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Why Some Churches Won't Grow!
by Segun Olumide All rights reserved. Unless otherwise stated, all scriptures quoted in this book are from the King James Version of the Bible. KEYS TO OTHER BIBLE VERSIONS USED: AMP-The Amplified Bible NIV-New International Version TLB-The Living Bible Gideons-The Gideons International RSV-Revised Standard Version NCV-New Century Version Amplified Bible (AMP) Copyright 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation; New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Living Bible (TLB) The Living Bible copyright 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.; Revised Standard Version (RSV) Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1946, 1952, and 1971 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.; New Century Version (NCV) The Holy Bible, New Century Version. Copyright 2005 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. 2014 The New Apostolic Movement The New Apostolic Movement, E-mail: [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] +234 8161297781; +234 - 8053053578; + 234 7085951514.   TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. WRONG NOTIONS ABOUT CHURCH GROWTH 2. TRUE SECRETS OF CHURCH GROWTH IN THE EARLY CHURCH   CHAPTER ONE WRONG NOTIONS ABOUT CHURCH GROWTH WRONG NOTION 1: THE PRINCIPLES OF CHURCH GROWTH ARE DIFFERENT EVERYWHERE PRINCIPLES INVOLVE GENERAL RULES FOR EVERYONE. Biblical principles don't change, but methods can change. For example, Jesus healed the sick with the same principle of faith, but different methods. It may amaze us that if Jesus wanted to ministered to 3 blind people on the 3 different occasions, he may tell the first, "Go and sin no more." Then he put his hand in the eyes of the second and command: "Be open." Lastly, he may take mud and put on the eyes of the third person instructing him, "Go to the River Jordan and wash your eyes." The same principle of faith but different methods of healing! In the same way, the same principles of church but different methods of church growth. WRONG NOTION 2: THE METHODS OF CHURCH GROWTH ARE THE SAME EVERYWHERE METHODS INVOLVE SPECIFIC STRATEGIES FOR A SPECIFIC PERSON IN A SPECIFIC SITUATION IN ASPECIFIC PLACE AND AT A SPECIFIC TIME. METHODS ARE VEHICLES THAT CONVEY PRINCIPLES. So the principles are the same, but the methods could be different. You see, any Biblical principle will work anywhere in the world but a particular method may work in America but fail in Africa. WRONG NOTION 3: ONLY GOD DETERMINES BOTH THE MEASURE AND DEGREE OF CHURCH GROWTH WRONG NOTION 4: ONLY HUMAN EFFORTS DETERMINE BOTH THE MEASURE AND DEGREE OF CHURCH GROWTH DIVINE FACTOR SUPERSEDES HUMAN FACTORS " And THE LORD ADDED TO THEIR NUMBER DAILY those who were being saved" (Acts 2:47, NIV). So Paul could plant and Apollos could water it, but only God gave the increase because unless God builds a church the labourers are just wasting their time (1 Cor 3:6, Acts 18:24-28, Ps 127:1, Jn 3:27). The reason Jesus said, "I will build my church" was that only He could add to His people (see Mat 16:18). No one can become a member of the Body of Christ unless God draws him to Himself (Jn 6:44, 65, Jn 12:32). They knew that though the divine factor superseded the human factors nevertheless as co-labourers with Christ, He would not play their roles in Church growth. So let's look briefly at the keys with which they unlocked the secrets of Church growth. WRONG NOTION 5: THERE IS ONLY ONE GOLDEN KEY TO CHURCH GROWTH WRONG NOTION 6: CHURCH GROWTH MUST BE INSTANTENOUS WRONG NOTION 7: AS FAR AS CHURCH GROWTH IS CONCERNED, QUANTITY IS ALL THAT MATTERS, NOT QUALITY WRONG NOTION 8: AS FAR AS CHURCH GROWTH IS CONCERNED, QUALITY IS ALL THAT IS IMPORTANT, NOT QUANTITY QUALITY FIRST, QUANTITY SECOND Some disciples "went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. The Lord's hand was with them, and A GREAT NUMBER OF PEOPLE BELIEVED AND TURNED TO THE LORD. SO FOR A WHOLE YEAR BARNABAS AND SAUL MET WITH THE CHURCH AND TAUGHT GREAT NUMBERS OF PEOPLE. THE DISCIPLES WERE CALLED CHRISTIANS FIRST AT ANTIOCH [by non-disciples]" (Acts 11:20-21, 26, NIV). Knowing full well that Jesus would come back for Christians, that is, Christ-like believers, not for sinful believers, Paul and Barnabas took enough time to teach the disciples holiness, thus making them ready for heaven. They knew it was no use