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Church Growth – not by baptisms but by transformed lives Chan Fook Kay Grace MC
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he Apostle Peter’s speech on the day of Pentecost led to about three thousand who were baptized and were added to what we would call today the Christian community (Acts 2:41). In the next verse, it was written that “they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to the fellowship.” The chapter concluded with the verse, “And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” The numbers added daily on top of the base of 3,000 must be the dream of pastors and lay leaders in today’s church growth evaluation. But of course, phenomenal growth brought with it, problems. In Acts 6, it was written that because of the increasing rate of growth in the number of disciples, the Grecian Jews complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. In order for the Apostles to focus on prayer and the ministry of the word, a separate group of seven was appointed to serve tables. And these seven were men full of the Spirit and wisdom. With the focus not diluted, in Acts 6:7 it was written that “So 12 • 2017 •
the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.” It would appear that the church (although it was at that time not officially called the church) in those days was not chasing for church growth in terms of numbers. It was the Lord who gave the growth. They were simply focusing on the ministries – preaching and prayer. And even the
been a subject for discussion. The measurement is mainly in numerical growth in church membership, i.e. number of baptisms. Is this a good assessment of church growth? I have the opportunity to meet up with small churches. For some of them, their pastors and leaders do not go after increase in numbers to play catch-up with the bigger churches. They have very clearly defined niche areas of ministries. And the church is
It was the Lord who gave the growth priests whom we expect to be steeped in Judaism came in large numbers and their lives were transformed. In the Gospels, Jesus as the great Physician focused His attention on the sick – physical and spiritual. His was a ministry-centric and not a baptismcentric effort.Although large crowds followed Him, He had to stay away from them in some instances in order that His purpose was not hindered. At the Annual Session of the CAC, invariably church growth has always
known for its ministries in the market place. There is a church whose focus is on the gamblers and their families. This church has about 200 former gamblers. The pastor was very clear of his calling when he left a mega church (as a full time ministry staff) to minister to those who are caught in the vicious cycle of gambling. It will sound weird if the pastor were to pray for more gamblers to attend his church, just as it would cause some