Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - Nov/79

Contributor - Siebrand Wilts

Title - Experience and Opportunity of the church in Winnipeg

Topic - Church Growth

What causes a church to grow? What are some of the practical aspects of reaching out into a community with the claims of Christ? Using the experience and opportunities of the Reformed Church in Winnipeg, I will try to answer some of these questions.

So that I may not be misunderstood, let me point out at the very beginning that although I am a believer in church growth and planning for church growth, it is God who gives us the authority, the power, and the mandate for reaching out. It is the Lord Jesus Christ who causes His church to grow. Before church growth can take place there must be a vision for growth. A congregation must recognize and see the need to reach out into the community. In order for this to happen, in order to have such a vision, the people, and especially those people in leadership positions must become possibility thinkers. They must dare to strike out, to move ahead, believing the Lord that their vision will become a reality.

Of course, dreams do not become realities without commitments. There must be, first of all, a commitment to our Lord Jesus Christ, but there must also be a commitment to make the church grow. Church growth is hard work. It does not happen without prayer, without realistic planning, without counting the cost. Questions such as - "Are our dreams realistic?" - "Is our congregation ready for church growth?" - "Are we prepared to pay the price?" need to be asked and answered.

We praise God that we were forced to ask these questions in Winnipeg. We were in a "do or die" situation. But as a result there is now a renewed hope and a new vision, not only for Elmwood, but for the whole city of Winnipeg. A survey of Winnipeg indicated that several growing areas of Winnipeg were under-churched. Charleswood, for example, has a population of 43,000 and is served by only eleven churches. In other words it is a prime area for a new church to start. It is by no means the only area in Winnipeg in which new churches ought to start; our goal is to eventually reach all the underchurched areas of Winnipeg.

How do we reach these growing areas? In our situation we simply moved in a person committed to Jesus Christ, to the Reformed faith, and to the principles of church growth. A home, easily found, suitable for a church office and counselling centre as well as for Bible study was rented by Mr. Jim Stein, our lay-pastor in Charleswood. Since he moved in at the beginning of August 1979, twice the area has been covered by promotional brochures and more are being planned. Ads are also placed on community bulletin boards.

Although both Sunday Morning worship services and mid-week Bible Study groups have been held since September 9, 1979, the main avenue for church growth seems to be through Bible Study. People are hungering for Word of God; a solid study based on the Bible appeals to many searching people. It is here that their real needs are met. In Elmwood we attempt to meet those same needs through a church school program for all ages. If a church is to grow there must be a commitment to a strong Christian education program for all ages. A program that allows all ages to come face to face with the Word of God.

Many books have been written about principles of church growth and effective church management. I believe that not only pastors but also those in leadership positions in our churches ought to read as many of these books as possible. Valuable insights can be gleaned ph from them.

Valuable insights can also be received from contacting growing churches. Before we began our new ministry in Winnipeg we contacted the Rev. M. M ; his information on programs that worked in Burnaby, B.C. and on those that did not work proved very valuable to us. We've also had the opportunity to discuss our program at Elmwood and at Charleswood with other church growth orientated pastors. Again, we have found their insights very useful.

A word must also be said about the following items:

1. Positive leadership: A church will not grow if the leadership doubts that church growth is possible. We must believe that God wants us to sow, cultivate and reap a rich harvest.

2. Realistic Goals: Each consistory or steering committee must set some realistic goals. These goals must be specific and may be re-defined from time to time. If a new program or a new work is to begin, it cannot begin on a "trial basis." There must be a well-thought-out plan of action.

3. Facilities: Without adequate facilities for Christian education worship, and fellowship, church growth becomes very difficult, if not impossible. In Elmwood we have just completed a building program based upon our projected needs and ministry.

4. Prayer: All ministry must be prayer orientated. "Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labour in vain." (Ps 127:1). Now the blessing of the Lord is dependent upon doing His will. God desires church growth; but he will not cause a church to grow unless it walks in His will and way.

5. Aim of Church Growth: Our first aim is not to establish another Reformed Church, but to establish a church where Christ is honoured and proclaimed.

I trust that these insights may be of benefit to the readers of Pioneer; if we can be of assistance to anyone, please let us know.

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