gathering a great multitude of believers who would end up in hell or lake of fire for living like devils (see also Acts 8:13, 18-23). So their ultimate goal or priority was the quality or spirituality of the people followed by their quantity so that they could take along with them a great multitude to heaven (Rev 7:9). I have observed that good quantity without good quality brings worldliness while good quality without good quantity may be selfishness. WRONG NOTION 9: IF YOU HAVE TRIED YOUR BEST AND THE CHURCH IS NOT GROWING, THEN TRY YOUR WORST SOME BAD THINGS PASTORS DO BECAUSE OF CHURCH GROWTH FRUSTRATION i. Abusing other pastors who seem to have what you desperately need, though difficult to get. ii. Condemning big churches iii. Consulting the Occult for help iv. Isolating yourself and those following you from other believers v. Stealing members of other churches vi. Watering down your message vii. Using worldly gimmick like worldly dances, worldly comedies, worldly marketing strategies, worldly movies, and so on viii. Using humanly cleverly calculated false prophecies [stage-managed or arranged prophecies] to deceive ix. Using humanly cleverly calculated false miracles [stage-managed or arranged miracles] to manipulate x. Abandoning your God-given mission to accomplish (mandate to fulfil) because of discouragement xi. Refusing to grow up in your personal spiritual life xii. Seeking flattering titles to cover up instead of anointing and wisdom to break forth WRONG NOTION 10: IF YOU HAVE A GOOD CHURCH STRUCTURE [spiritually and physically], THEN YOU DON'T NEED TO MAKE EFFORTS FOR CHURCH GROWTH WRONG NOTION 11: IF THE CHURCH YOU ARE LEADING IS NOT GROWING, THEN IT MEANS YOU ARE NOT CALLED TO LEAD THEM OR YOU ARE LIVING IN SIN WRONG NOTION 12: THE PURPOSE OF CHURCH GROWTH IS AFFLUENCE, NOT INFLUENCE   CHAPTER TWO TRUE SECRETS OF CHURCH GROWTH IN THE EARLY CHURCH i) PURPOSE They focused on the four-fold purpose of the Church of the Lord Jesus, namely: 1. ministering to God (Acts 13:2) 2. ministering to self (Acts 17:11) 3. ministering to other believers (Acts 2: 42) 4. ministering to sinners (Acts 2:37- 41) Rick Warren, in his popular book, "The Purpose-Driven Church," advises ministers to focus on God's purposes for the churches they lead in spite of church growth challenges they face. I believe the ultimate purpose of Church growth is Church rule. Rick Warren said he had had more failures that success in his attempts at church growth. He had experimented with different things that never worked. So he said he could write another book on "1000 Ways NOT To Grow a Church" from his failures. You see, having failures does not make one a failure. But not rising above the failures makes one a failure! The pastor of a mega church here in Nigeria once wrote that at a time in the earlier stage of the church − he told his mentor that the church he was leading was not growing in spite of his effort. To this his mentor replied that church growth is a seasonal thing, and that it will grow at the proper time but he should just keep doing whatever he had been doing. And today that church had exploded in growth! ii) ORGANIZATION In Acts 6:1-6, the apostles organized the structure of the church better, then verse 7 says, "So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith" (NIV). Proper organization facilitates growth by opening the spiritual front door to allow the influx of people and closing the back door to prevent the out flux of people! Sunday Adelaja who is shaking Ukraine fo Christ talked about organization in his wonderful book: "Church Shift." He admitted that when he started pastoring he was ignorant of the significance of organization. He discovered that about 30,000 people had made decision for the Lord in their church but they could not keep them because of his poor organizational skills. So he discussed the issue with his pastors and read books on organization and management. He also invited someone to talk to them about how to organize. (We should be careful the kinds of people or books we consult for assistance when it comes to organizing the church of Jesus in Jesus' own way.) Thank God for the results of his efforts. They became well-organized and effective. And that's one of the keys to the growth of that church, which is the largest church in the whole continent of Europe. He used John 6:1-14 to explain the importance of organization. iii) MINISTRY OF THE WORD "So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, 'It would not be right for us to neglect THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD OF GOD in order to wait on tables. and [we] will give our attention to prayer and THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD.' So THE WORD OF GOD SPREAD. