IGSCHOOL OF LEARNING

PIEDMONT COLLEGE OF THEOLOGY ASIA PACIFIC

RESEARCH AND GRADUATE SCHOOL

Date: Submitted: June 6, 2019

Name: Jay Abel O. Salamatin

Address: Centro 1 Santa Lourdes, Puerto Princesa City Palawan

Contact: 09165448648

Academic Program: Master of Arts in Ministry

Subject: Ministry Practicum

4. Using Biblical passages present your biblical understanding of Church growth including its
biblical assessment.

A growing church is made up of growing believers. Jesus Christ is the foundation

and source of its growth. He said in Matthew 16:18 And I say also unto thee, that thou art
Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against
it.

Church growth is the result of its being healthy. It is clear that a healthy church
naturally grows. In Acts 2:42-47 we read that despite persecution, lack of buildings, and other
barriers, the first church grew daily.

“42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of
bread, and in prayers. 43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were
done by the apostles. 44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45
And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. 46
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, {from…: or, at home} 47
Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily
such as should be saved.”

It is also noticeable that a growing church highly emphasized the essentials

of teaching, fellowship, worship, and prayer.

Growing churches focus on multiplication. The church at Antioch prayed and

fasted and then sent its top leaders to start new churches.

Acts 13:1-5
1 Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as
Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had
been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. {which…: or, Herod’s foster brother} 2 As
they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul
for the work whereunto I have called them. 3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid
their hands on them, they sent them away. 4 So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost,
departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus. 5 And when they were at
Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John
to their minister.

When the church in Jerusalem was persecuted after Stephen's death, they did not worry
about the drop in church attendance! Instead, they scattered to many communities and started
new churches.

Acts 8: 4 “Therefore they that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word.”
 The church naturally grew as people shared the good news of Jesus with
friends and neighbours and some of these individuals came to faith in Christ. When
we are actively seeking God and loving one another, local churches naturally grow in their faith
and in number of attendees.

Growing churches tend to have shared leadership. From Acts 13:1-5 we see that
the large, growing church in Antioch had at least five teachers from a diversity of cultural
backgrounds. When Paul wrote to Timothy (1 Timothy 3) and Titus (Titus 1), he wanted them
to select elders (plural) for local congregations.

Titus 1:5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are
wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: {wanting: or, left undone}

The early church's growth was associated with meeting (practical) needs of
every believer and others through its spiritual gifts. James taught, "Religion that is pure
and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and
to keep oneself unstained from the world" (James 1:27). He considered both personal purity
and serving others as essential in the church.