SF556 - BECOMING A NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH (Acts 11 19-30)
SF556
BECOMING A NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH
Acts 11:19-30; 13:1-3
INTRODUCTION
We need to know the difference between methods and principles.
There are eight principles we must understand and employ if ours is to be a growing NT church.
1A. THE SUPERNATURAL EMPOWERING OF GOD
1B. Three Key Phrases...
The Lord’s Hand was on Them (11:21)
He saw the evidence of the grace of God (11:23)
They were called Christians (11:26)
2B. We struggle with God being supernatural in our day! But not in the past or future!
You believe the Red Sea was divided?
You believe in the Second Coming?
You believe that our Sunday School and Worship attendance can double in 1996?
3B. Prayer is the key!
2A. POWERFUL PRAYER AND PASSIONATE PRAISE (13:1-3)
1B. Intercessory Prayer is Key!
Satan will fight this for all he is worth!
Praying churches touch the heart of God and experience the power of God!
2B. Passionate Praise (13:2)
Worshiping = leitourgeo, li‑toorg‑eh'‑o; to be a public servant, i.e. (by anal.) to perform religious or charitable functions (worship, obey, relieve):‑‑minister.
Worship should be the most exciting event of the week. If it is not then why?
3A. STRONG LEADERSHIP
1B. It is a matter of function and role not authority!
2B. Leaders must lead by...
Modeling ministry
Sharing passion and vision
By praying for new leaders
By instructing others
Providing needed resources
Observing, affirming and correcting
4A. A SPIRIT OF GENEROSITY AND FLEXIBILITY (11:27-30)
There will come a test of a church’s generosity
Could it be that we are here?
5A. GREAT VISION
The ability to see our church as God does!
Their vision was to evangelize the world!
This vision say “God Can!”
Characteristics of a Great Vision
Originates with God
Supported by His Word
Must have supernatural empowering
Grounded in the Great Commission
Exalt Christ
Requires radical obedience
Leads to natural growth
Demands a willingness to change
Requires family unity
6A. COMMITTED TO DISCIPLESHIP (11:25-26)
Notice the time frame - it took a year before they even began to look like Jesus!
7A. A PASSION FOR THE LOST
We really don’t care - if we did we would not have to beg people to visit!
Do you know why God often blessed revivals and special days? - Because we pray and witness before hand!
3/4 of unsaved people will come to church next Sunday if they were invited by a friend!
8A. ELIMINATE BARRIERS TO GROWTH
The Bonsai Phenomena
Bonsai trees are real trees that you purposely keep small.
We are doing the same thing to our Church
We bonsai our church by...
1B. Limited Space - 80% Saturation
When you reach 80% of your room size you will saturate and will stop growing
If your room will hold 20 you will never average more than 16 in attendance!
25 sq feet / preschoolers
20 sq feet/ children
15 sq feet / adult
If you double use your space you get 60% increase not 100%.
2B. The land will limit you! ~100 people / acre
~ 2 people per car!
3B. Too Small of an Organization
The pyramid principle - the height of the pyramid is determined by the base of the pyramid. The base of the pyramid is the number of units
150 attendance - 10 units you will never have more in attendance until you add new units.
4B. Not Enough Staff
1/150 Sunday School attendance
When add a member you add a minister
When we expect our staff to do all the ministry we limit our growth potential because they can only handle about 3 areas.
85% of the churches run ~150 in Sunday School and 85% are single staff.
5B. Limited or Small Vision
Begins with an understanding of God’s power and the church’s mission. It must be communicated clearly and frequently and renewed regularly.
Your vision must be God-sized. Not to fill a building but to reach a city!
6B. You Trim the Roots
We prune the Sunday School rolls
Combining units
Cutting back on resources
Staff-only ministry
If the pastor is the only minister we will never go beyond 200
(Ephesians 4:11‑12) ...pastors and teachers; {12} For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
No Prospects
7B. Pinch Back the New Growth
We fail to assimilate new members
Remember they are tender
Church traditions
Many times the best ideas come from new Christians
Restrictive enrollment
Lack of affirmation
APPLICATION
A Ten-Step Process
1. Anticipate Supernatural Awakening and Empowering
2. Prioritize Prayer and Praise!
3. Focus on the Mission of the Church
4. Model Kingdom Living
5. Train Members for Leadership
6. Understand our Church and our Community.
7. Plan Based on a God-Sized Vision
8. Develop a Plan for Growth
9. Design a Growth Strategy
10. Implement our Plan!