Growing a church: What methods do you use?

[Frame1520]

Just curious, as I come from a smaller church that is trying to grow; what have your experiences been in growing a church, and most importantly, winning people to christ.

[seekingpurity047]

Just curious, as I come from a smaller church that is trying to grow; what have your experiences been in growing a church, and most importantly, winning people to christ.

Really, all that I can say is: Prayer.

[WesWoodell]

Relational evangelism.

The minister should be focused on equipping the church members to evangelize themselves. Basically, befriend others and share the gospel with them.

I have some great studies I use if you're in need.

[Frame1520]

Relational evangelism.

The minister should be focused on equipping the church members to evangelize themselves. Basically, befriend others and share the gospel with them.

I have some great studies I use if you're in need.

Definately agree with that concept. We've done a great deal of that. The trick really is getting people to buy into it, and use the training they have recieved. Last year's theme was "Thinking outside the sanctuary". It received limited results, mainly because people were just not reaching out to people. (Some people were, but not as many as we'd hoped). This year's theme is "A Year of Prayer". We just decided to put it all in God's hands, since God grows churches, no one else. People are starting to come, and we're doing a good job with the visitors. I'm pleased with things at this point. Good ideas though. :)

[WesWoodell]

Definately agree with that concept. We've done a great deal of that. The trick really is getting people to buy into it, and use the training they have recieved. Last year's theme was "Thinking outside the sanctuary". It received limited results, mainly because people were just not reaching out to people. (Some people were, but not as many as we'd hoped). This year's theme is "A Year of Prayer". We just decided to put it all in God's hands, since God grows churches, no one else. People are starting to come, and we're doing a good job with the visitors. I'm pleased with things at this point. Good ideas though. :)
Yeah - you can't teach evangelism in a classroom or Bible class.

The best thing you can do is to get someone who is an effective evangelist and have him disciple two or three people.

If there's ever a Bible study with a non-Christian it should not be 1 on 1 - it should be 2 on 1 with the 2 consisting of the teacher and his "apprentice."

I've learned that if I can teach someone in that active environment it does 2 things:

1) They learn how to actively have a spiritual dialogue with someone and through that share with them the gospel.

And 2) If the study goes well and the person is converted (which happens 9 out of 10 times) then the "apprentice" gets fired up to evangelize.

It really is hard to motivate an entire congregation unless they can actively participate in what's going on ... unfortunantly only so much can be learned in the classroom ...

[Mrs. Enigma]

Just curious, as I come from a smaller church that is trying to grow; what have your experiences been in growing a church, and most importantly, winning people to christ.


Well, I grew up in a small church, around 50 members. My dad was the minister my whole life. It seems like if it gets more members a split happens.

We certainly tried passing out tracts, having fair booths, etc.

I think that pretty much everyone that wanted to be converted, already was converted.

[Frame1520]

Yeah - you can't teach evangelism in a classroom or Bible class.

The best thing you can do is to get someone who is an effective evangelist and have him disciple two or three people.

If there's ever a Bible study with a non-Christian it should not be 1 on 1 - it should be 2 on 1 with the 2 consisting of the teacher and his "apprentice."

I've learned that if I can teach someone in that active environment it does 2 things:

1) They learn how to actively have a spiritual dialogue with someone and through that share with them the gospel.

And 2) If the study goes well and the person is converted (which happens 9 out of 10 times) then the "apprentice" gets fired up to evangelize.

It really is hard to motivate an entire congregation unless they can actively participate in what's going on ... unfortunantly only so much can be learned in the classroom ...

Those are some really effective points. Something I'm getting ready to embark upon is creating a new home bible study. Haven't decided format yet though. I'm open to suggestions. I was kind of leaning towards a shorter study with a majority focus on group prayer. But I'd like some ideas, if anyone has any.:clap:

[WesWoodell]

Those are some really effective points. Something I'm getting ready to embark upon is creating a new home bible study. Haven't decided format yet though. I'm open to suggestions. I was kind of leaning towards a shorter study with a majority focus on group prayer. But I'd like some ideas, if anyone has any.:clap:
I'm very much into small groups that meet in homes aside from Sunday worship with the congregation.

