom he called to be his workers and witnesses.

Before preceding with the reading of these remarks I would like you to read the great commission and mandate as this is recorded in Mark 16: 15-18. Most Christians are not as familiar with these words, right? Bible critics and commentators, theologians and church leaders are responsible for this. Somehow, many of us have been secretly breathing a sigh of relief that some manuscripts do not contain these verses, - all the way from 9-20. What is recorded there is a bit of "a hot potato"; we could live more comfortably with Matthew's version. I accept Marks's words of the great commission and mandate as fully as Matthew's; for the simple reason both accounts fit in beautifully with what we read in the rest of the holy scriptures.

The Power behind the commission and mandate

Toward the close of our Redeemer's earthly ministry Jesus revealed the Source of this authority and power; He spoke of the promised Holy Spirit, descending upon all and everyone of God's children. The prophet Joel had spoken about this glory and power centuries before (2:28-29). In Luke 24:48-49 Jesus said to those who were to be his witnesses......... I send the promise of my Father upon you; but stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high." When I first preached on this word some 20 years ago, it struck me and shook me. Also the practical truth has been with me every since, growing on me as God confirmed the reality over and over. In Acts 1:4-5 Luke repeats this statement, or better it is Jesus who repeats the statement once again. The very fulfilment of this promise came in all its fullness on the day of Pentecost. We read, "And they were all with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance" (2:4). Indeed, what Joel had prophesied was being fulfilled. Indeed, what Jesus said is coming to pass everywhere, including in our day and age. Hallelujah!

All empowering for going out with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and winning people for Jesus is done by the Holy Spirit, working in and through his witnesses, as much today as when this witness began in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and beyond during the early Christian era. It is vital and essential to keep this in mind. "Church Growth" does not just happen when money and methods are available. Christ's witnesses must "be clothes with power from on high" as much today as during apostolic and post-apostolic times. This is what makes me claim that our institutional structures should be organic and charismatic, whereas the entire life and ministry of the Body of Jesus Christ should be based on the granting and use of spiritual gifts.

The message and the means of the Kingdom

Evangelism or "church growth" cannot be understood or practiced apart from Jesus' first sending out of his followers on their Kingdom mission. Already as if it were in advance of Pentecost, Jesus granted them spiritual powers and authority! And what we read about the 12 we also read about the mission of the 70! Again, before preceding with the rest of my remarks I request you to read the following passages (in their context), please: Matth. 10:1,7-8; Mark 6:7,12-13; Luke 9:1, 6; 10:1-9,17; Acts 3:1-10; 4:29-31; 5:12-16; 6:8; 8:4-8; 10:44-48; 14:8-10; 16:18-19; 19:11-12; 28:7-9. Because of the above passages my theology of "church growth" includes Mark 16:15-18, even as James 5:13-18. Furthermore, I fully accept and embrace as practical theology for evangelism or church growth I Cor. 12-14! (Note that I look upon chapters 12 through 14 as one unit) I believe that here is a lesson for our church today: the abundant out-pouring of the Holy Spirit produced abundant gifts and love and healings.

Are we ready to experience with childlike faith "what is the immeasurable greatness of His power in us who believe"" And that this Source of power is the same that God exerted when he raised Jesus Christ from the dead. (Ephes, 1: 1 920). Have we begun to fathom the privilege and glory that is ours in Christ Jesus? Do we believe with a practical kind of faith and power that those who have been born anew and filled with the Spirit have become "partakers of the divine nature"? (2 Pet. 1:3-11)

Church Growth Programs and Kingdom of God

The commission and mandate to evangelize the world, winning people for Jesus causing them to experience the reality of the Kingdom of God, comes to the Church in "package form"; it is the message and is empowering, Empowering to me stands for "mission". The Holy Spirit empowers both the word as well as the work. Please, take your bible and read Rom. 1: 16; Jer. 23:29; John 1: 12-13; Hebr. 4:12-13. The above passages speak of the power of the Word of God. The Holy Spirit empowers the word as well as the work God gives us to speak and do. How much have we dare to make use of the total package?

Are we setting limitations bv way of "church growth" programs (mechanism and structure) to what God is saying and doing here and there in every denomination? It can easily be done. In fact, natural man cannot do much else. How many social/humanistic type of programs have we substituted (programs that may or may not be wrong in themselves) in order to make up for the loss of spiritual authority and Kingdom power that the Holy Spirit offers the Body of Jesus Christ? I ask for openness for what I believe is an ignoring of a vital element in Kingdom work and church growth. One of the writers of a number of books I have been reading during the summer months (Howard A. Snyder) puts it this way, "The character of Jesus Christ is the standard for the church." I believe that the exercise of the gifts of the Holy Spirit are signs of the reality of the "Kingdom of God within/ among us" (Luke 17:21). I look upon it also as a sign of "having the mind of Christ" (I Cor. 2:16) and having been able "to put on the new nature, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness" (Ephes. 4:23 & Col. 3:10). The apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthian Christians, "The Kingdom of God does not consist in talk, but in power" (I Cor. 4:20). Let it be said of the community of God's people today what was said of Peter and John when those bound by tradition at last had to acknowledge something, "They recognized that they had been with Jesus" (Acts 4:13). Simply said, this is an essential part of my theology of church growth.

