2. Acts 6:1 (ESV)
Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number,

3. Acts 6:1 (ESV)
Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution.

4. 1 Timothy 5:3–4 (ESV)
3 Honor widows who are truly widows. 4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God.

5. 1 Timothy 5:16 (ESV)
16 If any believing woman has relatives who are widows, let her care for them. Let the church not be burdened, so that it may care for those who are truly widows.

6. Acts 6:2 (ESV)
And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables.

7. Acts 6:3-4 (ESV)
3 Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

8. Acts 6:5-6 (ESV)
5 And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. 6 These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.

9. Acts 6:7 (ESV)
7 And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.

10. Church Growth
Should we hope/pray/expect the church to grow?

11. Church Growth
Should we hope/pray/expect the church to grow?
YES!

12. Church growth is not…
Tricking people with gimmicks
Providing a comfortable entertaining environment
Just doing kind things

13. Church growth is like baking a cake…
#1 - Value/Teach the Word of God
Boldness in sharing the gospel
Ongoing growth as a disciple

14. Church growth is like baking a cake…
#2 – Express the love of Jesus
One another (church) and the world
Generosity (Acts 2 & 4)
Serving

15. New Testament Church
Pastor/Elders and Deacons

16. Pastor/Elders and Deacons Priesthood of the Believers – 1 Peter 2:9
New Testament Church
Pastor/Elders and Deacons
Priesthood of the Believers – 1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

17. Galatians 6:9–10 (ESV)
9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.