“Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Him who is the head, that is, Christ. From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” (Ephesians 4:15–16)
There is an inevitability to the growth of the church in Paul’s description here. We planted New Life Church during the heyday of the Church Growth Movement. Pastors around the country were touting this or that Church Growth Model.
Each was saying, “Try my method and your church will grow, probably, hopefully…maybe.” But not inevitably.
In Ephesians 4, Paul outlines his own church growth model. It is as simple to understand as it is challenging to carry out. It begins with a spirit of unity. That involves each member of the church being humble, patient, and loving with each other.
This leads to a unity of faith as, together, we serve, “one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”
When there is unity in the Spirit and in the faith, God gives His church the equipment it needs for growth: spiritual gifts. Now, not only are church members loving each other, they also have the tools to minister to each other.
And the church simply grows.
Does this church growth model work? It did for the first church. “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer [Unity of Spirit and Faith]. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles [Spiritual Gifts]…. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved [Inevitable Growth].” (Acts 2:42-43, 47)
Join us Sunday for my message, “Divine Glue.” See you there!
