The Role of the Church in Society

Church Growth Defined Biblical focus: All that is involved in bringing people who do not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ into fellowship with Him by making disciples and planting churches. (Luke 4:42; 19:10; 2 Cor. 5:17-21; Acts 11:19-26)

Church Growth Defined As a field of study in Missiology: Church growth is that science which investigates the planting, multiplication, function and health of Christian churches as they relate specifically to effective implementation of God's commission to "make disciples of all nations" (Mt. 28:19-20). Church growth strives to combine the eternal theological principles of God's word concerning the expansion of the church with the best insights of contemporary social and behavioral sciences, employing as its initial frame of reference, the foundational work done by Donald McGavran.

Church Growth Defined Church growth as a movement: Church Growth is that science that investigates the planting, multiplication, growth, function, health and death of churches. It strives to apply the biblical and social principles in its gathering, analysis, displaying and defending of the facts involved in implementing the Great Commission. (Towns editor, A Practical Encyclopedia: Evangelism and Church Growth, p. 80)

Church Growth Defined Characteristics of church growth: 1. It is based on biblical principles 2. It focus is more effectively fulfilling the great commission through evangelism, missions, and church growth 3. It is concerned with both internal and external growth 4. It is scientific in nature 5. It combines eternal theological principles and social and behavioral sciences 6. It's began based on the work of Donald McGavran 7. It is goal oriented 8. Church centered (planting and nurturing as opposed to individual)

Church Growth Defined Church Defined: The Nature of the Church Church = ekklasia Used in classical Greek to describe the assembly of the citizens of a polis (city). The idea of assembly can be seen in Acts 19:32,39, 41. Unassembled assembly (Acts 8:3) Assembled assembly (1 Cor. 14:4, 23)

Church Growth Defined N.T. uses of the term church: Local gatherings (1 Cor. 1:2; 2 Cor. 1:1) Churches of Galatia (Gal. 1:2) Church of the Thessalonians (1 Thes. 1:1) Churches meeting in homes (Rom. 16:5; 1 Cor.16:19; Col. 4:15) Churches in cities (Act 8:1; 13:1) Large geographical areas (Acts 9:31; 1 Cor. 16:19) Universal Jesus will build (Matt. 16:18) Ephesians (1:22-23; 3:10, 21; 4:4, 23-25, 32) 1 Cor. 10:32; 11:22; 12:28; Col. 1:18, 24

Church Growth Defined Definition: Universal: The church is believers worldwide who through Christ's death have been reconciled to God, live by His standards, and teaches His doctrine. Local: A group of believers meeting together who through Christ's death have been reconciled to God, live by His standards, and teaches His doctrine.

Church Growth Defined Biblical Description of the Church Biblical Pictures of the Church Eternal Truth Emphasized Scripture References BodyUnity in Diversity Eph. 4:15; Rom. 12:3-8; 1 Cor. 12:12-31 BuildingDwelling of God Eph. 2:19-22 BrideSubjection to Christ 2 Cor. 11:2; Eph. 5:23-32 FlockProvision in Christ Jn. 10:16; 1 Pet. 5:4 Garden (vine)Union with God-fruit Jn. 15:1-17; 1 Cor. 3:5-9 FamilyIdentity with Christ Eph. 2:19-22; 1 Tim. 3:4-5 PriesthoodService to God to Proclaim 1 Pet. 2:9-10 Temple of SpiritGod’s Power in Service Acts 1:8; 1 Cor. 3:16; 6:19; Eph. 2:22;

Church & Kingdom The term kingdom in the Bible carries the idea of someone ruling and not the realm. John the Baptist and Jesus both preached the kingdom of heaven was at hand. One preaches Christ’s rulership not the church Kingdom in the N.T. primarily carries the idea of God’s or Christ’s rule The church consists of those who have made Christ the ruler of their lives Mt. 4:23; Lk. 4:43; Mt. 12:28; Lk. 10:11, 11:20

Church Growth Defined The Role of the Church: To represent God's purpose on earth by honoring God and making the way of reconciliation through his son known to all people through spiritual and physical service in his name. Mt. 28:18 Mk. 16:15-16 Acts 1:8

Church Growth Defined Functions of the church  Evangelism (Proclaim and persuasion)  Mt. 28:19-20; Mk. 16:15; Lk. 24:47-49  Jn. 20:21; Acts 1:8  Edification (Teach and buildup)  Eph. 2:19-22; 4:29; 1 Cor. 14:4, 26  Worship (Praise and honor God)  Mt. 4:10; 22:37-40  Service (social responsibility)  Mt. 25:31-46; Rom. 12:20; James 1:27; 5:13-15  Fellowship (strengthening and support)  Phil. 2:1; Rom. 12:5, 10; 13:8

Church Growth Defined Heart of God’s Mission (Missio Dei)  Reconciliation  Maintaining our relationship with God under his rule

Church Growth Defined Growth Defined: Growth, as related to Christianity, is extension of the church internally to incorporate new Christians into existing churches or externally to plant new churches from those who have become Christians.

Church Growth Defined Universal Church Growth Geographical Continent Country State or Province County City/Town Church Congregations, Members, Locations Congregational Church Growth Quantitative – Acts 2:41, 46-47, 4:4; 5:14; 11:21, 24; 16:5 Qualitative (Maturity & Spiritual Growth) 2 Pet. 3:18; 1 Pet. 2:2; Eph. 4:15; 2 Thess. 1:3