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith" (Acts 6:2, 4, 7, NIV). But wrong teachings will paralyze sound Church growth (see Acts 15, Acts 16:4-5). The people must be fed with the right diet, which falls into 3 categories: 1. pure diet (not mixed with human philosophy, tradition, psychology, demonism or messages of condemnation) 2. proper diet (milk for babes, not adults; and strong meat for adults, not babes) 3. balanced diet (whole counsel of God; not emphasizing some truths while neglecting some others). iv) PRAYER It was true that on the day of Pentecost they won 3,000 people to the Lord. But their prayer habit prepared them for the exploits of that day. Before the day of Pentecost, "they all joined together CONSTANTLY IN PRAYER" (Acts 1:14, NIV). Without constant personal and united prayers, a church will not grow because "the earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working]" (Jam 5:16b, AMP). The pastor of the world's largest church wrote in his wonderful book: My Church Growth Stories, "Before you have massive organized prayer in your church, do not expect to have the miracle of church growth. You can have all kinds of gimmickry, but none of it will work if you do not pay the price through prayer." v) HOME CELL "Breaking bread from HOUSE TO HOUSE AND THE LORD ADDED TO THE CHURCH DAILY" (Acts 2:46-47). This was the major key that brought growth to the largest church in the whole world. vi) SIGNS, WONDERS AND MIRACLES As a result of the signs that occurred on the day of Pentecost, 3,000 people were added to them (Acts 2:6, 41). Also the healing of the lame man at the Beautiful Gate drew the attention of multitude to the extent that 5,000 people believed the message they heard and were added to them (see Acts 3:11; 4:4). vii) PARTNERSHIP WITH GOD Listening to and obeying God's voice brought them outstanding results (Acts 10:9-48). Only the Lord of harvest could lead them to where the field of humanity was ripe enough or ready for harvest (Acts 18:8-11). Attempting to go on their own would have spelt frustration and fruitlessness for them (see Acts 16:6-15). The pastor of the world's largest church wrote that he had packed his things about or over 8 times to quit his ministry due to discouragement in those early days. But thank God for the comfort of the Holy Spirit. One of the servants of God in Africa said it was a particular programme God led him to have every month that brought breakthrough to their church in terms of growth. viii) LEADERSHIP Church growth rises or falls on leadership. Leadership failure produces stunted growth but only good leadership can strategize for and sustain healthy growth. "AS THEY [PAUL AND SILAS] TRAVELED FROM TOWN TO TOWN, THEY DELIVERED THE DECISIONS REACHED BY THE APOSTLES AND ELDERS IN JERUSALEM FOR THE PEOPLE TO OBEY. SO THE CHURCHES WERE STRENGTHENED IN THE FAITH AND GREW DAILY IN NUMBERS" (Acts 16:4-5, NIV). ix) UNITY "And they, continuing daily with ONE ACCORD in the temple AND THE LORD ADDED TO THE CHURCH DAILY such as should be saved" (Acts 2:46-47). Division (double vision) causes church split while unity (oneness of vision) or being of one accord enhances church growth. A house divided against itself cannot stand whereas a united house will never fall (see Mat 12:25, Gen 11:1-9). x) VARIETY OF MEETINGS IN THE TEMPLE Acts 2:42 reveals some of the different kinds of meetings they had. Then verse 46 says, "Every day they continued together in the temple courts" (NIV). What for? Of course, a variety of meetings: ranging from teaching to prayer to fellowship to praise and so on. Then the last verse (47) says, " And the Lord added to their number daily those who are being saved" (NIV). That first Scripture reveals, "They devoted themselves to THE APOSTLES' TEACHING and to THE FELLOWSHIP, to THE BREAKING OF BREAD and to PRAYER" (Acts 2:42, NIV). This Scripture above shows us four different types of meetings which the Early Church practiced initially. They were: i. Teaching meeting ii. Fellowship meeting/believers' meeting iii. Breaking of-bread meting/communion meeting