When I think and speak of "Church Growth" I find it helpful to live and practice "Kingdom Business". For "Church Growth" can be studied statistically, but this cannot be done with "Kingdom of God" and "Body of Christ". A few weeks ago I sent a congratulatory message to one of my nephews in Holland in lieu of his ordination to the gospel ministry. A couple of days ago he replied with a letter in which one sentence stood out: "Het geloof is niet in getallen te vangen." (Faith cannot be caught/expressed in numbers). When you and I want to think of the Church of Jesus Christ the way the apostles and early Christians did, we have to think of it in terms of the Kingdom of God. This is the way to get the correct picture. All other pictures are either dwarfed or warped. Unless the membership of the church has the perspective of the Kingdom of God there is no Eternal Life abiding within.

"Church Growth" can be started, promoted, and manipulated, too, by human ways and means, techniques and figures, structures and goals; even by the will-power of the "old man" zeal of the "flesh". There can be too much emphasis on quantity instead of quality. "Body of Christ", "Kingdom of God", and "Community of God's People" speak of the latter.

The methods, techniques, structures, goals, etc. of "Church Growth" are to have a functional relevancy and no more. These ways and means are to be distinguished from the essence of the Church of Jesus Christ. Kingdom growth is always inevitably true to the very nature of the King. "Church Growth" can never claim this. The institutional/organizational church therefore must be constantly on guard that the "Agenda" it deals with has not been written by the world.

When we think and talk of "Church Growth" we are often hard pressed where the main emphasis lies, is it on the "mechanics" of the financial campaign, or on the empowering of of those who are Christ's witnesses? It should be abundantly clear what the all important power is. It is not the mechanics of the campaign, it is the Message of the Master. I have the uneasy feeling that too much time and talent, energy and money is "professionally" spend on the organizational and structural/part of the church growth campaign, in comparison with the full use and the power of the Word and employment of the gifts of the Spirit. This is where grassroot members of the Body of Christ some to talk about cumbersome, bureaucratic type of church 11 machinery", trying to operate it, using God's money, "oiling" it as it creaks along, and then grinds to a halt for another "repair . . . Techniques and methods and structures, etc. may "pay" and "work" for shorter or longer periods of time, but the telling question still is: Are we seeking the manifestation of the Kingdom of God? Are we reaching out in Jesus' Name and power? Are we building up the Body of Christ? Is this an expression of the Community of God's people? (Read here also the CHURCH HERALD editorial by Dr. John Stapert, Sept. 7, 1979.)

New wine in new wineskins!

We are having a problem with the "wineskins". We insist to keep on using old and patched up "wineskins". Jesus said the opposite: New wine belongs in new wineskins! (Matth. 9:14 - 17). In and through Jesus Christ all things have become new' cf. Gal. 2:20 & 2 Cor. 5:17. the new life in Jesus Christ calls for new ways to give expression to the powerful transformation that has been brought about, by God's people who have been baptized in the Holy Spirit and who are repeatedly being filled anew with the Holy Spirit.

At times this may be referred to as "post-conversion experiences". Praise God for them! Many of the "old models" of the institutional church (mainline churches included), leave little or no room for this type of new praise and power, new freedom and spontaneity. Where there is a clear evidence of "new wine", a patched UP, and old and traditional type of wineskin" will no longer suffice! Often, the "new wine" then is being "spilled", (while many mainline churches become weaker and poorer on account of it). There should be a great, warm welcome and ample room for new expressions by new christians, - whether this concerns worship and praise, Or participation during the service and group sharing during the week. In fact, there is increasing evidence that small group bible studies, prayer and share communities, are becoming the backbone of the congregational life. Let us welcome and awaken God-given spiritual gifts so that more and more members will come to receive and employ them freely. This way there shall also be a warm welcome for those who can testify about conversion and post-conversion experiences.

It is my conviction that the Holy Spirit, by way of the Holy Scriptures and affirmations within the Body of Christ, is calling all of us to consider new ways that give beautiful expression to the new life in Christ Jesus; - ways that are "elastic", like the new wineskins Jesus talked about in his Parable. This type of new praise and power, faith and joy, love and exuberance may cause old structures to crumble, out-worn traditions to fall, and the letting go of some extra-biblical doctrine or theology; however, this "loss" is gain, for the "new wine" is being preserved for use instead of "spilled". When starting new churches the "wineskins" must be fully elastic!

"Jesus Christ the same, yesterday, today, and forever"

We must be extremely careful to not culturally determine the truth and fullness of God's Word and , Spirit, and with this our mandate and mission. Peoples and cultures change, so do governments and churches, structures and traditions; even theology and doctrine are subject to certain changes.

However, amidst all these changes we hear the unchangeable and re-assuring word of Hebrews 13:8. I take this to mean that the promises of God's Word and Spirit, are to be claimed in all their fullness and glory by the entire Body of Jesus Christ today as well! And this to me is the theology of church growth and evangelizing the world.

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