Congregational Maturity

by Jerry Harris

I. INTRODUCTION:
A. An Honest Beginning Would Be To Acknowledge That Growing A Church Is A Very Difficult Task.

1. Church growth is complex.
2. No simple formulas or a canned program.
3. Church growth involves a pattern of interrelated factors that are difficult to identify.
4. No fast answers or easy cures.
5. It requires hard work to fully understand the array of potential factors contributing to the growth or decline of a church.
6. Church leaders need to become students of the complex issues of church growth.
7. The focus of study: “Creating a Climate for Church Growth.”

B. An Honest Beginning Also Would Be To Acknowledge That We As A Brotherhood Have Failed To Mature A Large Percentage Of Our Congregations.
1. Fact is we have a large number of congregations in danger of extinction.
2. Also a number of what I consider stronger congregations have slipped in their abilities to function.

II. CHURCH GROWTH MUST OCCUR IN THREE DISTINCTIVE DIMENSIONS SIMULTANEOUSLY:
(1) NUMERICAL, (2) SPIRITUAL, (3) ORGANIC
(Ronald D. Laughery, Lecture Notes, OCU, January 28, 1991).

A. Numerical Growth (Matthew 28:19-20)

1. The record of Acts (the church multiplied)
2. Most of our efforts are directed towards numerical growth.
3. The congregation (local church) should be evangelistic minded.
4. Good methods of growth should be practiced.
5. A key church growth principle: growing churches are evangelistic and view evangelism as more relational than confrontational.

a. We must be right. We must live right and make sure our attitude is right.
b. We must rely upon the right power. (Power does not reside in the soul-winner, for God gives the increase, I Corinthians 3:6;
the gospel is the power, Romans 1:16.)
c. We must have faith.
d. We must be willing to fight sin in our own lives and help others to overcome sin in their lives.

B. However, To Grow Spiritually Is Equally As Important As To Grow Numerically.

1. Much of the New Testament focuses on quality growth (cf. fruit of the spirit, Galatians 5:22-23; Christian graces, 2 Peter 1:5-8.)
2. Is the climate such that real spiritual growth can take place in your congregation?
a. Growth through study of the Word;
b. Growth through prayer;
c. Growth through involvement in ministry;
d. Growth through fellowship.

C. There Is A Third Dimension Of Growth In The Kingdom Of God, And It Is Totally A Different Dimension --- Organic Growth.

1. Sometimes a woman goes to the doctor because she has a swelling in her abdomen.
a. That may mean one of two things: She may be pregnant and have a child growing there, or she may have a tumor.
b. There is a big difference between a child and a tumor.
c. A tumor is just the multiplying of cells, more and more cells.

2. It is frightening when we must have the multiplying of numbers in the Church and nothing else is happening.
3. Members must be assimilated into the body.
4. Attention must be given to the teaching of the Word of God
(1 Corinthians 12; Romans 12:3-8 and Ephesians 4:7-16).
a. Each must be encouraged to discover this gift.
b. Each must be given the opportunity to exercise their gift.
c. Each must be given help in developing their gift.

D. This Growth (Numerical, Spiritual And Organic) Will Not (Cannot) Occur Without Diligent Oversight (Ephesians 4:11-12).

1. Why is it that the only growth sought by congregations is numerical?
2. The duty of congregational overseers is to assist (insist on) the spiritual and organic growth to congregations.
3. The fact is, we have neglected the latter two dimensions of growth.
4. Most often the brethren become dissatisfied with the preachers for trying to help the church grow spiritually or organically. Often, our sole interest is numerical growth.

F. The Goal Of Every Congregation (Regardless Of How Small) Should Be To Develop In All Three Dimensions.
I am convinced, by my experience, that when spiritual and organic growth are emphasized numerical growth will happen.

G. Evangelizing Involves Spiritual And Organic Growth
(Matthew 28:18-20, “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded.”)

III. Five Vital Signs Of A Healthy (Maturing) Growing Church

A. The First Vital Sign Of A Healthy Growing Church Is A Pulpit With Faith And Vision. (Most writers attribute this to the pulpit minister.)
1. Each congregation must have at least one qualified teacher and should strive to have a core of qualified teachers (Ephesians 4:11).

a. Evangelists, deacons, and elders can come from the core of teachers (Acts 6:5-7; 13:1).
b. “Apt to teach” is a qualification for evangelists and elders.
c. It would appear that evangelists first worked in local congregations as teachers, then were selected and sent by local congregation (Acts 13). Example: Timothy (1 Timothy 4:14).
2. A word about the development of teachers: Logical order seems we must first have teachers before evangelists or elders.