iv. Prayer meeting As time went on they had other types of meetings, too. Today, there should be a balanced diet of meetings such as: i) Teaching Meeting (Acts 2:42) The Scripture says they continued in the Apostles' doctrine or teaching (Acts 2:42). This speaks of teaching meetings. Jesus taught his dicsiples several times (Mat 5-7, Mk 6:6). Paul conducted teaching meetings in different places (Acts 20:20, Acts 11:26). Prolonged and anointed teachings on aparticular subject helps to align the congregation with God's purpose and grace along that line. If a pastor desires to see God's flock baptized with the Holy Spirit and fire, he should teach them in that direction. If he wants them to live holy lives, he should instruct them on holiness. Teaching them on finances, marriage, faith, healing, anointing, soul winning, authority, heaven, hell, the Word, the gifts of the Holy Spirit, fivefold ministry, and so onhelps them to access God's grace and blessings in those areas. ii) Fellowship/Believers' Meeting (Acts 2:42; 1 Cor 14:26) It affords believers the opportunity to minister to one another. Its target is neither to get sinners saved nor to teach the church as we do in a Bible study meeting. Though sinners attending a believers' meeting can get saved and people there can learn a Bible teaching or doctrine. "How is it then brethren? when ye come together, EVERY ONE of you HATH A PSALM, HATH A DOCTRINE, HATH A TONGUE, HATH A REVELATION, HATH AN INTERPRETATION. let all things be done unto EDIFYING" (1 Cor 14:26). Over 90 per cent of churches here, don't observe this. It is fellowship or sharing of the saints (see Acts 2:42). The Greek word translated fellowship in Acts 2:42 means "participation, sharing together, communion" So in a believers' meeting, the saints participate. They don't just sit down like ducks in water or spectators at a football match. No, they share together whatever God put in their spirits according to 1 Cor 14:26. Yes, one believer can give a message in an unknown tongue while another interpret it. One believer can give a psalm while another give a teaching or doctrine. One can give a revelation, vision, prophecy or dream while another give a testimony. We have carved out some time mainly for fellowship or belivers' meeting in our school of ministry or church service at one point in time or the other. But we need to go back to that "first love." In our School of Ministry in August 2014, the fellowship aspect was not effective as the Lord expected because I did not take the pains to explain it to them from the Scriptures. I strongly believe we need to teach people what the Bible says about it (see 1 Cor 14:26, Acts 2:42). But the belivers' meeting in our January 2012 School of Ministry was superb and refreshing. Please read "Plans, Purposes and Pursuits" by Kenneth E. Hagin along this line. iii) Communion/Breaking-of-bread Meeting (Acts 2:42) Paul wrote, "For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till he come" (1 Cor 11:23-26). Acts 2:42 tells us that they continued stedfastly in breaking of bread among other things. We can't substitute prayer or teaching meeting for this, and vice versa. Every pastor should understand the significance of breaking of bread and keep it as a divine ordinance. It should be ministered in the temple and from house to house (see Acts 2:46). Please study Mat 26:17-30, 1 Cor 11:17-34, Jn 6 and Exo 12. iv) Prayer Meeting (Acts 2:42) The Early Church continued in prayer (Acts 2:42). In fact, they had their regular hours of prayer (Acts 3:1). The early disciples saturated themselves with prayers. They took prayer meetings seriously. No wonder they had power with God. A pastor should first and foremost be a man of prayer. Then he should encourage people to be by example. It's a big mistake to use most of the time allotted to a prayer meeting for teaching people how to pray. For example, if a prayer meeting is to last one hour, and we use 50 minutes to teach on prayer but only 5 to 10 minutes to do real praying! That's too bad. Why not use 5 to 10 minutes to teach or charge them on prayer, then 50 minutes? You see, if you use 50 minutes to speak on prayer but 5 to 10 minutes to pray, then you are having a teaching meeting, and not a prayer meeting! There are different types of prayers. You can read my book: "School of Life " or "Basic Bible Course." People should be taught the kind of prayer to use in a particular