I have no idea what scriptures are the best for growing churches, BECAUSE there are so many of them. Just go through the Book of ACTS and any of the epistles. They give really great insight as to how to start and grow churches. However, Greater Harvest Church Growth Ministries is supported by two main scriptures: Matthew 28:18-20 and ACTS 2:42-47.
Matthew 28:18-20 – The Great Command
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples …
ACTS 2:42-48 – The Fellowship of the Believers
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their numbers “daily” those who were being saved.
Matthew is fulfilled when you will invite, invite, and invite visitors that you know and visitors you do not know. This leads you on the road to making disciples. Look for people who are not saved. Jesus claimed (Matthew 9:37) that the harvest was plentiful. So, you ought to be able to “continuously” find people to invite to your church. Develop a plan to show and train your members how to bring people to church. Don’t forget that when members are “activated” and shown how to do this, members will bring visitors. Part of the reason why most members don’t bring visitors is that they just don’t know how to “get” visitors to come.
Next, ACTS. WOW!!! And the Lord added to their numbers “daily” those being saved. How can you even begin to go wrong when Pastors and members develop a fellowship of Believers?
Obviously, these 2 scriptures speak to the importance of growing through visitors and fellowship. When a church learns how to epitomize doing both, a church will grow. You better believe it. I’ve seen it.
To learn more about “activating” and training your members to grow your church and developing a “tight-knit” core of Believers, set up a free Discovery call with Dr. Tillman at www.greaterharvestministries.com
Be Blessed and pass this email on to just “one” other Senior Leader.
Rev. Dr. Beverly Tillman