a. Knowledge and teaching were spiritual gifts
(Romans 12:7; 1 Corinthians 12:8).
b. To be a teacher (instructor) of God’s Word, one must have an understanding of God’s purpose for man and the church.
c. Is someone with speaking ability, capable of delivering a speech from an outline, a qualified teacher?
3. Psychologists tell us that life is divided into four periods (four seasons of life)

a. Length of life to be 70 or 80 years (Psalms 90:10).
b. Four periods of time each with 17 to 20 years:
· Preparation 0-20(education);
· Productivity 21-40 (career, family);
· Hospitality 41-60 (time of sharing with others);
· Statesman 60-80 (give time for good of all).
c. Applying this to the Christian life, at what point are we ready to share knowledge and experience with others? (1 Timothy 3; Titus 1) Example: Ahimaaz, “Turn aside and stand here” (2 Samuel 18:19-32).
d. We need to realize that it takes years of effort and time to become a qualified teacher.
4. What is the attitude of qualified workers (teachers, evangelists and elders)?

a. That of a servant (Matthew 20:26-28)
b. All workers must keep a picture of a basin and towel before them
(John 13).
B. The Second Vital Sign Of A Healthy Growing Church Is An Active Membership That Is Involved In Church Work (cf. 1 Peter 4:10). Every member should use their gift for the benefit of all.
1. The learning and training of workers is a “hands on” method. We learn by doing.
2. Training and learning should be under qualified supervision.
3. Organic growth should be taking place (fitting the members to the body, Ephesians 4:16).
C. The Third Vital Sign Of A Healthy Growing Church Is Active Fellowship Among The Congregation.
1. Worship: the way the assembly is conducted and the effect it has upon the participants determine if it is a characteristic of a healthy congregation.
a. “Family Feud”, a TV game show surveys its audience and the contestants try to guess the top response. To the question “What is the most boring thing?”, the number one response was “church”.
b. A Southern Baptist preacher planted a new congregation in one of the most unchurched areas of southern California. Part of his preparation included a door-to-door survey to discover the community attitudes.
He asked the community “Why do you think most people around here don’t attend church?” Most frequently the response was “Sermons are boring and don’t relate to life.”
It is sobering to realize the full impact that the worship assembly has upon people: Christian and non-Christian.
2. Nothing in the lives of Christians is more central than worship. “What is our purpose for coming to the worship assembly?”
Three-fold purpose:
a. Praise God
b. Edification of Christians (I Corinthians 14)
c. Mission: In I Corinthians 14:23-25, Paul states the worship should be conducted in such a way that the non-believer can also encounter God. Worship should be filled with joy, reverence and faith.
3. “Fellowship” is a member of the “koin”- family meaning “sharing, having things in common.”
a. Acts 2:44, “Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common.”
b. “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2).
c. “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15).


4. What has happened to the fellowship between brethren?
5. Congregations should have a plan for ministering and training those interested and capable (Matthew 25:42-45). Visit sick, etc.
D. The Fourth Vital Sign Of A Healthy, Growing Church Is That They Have Their Priorities Straight.
1. The number one priority in a local congregation must be evangelism.
2. My observation: to be successful at evangelism, the congregation must be successfully achieving the work of ministry and training of qualified workers.
3. When the leaders of the Church meet, how much time is spent on evangelism, shepherding the flock . . building up the Church . . . over against budget ... money ... approval of finances . . . the building, etc.?


E. A Fifth Vital Sign Of A Growing Church Is It Will Have An Atmosphere For Growth.
1. A haven of love
a. Growing churches are loving fellowships.
b. What takes place before and after the assembly?
c. Christ’s love for the church (Ephesians 5:25): He “... loved the church and gave Himself for it.”
d. No matter what you do, you can never stop God from loving you.
e. Are we communicating that kind of love at our congregations? No matter what you do, we will never stop loving you. “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35)
2. A place of acceptance.
a. Do you accept your children?
b. Do you approve of all their actions?
c. We must learn to accept one another. Examples: Prodigal (Luke 15:11-24); Gentiles (Ephesians 2:11-18).
d. Problem. . . We want to accept people after they get to where we think they ought to be.
3. A deep sense of belonging
a. You can be a believer without belonging.
b. “And all that believed were together and had all things common” (Acts 2:44).
c. Do folks really feel like they are a part... that they really belong .. . where you go to church?
d. Do we include everyone or try to involve everyone in the activities of the congregation?

IV. Conclusion: “Church” To Many Is Just A Place To Worship.

A. Congregations Must Begin To Give Special Attention To Spiritual And Organic Growth.
1. If they do not have men qualified to lead the congregation in development of these things, arrange for someone to come in and help.
2. Congregations can either be complacent and ignore this need or can move ahead.
3. The leaders (evangelist) can be complacent or can become involved in correcting this problem.

302 Willow Creek Cir.,
Norman, OK 73071