Church growth: it’s the desire of every pastor. It’s the goal of each evangelist. Apostles strive to facilitate it. Prophets declare it. Teachers equip saints to fulfill it. Every Christian I know wants the Acts 2:47…and the Lord added to the church daily… experience in their local assembly. 

Some define church growth by numbers and while numerical growth is a piece of it, it is not the whole. Some look at what other churches and organizations are doing and imitate them in an effort to achieve church growth. Unfortunately, some have even tried methods that violate and/or compromise the fundamentals of the apostolic faith in an effort to achieve church growth.

What does God have to say about church growth? Are there any foundational principles laid out in the Bible that, if followed, produce church growth? Let’s look to the Word and find out. First, let me point out the verse that precedes Acts 2:47. To help, I’ve boldfaced and underlined the key phrase…

Acts 2:46 (KJV)

And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, 

God will add daily to a “continuing daily” people. If you only give God once-a-week type of worship, don’t expect Him to “daily” load you with benefits; it just doesn’t work that way.

Secondly, there are four pillars upon which church growth was achieved in the 1st Century, and if followed in the 21st Century, we too will see daily church growth. These pillars are found in Acts 2:42…

Acts 2:42 (KJV)

And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 

1) Commitment to Truth

They continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine! We cannot un-dot one “i” or un-cross one “t” of the apostolic message! We may change the color scheme of the sanctuary or the style of tithing envelopes or the mainframe of our website, but as long as I serve as lead pastor, WE WILL NEVER CHANGE THE APOSTOLIC MESSAGE!

Solomon said it well – “Buy the truth and sell it not” (Proverbs 23:23) 

Naboth had the right idea when he told Ahab he would not sell the inheritance of his fathers! (1 Kings 21:3) 

You have to get a love for this truth and never sell out to heresy. Brian Kinsey says, “Heresies will come and if they can talk you out of truth, you never really had it to begin with.” His point is that truth is final.

There are some characteristics that describe God, and one of them is truth. In fact, the Bible says, “God IS truth!”

We are to worship Him in spirit and in truth!

Continuing steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine means staying committed to truth!

2) Connected with the Body 

…and in fellowship…

No one is an island, and while we all love solitude and quiet time alone, we need each other. The Bible instructs us to NOT forsake the assembling of ourselves together, especially in light of the soon coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Hebrews 10:25).

Fellowship provides strength. Fellowship offers a helping hand. Fellowship exposes the body to the strength of what it means to be a family.

This second principle of church growth does not just mean filling up the calendar with events, but instead, having purposeful plans that strengthen and encourage growth within each individual. The stronger the individual, the stronger the church!

3) Communion; remembering His sacrifice

…and in breaking of bread…

Some scholars believe this was a moment when the disciples would break bread as Jesus did and pass it around. It was a way to remember Him and the sacrifice He made on the cross. 

Celebrating communion, however, is not like having a weekly lunch date. It is not to be viewed as dinner engagement, but rather as something solemn and sobering. In fact, those that partake of the communion drink and bread, drink and eat damnation to themselves if they do so unworthily which means they have not dealt with sin in their life. (1 Corinthians 11:29)

This part of church growth calls upon me to deal with my sinful ways and die daily before the Lord. It’s not just cleaning up my act so I can drink the cup or eat the bread every once in a while during a communion ceremony, it’s daily remembering the sacrifice Jesus made and making myself a living sacrifice for Him. (Romans 12:1-2)

4) Conversing with God

…and in prayers…

Prayer is not an option, it is an imperative! It is vital to the success of the individual and to church growth. Just because it’s the fourth item listed does not imply that it’s the least of importance. Prayer ushers me into the throne room of grace where I can make my petitions known to God. And it’s a daily lifestyle of prayer, not just praying before the worship celebration starts.

Learn to build altars in your personal life. Turn your couch or bedside into an altar. Go into you garage or basement and lay prostrate before the Lord. Discover God where He is. He will meet you at the place of your prayers. Study those in the Bible that built altars and you will find that these were the ones who are the heroes of faith listed in Hebrews 11. On the negative side, men like King Saul never built a personal altar and the end of his life is being rejected by God.

Apex… 

These four things are what we can do to facilitate church growth. It doesn’t matter what the magazines or books say for those words are not forever settled in heaven, but the Word of God is. While I’ve learned from the experiences of others, and rejoice with their efforts of evangelism, outreach, and discipleship, the key is found right here in the book of Acts.

Ultimately God gives the increase! Notice that He added to the church daily. Furthermore, the Bible even says that while one plant’s and another water’s, it is God that gives the increase! (1 Corinthians 3:6-7). 

Jesus said, “And…upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18).

The psalmist proclaimed, “Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it…” (Psalm 127:1).

The point is this; you do what you’re called to do – continue steadfastly in the apostles doctrine, and in fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers – and God will do what He does best – add to the church daily!