Growing the Church
Notes
Transcript
Growing the Church
Growing the Church
7 But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8 Therefore it says, “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.” 9 (In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? 10 He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
Modern day church planting and growth look very different to what Paul is teaching to the church of Ephesus. Paul planted the churches in Ephesus. The believers and churches in Ephesus was not 100% healthy and biblical and Holy, it will never be. But there are KEY differences. In particular, in the letter, focusing on the unity of the believers, again the focus and the goal of the church very clear. It is not about NUMERICAL GROWTH of the CHURCH. It is important, don’t get Paul wrong or get me wrong, but numerical growth without all that Paul’s got to say about the GROWTH of the church in Ephesus will not the priority for the church.
Essential for Growth: The Word & the gift
Essential for Growth: The Word & the gift
7 But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8 Therefore it says, “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.” 9 (In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? 10 He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers,
Cultural interpretation, or through the lens of past experiences, it is quite easy to focus this part of the passage to be on LEADERSHIP of the Church, or Pastors/Reverends or Ministers. Many of recent writings/commentaries on this passage still does focus on the LEADERS. Apostles, prophets, evangelists, the shepherds and teachers. All who are either receiving and passing on the word of God, all who are caring for others, all who are sharing the word, all who are guiding the flock. Focus is still pretty much on the people taking on the responsibility or the charge of the word.
Following on from earlier part of the passage:
4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 7 But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.
Unity is key!
Unity in diversity is the key!
So, within the unity of the body, each member has a distinctive service to render for the effective functioning of the whole. The ability to perform such service is due to the GRACE given by Grace through the Spirit of God. Grace that is now an outward work of individual believers manifested in variety of ways. And this outward work of the gift is for the benefit of the whole body of Christ.
Moving onto verse 11, where Paul writes about apostles, prophets, evangelist, shepherds and teachers, more than focusing on the different roles, I’d like to draw your attention to ONE COMMON duty or role they all fulfil. Different roles, but one particular responsibility they all fulfil. Each role are God given gifts and responsibilities, all for ONE purpose. Without going into details of differences of the roles, the purpose of the different roles are to fulfil one purpose, that is to PROCLAIM the WORD, the TRUTH. Maybe sometime in future, we might look into the differences.
The functions of each of the roles above are preserving, transmitting, expounding, interpreting, teaching, delivering, ONE thing! ONE truth! One gospel!
None of the roles mentioned here are to be fulfilled out to promote one’s own position or that of any particular individuals. As the major concern for Paul and the letter is with the Unity and Maturity of the church. So if one is to interpret this passage focusing too much on the roles is probably not the right interpretation.
All of the works and ministering of the word points to ONE PURPOSE!
Which leads to next point! The Goal of the growth of the church.
The goal of Growth: Maturity
The goal of Growth: Maturity
12 …for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.
The purpose of the growth of the church lies on the MATURITY of the members. Paul saying “for building up the body of Christ.”
Building of the unity of the body, particularly the maturity of the individuals and the body. Work of BUILDING does had END. Clear ENDING. Work can end, will end when the UNITY OF THE FAITH, MATURITY of the body to the STATURE OF THE FULLNESS OF CHRIST IS ACHIEVED!
Means, UNENDING!
Building up the body of Christ is a purposeful choice of word and imagery. Although many of us don’t have clear idea on the work and process it takes to build a building, but we have general idea. That it needs many different materials, and also many different people with different skills working on it together. Sometimes together at same time, sometimes all at different times, but on ONE building.
Measure of maturity it needs to achieved is until, as said, reached FULLNESS of CHRIST. And Paul unpacks what that really means.
14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.
According to Paul, one has reached the point of maturity when one’s faith is not shaken, swayed, and jeopardised by world’s knowledge, teachings and standards.
Mature According to the world
Embracing the present
Acceptance of Imperfection
Letting go of ego
Embracing change
Understanding your core values
Taking responsibility
Practicing gratitude
Developing empathy
LEARNING TO SAY NO
Seeking personal growth
Something that is always in the world’s wisdom is number 9! But as you can see, it’s all about ONE’s self wellbeing. Not that it is completely wrong. But all the efforts are all within, one’s MIND and HEART.
