The secret to church growth

From fitness to dieting and relationships to aging, just some examples of the things which people long to discover the secret to. We long for a key which unlocks our struggle and makes it easy! Church growth fits into that same category. We want our churches to be successful and grow - so what's the secret, what is the key?

Today's passage doesn't give us one key, but two. Two key ingredients which make up a successful recipe for church growth.

Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, spreading the word only among Jews. Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, 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.

Acts 11:19-21

So what are the key ingredients?

The first is a church which shares. Wherever they are, whoever they meet, the people who are the church, share the message of Jesus. It seems obvious, but sometimes we need to state the obvious. A church will not grow, if it is not talking about Jesus.

The second is 'the Lord's hand was with them.' Ultimately God grows his church. As we speak, we need him to act. And here's the thing, when God speaks, he always acts. So we must ensure, we speak the right words. His word. And we must speak to him, asking for his hand to be with us, so that his church will grow.

Tied in with this - perhaps it is a catalyst, the church is bold. The church was persecuted and scattered. Pushed out, it would be natural to be afraid, to try and assimilate - but the church acted with faith filled boldness. They spoke, they seen the Lord's hand at work and they grew.

Our circumstances can fill us with fear - but let's act with faith filled with boldness, to see His church grow.