~Thursday Thought~

"Each size church all have their own personality. A large church is not just a larger version of a small church. It's a totally different church in organization, in structure, and in mentality. Major changes have to take place to go from a small church to a medium church, medium church to a large church. If you're going to grow to the next level then you need to start acting like you're the next level church you're trying to go to."

Practical Growth Engines: All growing churches have 5 things in common.

1. Evangelism

2. Assimilating new members of the church

3. Connecting groups

4. Worship service

5. Leadership development

Apostolic Growth Engines:

1. Preach and teach truth

2. Consecration - Prayer, fasting, daily devotion

3. Distinction - We are not like anyone else. We have been set aside and anointed for His purpose

4. Our worship - We never want to give up what we practice, which is our worship

5. Evangelism - Each member should be reaching out to the community and we as a church body should be joining together for events as well.

-PA District, Harvest Conference Friday morning Speaker

All of these are foundational for church growth, but if we take a closer look at each list, evangelism is on both the practical and spiritual side of church growth.

Matthew 5:13-16 says, "Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."

This teaches us we are the salt. What happens when salt reaches your mouth? It makes you thirsty. We as the body have to be enough salt for the people we are talking and witnessing to that it makes them want the water of life, the living water, Jesus. But we have to be careful not to be so salty that it is no good, we lose our witness, and it becomes a great loss.

-Bro. Charles Wells (Hop)