situation (Eph 6:18). In a prayer meeting, people can be exhorted briefly on how to pray, but the purpose of the meeting should be praying, not talking about prayer. In addition to that, there should be teaching meeting to really teach people how to really pray. For instance, a church may use their teaching meeting or Bible study on Wednesdays to teach people how to pray with little time to really pray. But they may use their prayer meeting on Fridays to practise at length what they have learnt on Wednesday. This can go on for 1 month or more. v) Worship/Praise Meeting (Acts 13:2) 'While they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them" ' (Acts 13:2, NIV). I believe this is the most important kind of meeting we can have. Pastors should create enough opportunity for people to minister to the Lord. There should be meetings where people come to worship God. That's the purpose of such a gathering. Not to teach or pray or minister to the sick. Though those other things could crop up as God leads butthey are not the major focus (1 Chron 15:16-29, 2 Chron 5:11-14). vi) Leadership Meeting (Acts 20: 17-37, Acts 15:6-21) Acts 15 tells us of a leaders' meeting in Jerusalem. It targetted to answer a hard question starring some church leaders in the face. Also Paul conducted a leadership conference for elders (or pastors) in Miletus (Acts 20:17-38). Usually, this kind of meeting is not for every Tom, Dick and Harry. Neither is it for babes in Christ. Here leaders feast on tender and tough meat of the Word. Issues which cannot be addressed in a general church meeting are dealt with. Bony meat which cannot be served to just any church member is served and eaten. A pastor should organize regular periodic meetings with the leaders of the church, without which they cannot be at the peak of their performance. God told Moses to have a leaders' meeting (Exo 3:16-18). David summoned a similar meeting (1 Chron 28). vii) Healing Meeting (Acts 5:15-16) "When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick" (Mat 14:14, NIV). This scripture speaks of a healing meeting. The purpose of a healing service is to heal the sick. Some may be healed, all may be healed or none may be healed due to one reason or the other. Even Jesus who had the Spirit without measure did not heal all the sick he ministered to. At a time, he healed all the sick he ministered to (Mat 12:15, Luk 9:10) but at another time, he could only heal a few no matter how hard he tried. Their unbelief hindered him (Mk 6:4-6, Lk 4:23). One can conduct a healing meeting and minister by faith with the believer's anointing (Acts 1:8, Jn 14:12-14, Mk 16:17-20, Mt 17:14-21). On the other hand, one can minister with a tangible healing anointing resulting from the gifts of healings, gift of faith or working of miracles (1 Cor 12:9- 10, 28-30). Luke 5:15 says people came to hear Jesus and be healed. Then one day, while he was having a teaching meeting, he realized that the healing anointing was present to heal. So he quickly switched over to the healing anointing (see verse 17). Sometimes, we can have 2 or 3 different kinds of meetings in just one programme, but we must be led of the Spirit and sensitive to the anointing present in a meeting! viii) Evangelistic Meeting (Acts 8:4-12, Acts 2:14-41) The purpose of this meeting is to get people born-again. For example, Peter led an evangelistic meeting on the day of Pentecost. And about 3,000 people got saved. That was neither a praise meeting nor a healing meeting (see Acts 2). An evangelistic meeting could be held inside or outside the church building. A minister should follow God's leading here. I believe there is a time to have it inside the church building and there is a time to go out there where sinners are. A pastor could lead this meeting doing the work of an evangelist or he could invite an evangelist (like Philip in Acts 8) to lead it. ix) Prophetic Meeting (Acts 11:27-28) This kind of meeting has a strong spirit of prophecy reasting upon it. Sometimes, the gift of prophecy is operating through a prophetic minister. Not every meetin can be called a prophetic one. A teaching meeting, for example, instructs us on how to apply Scriptural principles to life's issues. A prophetic meeting, however, opens us up to what God is saying to the church at the moment. The minister speaking speaks as God's mouth-piece. He may even prophesy to some or all of the people present only