The TRUE maturity of the believers come from gifting of the holy spirit and our submission and obedience to the works of the spirit.
If the goal of growth is on MATURITY then what is Paul saying about the means of growth, adding to the WORD being essential to growth of believers.
Means of Growth: Equipping (Disciple making) & the Truth (Love)
Means of Growth: Equipping (Disciple making) & the Truth (Love)
12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry…
15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
Going back to verse 12, people, ministers of the word to deliver, teach and proclaim the word as it is. Not interpreting the word culturally, anthropologically, or even denominationally but as intended by God. And for the delivery, teaching and proclamation to be done boldly, un-sugarcoated, not people pleasing, not self honouring, but God fearing, God glorifying, God honouring, Kingdom focused teaching to be done. All that for the purpose of EQUIPPING all the people of God, those saved, those in faith, for the work of ministry!
Equipping according to Paul is what we may call “DISCIPLE MAKING.” Disciple are those who come with EAGERNESS to learn through the words of Jesus. Keyword is EAGERNESS. That one are quick to listen/hear the instructions, words and the truth. People who are quick to put into practise and apply the teachings of Jesus in their own lives. Who are EAGER to become, be transformed, in the likeness of Jesus. That one would become the ministers of the Word. Not just worshippers, or who look at Jesus and God as god, but as their God/Saviour/Healer and Sanctifier who engages in personal relationship with him.
Verse 14.
Speaking the truth in LOVE
To grow up in every way into CHRIST who is head
WHOLE BODY JOINED and HELD TOGETHER - not individuals, or just a few, or your favourites, only the loveable
Each part working properly - waiting and helping one to also function properly
WHOLE body GROWING.
Think Through!
Think Through!
During approximately past 50 years or so, much of the focus of the churches around West and East was PARTICULARLY focused in the idea GROWTH of the CHURCH.
In the 20th C, there was a rapid growth in the number of Christians in Africa, Asia and Latin America. At the same time, sharp decline in the West (N.America & Australia) and Europe due to secularism. Growth in the African, Asian and Latin American churches are expected because number of missionaries sent from the West to the rest of the world hit approximately 400K by 1990, when approximately 62K missionaries in the 1900. And still remaining at around 400K missionaries in the 21st Century.
Now, particularly in the West, number of megachurches are growing rapidly. Membership in the tens of thousands.
The idea or the movement of the “Church Growth” only made it in the scene of the church related movement in the 20th century. It was initiated by a American missionary who served in India as he was reflecting on lack of growth of the churches he worked with in India, de spite much devotion and commitment. He started the “Institute of Church Growth” in 1965, which became the School of “World Mission/Institute of Church Growth” of Fuller Theological Seminary
“Institute of Church Growth”
“World Mission/Institute of Church Growth”
The Church growth movement spawned new movements, church planting initiatives, institutes, magazines, degree programs etc etc that also expanded to church growth practitioners/specialist, church planters, urban church growth specialist (Redeemer Presbyterian, Tim Keller), church growth consultants, etc etc
All these are geared and focused and concerned for numerical growth of the church.
But there were just lack of TRUE BIBLICAL UNDERSTANDING of the motives/goals for church growth.
Genevapush - Church planting consulting, assessment and training
Different trainings and strategies to church plant and bring more people into the church. Besides “gospel conviction” there’s no real teachings and trainings on the bible. Statistically, not particularly singling out Geneva Push, but much of church planting movement is about creating the right environment, with right kind of personnel, in right kind of suburb/region, to bring people into the church. But if these were to be done and as it is testified by those who are testifying all the good things about these kind of movements/consultations, should not the CHRISTIAN POPULATION in Australia be increasing? Well, it is, but among the Asian diaspora churches in Australia. What this means is that these growth of the church is predominantly HORIZONTAL MOVEMENT! Many church planting and growth movements are encouraging horizontal movement of believers. From one church, with a particular culture to new, more modern, or particular culture. And it’s encouraging more believers to find their comfort in the church, more like a hideout place.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Benediction
Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith. Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
