2. FGrowth MUST BE Based On Truth – Not Gimmicks! FNot Just Growth – But The Right Kind Of Growth!! FThe Need For Edification – FThe Need For Evangelism – FThe Need To Provide An Environment For Growth!

4. To have a successful, growing, vibrant church, it is essential to observe successful, growing churches, and to learn from their most productive and successful methods! http://church-growth-marketing.com/

5. Rick Burgess, of the Rick and Bubba morning radio program will be preaching at Homewood church of Christ in Birmingham AL for their homecoming. Rick, who is not shy when it comes to telling about his adherence to the Baptist doctrine, will be given the floor to tell his story of his faith and how he walks with Jesus. "Please join us Sunday, October 15 during our 10 AM Service to hear Rick Burgess share the story of his faith and his walk with Jesus.“ 10/10/2006 – Gospel Preachers List/ http://www.homewoodchurch.org/templates/cushomewoodcoc/default.asp?id=3215 8

6. Acts 2:47 (NKJV) praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. Acts 4:4 (NKJV) However, many of those who heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand. Acts 6:7 (NKJV) Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith. Acts 9:31 (NKJV) Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.

7. FIndividual spiritual growth -  Commitment - Mat 6:33  Through teaching - Heb 5:12; Eph 4:1-16  Through providing opportunities to utilize talents – Mat 25:14-30  Through training – Eph 4:11- 16  Accomplished through love - 1 Cor 8:1; Eph 4:16

9. Honey I Shrunk the Church Part 2 - The Chicken or the Egg? by Allen Ratta Egg Laying The oft recited, "which came first, the chicken or the egg," riddle is easy for those who understand biblical creationism. God made chickens first.... If the sequencing is right, things have a way of taking care of themselves. For example, when one has healthy chickens there will be no shortage of eggs or those to hatch them. Honey I Shrunk the Church Part 2 - The Chicken or the Egg? by Allen Ratta Egg Laying The oft recited, "which came first, the chicken or the egg," riddle is easy for those who understand biblical creationism. God made chickens first.... If the sequencing is right, things have a way of taking care of themselves. For example, when one has healthy chickens there will be no shortage of eggs or those to hatch them.

10. The Institute For American Church Growth asked over 10,000 people this question: "What was responsible for your coming to Christ and this church?" I had a special need - 3% I just walked in - 3% I liked the minister - 6% I visited there - 1% I liked the Bible classes - 5% I attended a gospel meeting - 0.5% I liked the programs - 3% A friend or relative invited me - 79%

11.  Qualified Leadership – 1 Tim 3:1-7; Tit 1:5-9  Substantive Preaching – 2 Tim 4:2  Edifying Bible Classes – Eph 4:12  Heartfelt Worship – John 4:24  Inspiring relationships – Rom 12:5-10  Enthusiastic Teamwork – Rom 12:5-8; Eph 4:16

12. 4Desire 4Priorities 4Commitment 4Dedication 4Knowledge 4Execution  The Great Commission - Mark 16:15-16  Church is Pillar & Ground of Truth - 1 Tim 3:15  Early Disciples Spread the Word - Acts 8:4  The Great Commission - Mark 16:15-16  Church is Pillar & Ground of Truth - 1 Tim 3:15  Early Disciples Spread the Word - Acts 8:4

13.  Radio Program  Bring Others to Regular Services  Gospel Meeting  Home Bible Studies  Tracts / BCC / Videos  Tapes - CD’s  Website / www.w65stchurchofchrist.org  Radio Program  Bring Others to Regular Services  Gospel Meeting  Home Bible Studies  Tracts / BCC / Videos  Tapes - CD’s  Website / www.w65stchurchofchrist.org

14.  Lack of Respect  Pride  Ignorance of Scripture  Lack of Faith  Worldliness  Lack of Commitment  Lack of Zeal  Lack of Love  Gossip/Backbitin g  Respect For God  Humility  Knowledge of Scripture  Increasing Faith  Spirituality  Commitment to Service  Zeal  Love  Encouragement

15.  Proper Spiritual Food  Proper Spiritual Food - 1 Pet. 2:1-2; Heb. 5:13-14; Psa. 119: 9; 11, 49-50, 105, 130; Eph. 4:14  Involvement of all –  Involvement of all – 1 Cor 12:24-27; Ephe 4:16  An Atmosphere of Love -  An Atmosphere of Love - Jn. 15:12; Gal. 5:15; 1 Cor. 12:26; 1 Peter 1:22  Discipline  Discipline - Heb. 12:5-11; Gal. 6:1-2; 2 Tim. 4:2; 2 Cor. 2:1-6; Jas. 5:16

18. Meets Needs? Neatness & Cleanliness? Dark or Bright? Sufficient Space? Location – Accessible, Visible and Safe? Conveniences? Meets Needs? Neatness & Cleanliness? Dark or Bright? Sufficient Space? Location – Accessible, Visible and Safe? Conveniences?

19. FPreach Jesus With The Same Fervor and Love For The Lost As Our First Century Brethren! FDo Those Things That Promote Growth Rather Than Hinder It! FProvide An Atmosphere Conducive To Spiritual Growth!