as the Spirit wills. At times, he may not give people personal prophecies but preaches or teaches prophetically with a distinct anointing as an oracle of God (Deut 31:30, Deut 32, Deut 33, 1Sam 10:5-12). My book: "The Ministry of a Prophet" may help you more along this line. x) Dedication/Consecration/Ordination Meeting This kind of meeting is used for dedicating someone or something to God. It is an avenue for dedicating one's life to God (Ro 12:1-2). It can be used for ordaining people to ministry officially (Acts 6:5-6, Acts 14:23, Lev 8-9), dedicating a child (1 Sam 1:21-28, Lk 2:21- 40), dedicating property (1 Kgs 8:1-66), dedicate or re-dedicate a marriage, and so on. The purpose of a dedication meeting is to make somebody or something readily avalable for God's use. Ordination, Christian baptismal, wedding, birthday and christening (naming) services are dedication or consecration meetings. They are a clarion call for consecration. Baptismal candidates, brides and their bridegrooms, and birthday celebrants are to be dedicated to God in one area or another through those services while attenders at memorial services are to be charged to be born-again or re-dedicate their 'Christian' lives to God. xi) Reporting/Testimony Meeting (Acts 14:27) The Scripture says of Paul and Barnabas , "From Attalia they sailed back to Antioch, where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work they had now completed. On arriving there, they gathered the church togetherand REPORTED all that God had done through them and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles" (Acts 14:26-27, NIV; see also Acts 4: 23-24). A pastor should make room for all these different kinds of meetings for they are God's plan for the church today. Remember that variety is the spice of life. For further study on New Testament meetings, read our coming-out-soon book: "The Apostolic Church." xi) DECENT AND CONDUCIVE PLACES OF WORSHIP The same temple the apostles ministered in while in Jerusalem was the same temple Jesus ministered in. The Scripture says of that temple, 'As Jesus was leaving the Temple that day, one of his disciples said, "Teacher, look at these MAGNIFICENT BUILDINGS! Look at the IMPRESSIVE STONES IN THE WALLS." Jesus replied, "Yes, look at these great buildings. But they will be completely demolished. Not one stone will be left on top of another!" ' (Mk 13:1-2, NLT). The Oxford Senior Dictionary defines 'magnificent' as 'splendid in appearance etc; excellent in quality.' Simply put, that temple was excellent, attractive and impressive. In fact, Luke 21:5 (NIV) says, "Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was ADORNED WITH BEAUTIFUL STONES AND WITH GIFTS DEDICATED TO GOD." No wonder one of its gates was rightly called the Beautiful Gate, not the Ugly Gate (see Acts 3:2). I believe also that the synagogues in the various cities and towns where the apostles: Paul, Peter, and so on ministered were decent and conducive. xii) PLANNING Planning is a process of setting out your plans clearly ahead of time. The Oxford Senior Dictionary defines 'plan' as 'a method or way of proceeding thought out in advance.' Jesus said, "But don't begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it?" Otherwise, you might complete only the foundation before running out of money, and then everyone would laugh at you. They would say, 'There's the person who started that building and couldn't afford to finish it!' (Lk 14:28-30, NLT). Someone rightly said, "Men don't plan to fail but they fail to plan." Another person said, "Always plan ahead, it wasn't raining when Noah built the ark." Still another individual noted, "He who does not look ahead remains behind." Church growth is enhanced by having targets or setting goals. Paul put it this way, "Therefore I DO NOT RUN like a man running AIMLESSLY" (1Cor 9:26a, NIV). The Amplified Bible renders it as, "Therefore I DO NOT RUN UNCERTAINLY (WITHOUT DEFINITE AIM)" xiii) MONEY Eccles 10:19 says, "money answers all things." Ask any pastor who has had some success in church growth oth in terms of quality and quantity, and he will tell you there is great financial commitment involved! This verse above never says money can do all things. You see, money cannot do all things, but as a servant it answers us when we call it to go and meet some needs. Why did some in the Early Church sell their property and bring the money to the apostle's feet? The reason was: apostolic anointing without money may bring apostolic frustation. So God had to make money available for his work. Though money may not come as quickly as we think. There is always a wilderness experince whereby you go through hard times before you come to Cannan flowing with milk and honey.   