Natural Church Development

Growing a church can be such an uphill battle!

Some church growth concepts are so focused on the fruit . . . That they fail to consider the root that produces the fruit.

The All-by-itself Principle The kingdom of God is like a man who casts seed upon the ground; and goes to bed at night and gets up by day, and the seed sprouts up and grows - how, he himself does not know. The earth pro- duces crops by itself; first the blade, then the head, and then the mature grain in the head.” Mark 4:26-28

Natural Church Development I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. 1 Corinthians 3:6

Models and Principles Model: Imitation One to One

and Individualization Models and Principles Principles: Abstraction and Individualization Many to One

Models and Principles

“Natural Church Development” What does “Natural Church Development” mean?

Releasing the growth automatisms, by which God Himself grows His church Understanding how God grows a church and giving Him the freedom and environment to do just that.

What part does a gardener have in growing a rose? Plant Water Feed Pick

What should we do?

Eight Principles of Healthy Churches Empowering leadership Gift-oriented ministry Passionate spirituality Functional structures Inspiring worship service Holistic small groups Need-oriented evangelism Loving relationships

Empowering Leadership The ministry of the leaders focuses on equipping others to serve Biblical Motto: Ephesians 4:12

Ephesians 4:11-13 It was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service,

Ephesians 4:11-13 so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

The owner of a large mill once found his superintendent in a wheel-pit, making some simple repairs, while a half-dozen workmen in that line were standing by, idly looking on. The proprietor, after learning the facts, so as to be sure that no injustice was done, called the foreman to his office and handed him his discharge with full pay.

In surprise the foreman asked for an explanation In surprise the foreman asked for an explanation. It was given in these words: "I employed you to keep six men at work. I found the six idle, and you doing the work of but one. Your work could have been done just as well by any one of the six. I cannot afford to pay the wages of seven for you to teach the six how to be idle."

If pastors would give more attention to getting and keeping their flock actively engaged at work, they would accomplish more good, have more time for study and religious visiting, and also avoid many causes of friction.-- Gospel Workers, pp. 197, 198.

Gift-oriented Ministry Every Christian serving where God has called him or her to be Biblical Motto: 1 Peter 4:10

1 Peter 4:10 Each should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms

Passionate Spirituality Wherever the personal relationship with Christ is intensified we discover that passion- ate spirituality is freed up seemingly “all by itself” Biblical Motto: Romans 12:11-12

Romans 12:11-12 Don’t’ burn out, keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheer- fully expectant. Don’t quit in hard times; pray all the harder. (Message Bible)

Functional Structures Are there structures and forms that are a blessing and others that need a burial? Biblical Motto: Micah 6:6-8

Micah 6:6-8 With what shall I come before the Lord and bow down before the exalted God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of oil?

Micah 6:6-8 Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

Inspiring Worship Service It is not the style of worship but rather the Holy Spirit’s presence that results in inspiring worship Biblical Motto: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-19

1 Thessalonians 5:16-19 Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not put out the Spirit’s fire

Holistic Small Groups A location where individual Christians can find intimate community and a safe environ- ment for new friends Biblical Motto: Acts 2:46-47

Acts 2:46-47 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, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

In our churches let companies be formed for service In our churches let companies be formed for service. Let different ones unite in labor as fishers of men. Let them seek to gather souls from the corruption of the world into the saving purity of Christ's love.

The formation of small companies as a basis of Christian effort has been presented to me by One who cannot err.

If there is a large number in the church, let the members be formed into small companies, to work not only for the church members, but for unbelievers. 7T 21-22

Need-oriented Evangelism Meet the needs of the community and then “bid them follow me” Biblical Motto: 1 Corinthians 9:20-22 I have just the right product for your headache...

1 Corinthians 9:20-22 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law.

1 Corinthians 9:20-22 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law.

1 Corinthians 9:20-22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.

Loving Relationships This quality is strongly tied to the personal life of the church members Biblical Motto: John 13:34,35

John 13:34-35 A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.

All-by-itself

Growing a church doesn’t need to be such an uphill battle if we allow God to grow the church!