I'd be happy to share with you ... I'll get back to you later on that though ... I'm extremely tired right now (just got in from a 16 hour day).

[Gargantuas]

Prayer has already been said, so let me second the motion and testify to its results.

I have seen more power through prayer than any programs.

[cremi]

Prayer of course works, as well as small groups, etc...but I think the essential thing is to allow the Holy Spirit to work freely in a group of people. So many times we "quench" the Spirit--asking for answers and then we He gives them, we wonder why our prayers are not answered.

I guess what I'm saying is that your small groups will work better if the Spirit is allowed to work through the people in the group. The methods for leading someone to Christ are fine, but the Holy Spirit is the one who moves people to make those decisions.

I think we also need to remember that our job is to plant the seeds. God is the one who will give the increase!

[Frame1520]

Prayer of course works, as well as small groups, etc...but I think the essential thing is to allow the Holy Spirit to work freely in a group of people. So many times we "quench" the Spirit--asking for answers and then we He gives them, we wonder why our prayers are not answered.

I guess what I'm saying is that your small groups will work better if the Spirit is allowed to work through the people in the group. The methods for leading someone to Christ are fine, but the Holy Spirit is the one who moves people to make those decisions.

I think we also need to remember that our job is to plant the seeds. God is the one who will give the increase!

I'm not sure if I understand how you let the holy spirit work thru you? I understand the holy spirit, but can you help me with what you mean exactly?

If a group of believers is meeting (ie: small groups we've started), praying together, and helping each other grow in Christ, along with the knowledge of the scriptures, are we not letting the spirit work thru us? The spirit works in helping us to understand the scriptures, is that a correct analysis? I'd like very much to hear some more insight of how one is to let the spirit work. Thanks for your reply, btw!

[cremi]

I'm not sure if I understand how you let the holy spirit work thru you? I understand the holy spirit, but can you help me with what you mean exactly?

If a group of believers is meeting (ie: small groups we've started), praying together, and helping each other grow in Christ, along with the knowledge of the scriptures, are we not letting the spirit work thru us? The spirit works in helping us to understand the scriptures, is that a correct analysis? I'd like very much to hear some more insight of how one is to let the spirit work. Thanks for your reply, btw!Yes...everything you've said. The HS speaks through the scriptures, in prayer.

I guess what I have experienced much in churches is that they pray about growth, but then come up with more "programs". I personally, don't think that is Spirit-led. Being Spirit-led means you are tuned in to "listening" to his voice.

An example: A few weeks ago, my husband was praying during one of the worship services. He did not know why, but he suddenly felt "nudged' to give a single mom that we know, a check. He wrote out the check and gave it to her. Turns out that that very morning, she had been praying about a financial need and the amount that he gave her was the exact amount she needed. That was the HS moving in my dh.

So how do you do that? I wish I had an exact formula. I don't. What I do know is that the pricking of your consciece, the nudging that you feel and ignore, are in essence an ignoring of the HS in your life. I think that constant prayer and studying, seeking communion with God daily, really leads you to be more aware of the HS working in our lives daily.

When the HS is alive in you, then your faith is alive and active and that is when people want to know what you've got...

It's kind of like people who see my dh and I together. They want to know WHY we act like we are crazy about each other after 18 years of marriage.

Does that make sense?

[Frame1520]

Yep makes sense to me. I agree programs are not the answer, that would be, unless God leads you to start a program, lead a program, etc.

Too many churches take prayer too lightly, and do not emphasize its importance and effectiveness. James 5:17 says the prayer of a righteous man is both powerful and effective. Makes sense to me! People need to let God out of the box they hold him in.