SINNERS CONFESSION If you are not yet born-again, say this: I choose to repent today. Also I choose to believe that Jesus died for my sins and rose up for my justification. The Scripture says, If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved (Rom 10:9). Therefore, I believe in Jesus in my heart and confess Him as my Lord. Now I am born-again (Amen).   SAY THIS ALOUD TO RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT Also Jesus said, But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you and you will be my witnesses (Acts 1:8). And on the day of Pentecost All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance (Acts 2:4). Therefore, I receive the Holy Spirit by faith right now and I begin to speak in an unknown tongue (unlearned tongue) as He gives me the utterance. I command every foul spirit [spirit of fear, spirit of unbelief, spirit of doubt, religious spirit, unforgiving spirit] wanting to hinder me to stop in its evil operation in my life in Jesus name. Thank you God for filling me with your Spirit in Jesus name (Amen).   Books By The Same Author How to Interpret Dreams and Visions Why Marriages Break How to Find the Right Life Partner Secrets of Financial and Material Prosperity How to Receive Your Divine Healing Unfolding the Fivefold Ministry The Ministry of an Apostle The Ministry of a Prophet The Ministry of an Evangelist The Ministry of a Pastor The Ministry of a Teacher Passion for the Lost Understanding the Call of God Basic Bible Course How to Receive the Holy Spirit Fulfilling Your Divine Destiny Day of Reckoning: God's Formula for Eternal Rewards Identifying Counterfeit Ministries Sanctification: Changing from Inside Out O Suffering, Why Really Me? Intimacy with God The Pastor's Wife Why Some Churches Won't Grow! Just Before You Start A Church How to Prepare and Deliver Sermons Finding Your Own Ministry False Doctrines Exposed! How to Raise Money for Ministry. SPECIAL! SPECIAL! SPECIAL! A MUST READING/VIEW (Google the following free of charge on the Internet and God will change your life forever.) 1. Holiness Required For Heaven by Carillo from Bolivia 2. Eternal Destinations: Godly Attire and Adornment 3. Another Warning by Kingsley Ubani 4. Time Is Over : Run For Your Life by Kingsley Ubani 5. 9 Testimonies on Tithing from Heaven and Hell Visions 6. The Dangers of Eating Gods Tithes and Offerings 7. The Visitation of Jesus to Samuel Oghenetega (Crosscheck these testimonies with the Scriptures and if you have questions you may send us an email.) About the Author Segun Olumide and his wife, Tosin are founding ministers in the New Apostolic Movement and the Glorious Family Church International both in Lagos, Nigeria. He has a divine mandate to align the Church with God's purpose. In a vision, the Lord showed him a Bible opened to the Acts of the Apostles with the words APOSTOLIC CALL on one of the pages. They reach out through School Of Ministry, School of Life (Pre-Bible School), NAM Bible School and NAM Correspondence Bible School and Healing School. His apostolic teachings have blessed the Body of Christ across the nation. Connect with me online If God has blessed you through this book, please send me an e-mail to share your testimony, inspiration or reading experience, mail to: [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/olumide.olusegun.5 NAM PARTNERS (NEW APOSTOLIC MOVEMENT PARTNERS) Abundance of peace be multiplied to you in Jesus' name. If God has blessed you through this ministry, I want you to prayerfully consider becoming a financial and prayer partner with us in discipling the nations for Christ before he comes back. Surely you will reap the reward on earth and also in eternity, as you follow Jesus to the end. You may support us in prayer daily. Also you may support us financially with any amount of money God lays upon your heart just once, monthly, every 3 months, every 6 months or yearly as it is convenient for you. You may contact us by email: [email protected] or call: +234-816-1297-781. God bless you real good. All rights reserved. Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com |