If we experienced the conversion growth of the Early Church, would we be ready? To be sure, the rapid, and even daily, growth in the Early Church was a phenomenon of its beginning days. That, of course, doesn’t mean we can’t see regular conversion growth in our churches today. For that to happen, though, we must observe two points about their growth:
- The Church fostered an environment conducive to such growth (Acts 2:42-47a).
- God was the One who “added daily those who were being saved” (Acts 2:47b).
God isn’t going to entrust us with more if we aren’t faithful with what we have. In Jesus’ Parable of the Talents, we read that those who faithfully invested what their master gave them received more. — “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.” (Matt. 25:14-30)
Questions to Ask about Our Readiness for Conversion Growth
We can’t have an occasional outreach efforts and expect regular conversion growth in our churches. We must devote ourselves to that which is conducive to such growth. We must be ready for it. Based on what Acts 2:42-47 tells us about what the Early Church devoted themselves to, here are some questions to ask about our readiness for God to regularly add to our churches those who are being saved. (Clicking on links below each question will take you to online equipping to become more ready in that area.)
- Is our teaching and shepherding ministry ready to take those whom the Lord adds to the next step … to help people grow spiritually, becoming more and more Christ-like through equipping, discipling, mentoring, etc.?
Christian Education Ministry
Shepherding Ministry
Teaching Ministry
- Do we have an ongoing plan for assimilating people into fellowship … to help them find belonging as members of His family?
- How devoted are we to praying for and with people … to help them rely on His power as they commune with Him?
- Are we willing to share of our time and resources with people in their times of need, struggles, crisis, etc. … to help them know first hand the love of God toward them?
- Is our worship truly about the Lord … to help people glorify Him, causing them to stand in awe of Him?
Church leaders, click this link for more to consider about: Church Growth