Pray for Your Church: The Foundations (6)
… that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love. Ephesians 4.14-16
A growing body
The Church—and your church—is the Body of Christ. But, unlike the daughters of Zeus, the Church does not spring full grown from its Head. Paul says a church must “grow up in all things” into Jesus, to look more like Jesus and carry out the work Jesus would do were He bodily present with us.
Back in the ’70’s and ’80’s, a movement within the evangelical world understood the importance of encouraging churches to embrace their calling to grow up into Jesus. While not all aspects of the “church growth movement” focused on numerical increase, that outcome was the one that appealed to pastors and churches most of all. What could churches do to present themselves to their community in such a way that people might be, first, interested in church all over again, then, more likely to visit or participate in some way, and finally, become members of the church or at least “regular attenders”. Of course, the hope was that many would be led to Jesus along the way, and, in fact, many were.
But churches have been taken captive by the idea that “church growth” equals numerical increase of visitors, attenders, and members. So much so, that we measure the “health” of our church primarily in numerical ways: How many baptisms and new members? Amount of offerings? Size of the church’s budget—especially for the work of missions? Number of staff and facilities? Groups and programs?
Increasing the numbers in each of those areas has come to be for many pastors, leaders, and church members the most important objective and the primary indicator that their church is growing.
But this is not what Paul took as the criteria of a healthy, growing church. His focus was more on the quality of the church than any aspect of its quantity. In fact, “numbers” are mentioned in the New Testament in connection with the growth of the church only in passing terms, as a certain kind of evidence that God’s Spirit is at work. Seeking numerical growth of any kind is never put before any church as an aim to pursue. The New Testament assumes not that quantity equals quality, but that quality matters most when it comes to hallmarks of a healthy, growing church. Quantity, in the meantime, is the Lord’s remit (1 Cor. 3.5-7).
Let’s take a closer look.
Benchmarks of growth
In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul mentions two primary indicators of a healthy, growing church: unity and maturity. Each of these may be further subdivided.
Unity, for example, has two aspects, mentioned in our text. A healthy church has “unity of faith”. One focus of faith—our Lord Jesus Christ—holds the attention of church leaders and members and sets the tone, framework, and goal for “all things” the church does. We are committed to Jesus and to growing as the Body of Christ and members thereof. We are united in seeking the Lord as individuals and a congregation.
That gives rise to unity “of the knowledge of the Son of God”, that is, a determination, individually and corporately, to improve in our walk with and work for the Lord—our oneness in Him. Healthy, growing churches have as their foundation (as we have seen) pursuing Jesus and becoming like Him in all we do, individually and together.
Maturity subdivides into four marks, and I can only summarize them here: First, “no longer children”—that is, maturing by feeding on the solid food of God’s Word so as not to be drawn away from Christ by false teachings.
Second, “speaking the truth in love”, and this implies both in our relationships with one another inside the Body of Christ as well as in the nooks and crannies of our community. A healthy growing church, focused on Jesus and united in Him, talks about Jesus and about following Him, and does so patiently and lovingly.
Third, “every joint supplies” its unique contribution to the health of the Body. Every member has a calling from the Lord and has been given gifts for building the church. Mere “pew sitters” need to get busy.
Fourth, “edifying itself in love”, that is, in the congregation and its members love of God and love of neighbors are the primary indicators of growth. Not snappy worship services, full parking lots, impressive facilities, or any other outward thing. Love.
So, how do we promote such growth?
The process of growth
Paul tells us: “…pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ…” A church grows when every member of the Body of Christ is committed to the work of ministry, working their Personal Mission Field day by day with increasing attentiveness and love. Every member, not just some. And throughout each day and all they do, not just in programs at the church.
Church members fulfill this calling, which builds up the Body of Christ in unity and maturity when their pastors and teachers equip them for this work. Intentionally. Continuously. Personally, as shepherds over the flock of God. With a view to achieving a healthy, growing church.
And we can help this process to work as God intends if we will pray for our church. Here’s a prayer you can use:
Lord Jesus, Head of our church,
enable us to grow up into You
in all that we are and do!
Help us to become equipped
for every good work of ministry
so that we increase,
daily, monthly, and annually,
in unity and maturity,
for Your glory
and the progress of Your Kingdom.
For reflection
1. What are you doing to become equipped for your work of ministry?
2. Do you know the specific work of ministry God has called you to pursue? Have you mapped out your Personal Mission Field?3. Have you offered to help in the equipping ministries of your church?
Next steps—Preparation: Identify your calling from the Lord by mapping out your Personal Mission Field. Seek training for any aspects of this calling as you need it.
T. M. Moore
Give thanks
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment and give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).
Knowing Jesus
Being confident witnesses begins in our relationship with Jesus, in knowing Him. Two books can help you grow in Jesus. To Know Him is a brief and lively exposition of Philippians 3.7-11 and explains what Paul means by this. You can order your copy by clicking here. Be Thou My Vision offers 28 daily meditations on Jesus, drawing on Scripture and writings from the period of the Celtic Revival. Order your copy by clicking here.
Thank you.
Many of you are faithful and generous in praying for and supporting Crosfigell and The Fellowship of Ailbe. Thank you. I encourage all our readers to seek the Lord about becoming a supporter of The Fellowship of Ailbe. It’s easy to give to The Fellowship of Ailbe, and all gifts are, of course, tax-deductible. You can click here to donate online through credit card or PayPal or Anedot, or send your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, P. O. Box 8213, Essex, VT 05451.
Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