23. Why We Are Not Converting The World I. World Is Not Interested In The Gospel

24.  Why such little interest? – Cares of the world (Luke 8:14; Phil. 2:21) – Gospel demands changes – love darkness (John 3:19) – False sense of security (Jer. 6:14; 8:11) – Not popular (Matt. 7:13-14; John 1:11-12; 6:66) I. World Is Not Interested In The Gospel

25.  Why such little interest?  Our job – not to convert, but teach – Command is to teach (Mark 16:15) – Even if don’t listen – done our job (Ezek. 3:16-21) – Jesus taught many turned away (John 1:11-12) – Crowds rejected the apostles (Acts 13:45; 17:32) I. World Is Not Interested In The Gospel

26.  Why such little interest?  Our job – not to convert, but teach  The “unlikely” just may listen & obey – Religious – Cornelius (Acts 10) – Non-Religious – Simon (Acts 8:9-13) – Worldly – Corinthians ( Acts 18:8; 1 Cor. 6:9-11) – Ignorant – Jews (Acts 2:23; 3:17) – Mean & Hateful – Saul (Acts 8:3; 9:1-2; 1 Tim. 1:15) – Political – Jailor (Acts 16:31-33) I. World Is Not Interested In The Gospel

27. Why We Are Not Converting The World I. World Is Not Interested In The Gospel II. Don’t View The World As Lost

28.  World is lost in sin – All men are sinners (Rom. 3:9, 23; 1 Jn. 5:14) – Sin separates from God (Isa. 59:1-2; Jas. 1:15) – If die in sin – hell fire (Rom. 6:23; 2 Thess. 1:7-9) – Reason Jesus came to earth (Matt. 18:11; Lk 19:10) II. Don’t View The World As Lost Any One Who Has Not Obeyed The Gospel Is Lost & Needs The Gospel

29.  World is lost in sin  How we view people of the world – Good people – Believe different than we do – Focus on friendship, likeable, good moral qualities – Little or no attention to the fact – they are LOST! II. Don’t View The World As Lost May be because our focus is on the here and now!

30.  World is lost in sin  How we view people of the world  Motivated to greater evangelism – If viewed the people from - spiritual condition – If view them without hope (Eph. 2:12) – If view them on road to hell (Rev. 21:8) II. Don’t View The World As Lost

31. Why We Are Not Converting The World I. World Is Not Interested In The Gospel II. Don’t View The World As Lost III. Message Preached Is Not Redemption

32.  Gospel Message – Redemption / Salvation – Power unto salvation (Rom. 1:16-17) – How we are saved (1 Cor. 15:1-4) – 1 st Gospel sermon – salvation from sin (Acts 2) – Sermon on Mars Hill – salvation (Acts 17:22-31) – 1 st Sermon to Gentiles (Acts 10:34-48) – Sermon in Antioch on 1 st Journey (Acts 13:16-41) – Books like Romans, Galatians, Ephesians, Colossians, etc. have themes about salvation. III. Message Preached Is Not Redemption

33.  Gospel Message – Redemption / Salvation  Gospel Demands Change of Life – Repentance (Acts 2:38; 17:30-31) – Stop & cease sin (Rom. 6) – Give up old religion (1 Thess. 1:9) – Start doing things to serve God (Acts 26:17-20) III. Message Preached Is Not Redemption

34.  Gospel Message – Redemption / Salvation  Gospel Demands Change of Life  Message Has Shifted - Social – More on relationships – How to be a better person – “Feel Good” preaching – Topics: Depression, Coping, Aging, etc. III. Message Preached Is Not Redemption

35. Why We Are Not Converting The World I. World Is Not Interested In The Gospel II. Don’t View The World As Lost III. Message Preached Is Not Redemption IV. Content To “Keep House”

36.  What mean by “keeping house”? – Assemble, worship – do little more – Maintain “status quo” – Thinking: We have a church – place to worship – so we meet Sunday & Wednesday do nothing more. – No effort to reach the lost – Have Gospel Meetings – little advertising – expect world to come – if brethren from other places come - success IV. Content To “Keep House”

37.  What mean by “keeping house”?  Why are we content? – Don’t want to grow – don’t like “big” churches – Think our mission to mere show up at worship – Don’t worry about growth if numbers stay about same – View church as a religious club IV. Content To “Keep House”

38.  What mean by “keeping house”?  Why are we content?  A Church that didn’t keep house IV. Content To “Keep House” Church at Antioch Acts 13

39. Why We Are Not Converting The World I. World Is Not Interested In The Gospel II. Don’t View The World As Lost III. Message Preached Is Not Redemption IV. Content To “Keep House” V. Fear Of Offending & Alienating Others

40.  Fear of offending – Gospel will offend (Luke 12:53; Acts 13:45-48) – Gospel is distinctive & narrow (1 John 4:1, 6) – Gospel convicts world of sin (John 16:8; Acts 2:37) – Fear of making folks mad – upsetting them Uncomfortable when bring a friend and sermon deals with…. Afraid “turn them off” or they will dislike us –Many have been converted – first got mad! V. Fear Of Offending & Alienating Others

41.  Fear of offending  Fear of Alienating a friend – Gospel will alienate people (Luke 12:53) – If try to convert friend or family – could cause a strain – So, deem it not worth the risk (cf. Lk 16:28) V. Fear Of Offending & Alienating Others

42. Why We Are Not Converting The World I. World Is Not Interested In The Gospel II. Don’t View The World As Lost III. Message Preached Is Not Redemption IV. Content To “Keep House” V. Fear Of Offending & Alienating Others

43. What Can We Do? Become more of an evangelist church Try to reach family, friends with gospel Tell others about radio program Set up Home Bible Studies Bring someone to a Gospel Meeting Bring someone to a service Talk to others about Bible questions