You can have a part in helping your church to grow in numbers, to grow in strength, and to grow in impact in your community.

• Jesus builds the church. (Matthew 16:18)
• Ministers build the church. (1 Corinthians 3:10)
• People build the church. (Ephesians 4:12)

On this podcast you will learn:

• How your actions in and outside the church impact the effectiveness of your local church.
• Three keys to building a strong local church.
• What you can do to help visitors feel at home in your church.

Listen to the podcast. It will help you to find your place in God’s plan for reaching others through your local church.

This message is a part of the Online Believers School of Ministry.

How to Build Your Church

“And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;” Ephesians 2:1, KJV. “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.” Ephesians 2:19-22, KJV.

MAIN THOUGHT. As a member of the Body of Christ and a part of a local church, you can help your church to grow by creating an environment of love, by reaching out to those around you and by welcoming others the fellowship of believers.

GROWTH—it is normal for things to grow.  But God’s growth is not just about numbers (nickels and noses) it’s a construction program made up of individual parts fitly joined together to create a body which is a reflection of Jesus. It is a place where God lives. The picture is an healthy organism, not just a crowd. Illustration, our farm.

WHOSE HE TALKING TOO—You has He quickened. Born again through the work of Jesus Christ. Gospel message and  how to receive!

HOUSEHOLD OF GOD—It’s a picture of family, relationship, love, respect, and working together in the Father’s kingdom. When we come into the family, we are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens. We belong. This is one of our greatest assets in reaching others for Christ. Because everyone is looking for companionship, camaraderie, a sense of belonging.

CORNERSTONE—Jesus is the cornerstone. Everything emanates out from Him. He is the head of the corner. The cornerstone was the stone that aligned the rest of the building.

Everything worthwhile is built in alignment with Him—His death and resurrection, His teaching, His mission, and His character. When we line ourselves up with HIm, the building will be constructed properly. Attitudes, speech, actions? (Mark 1:17, Luke 19:10) Are you willing to step into a new facet of your ministry. Are you willing to change to see your church grow?

Example: Tom moves into the Evangelistic ministry. Burden, prayer, study, meditate, connecting with evangelists, and PRACTICE.

TOGETHER—together with the Lord. Together with one another. “Teamwork makes the dream work.” It’s the cooperative effort of each unique part that make the body function in building itself up in love. Diversities of Gifts, but the same Spirit. We must be “fitly framed” by the Lord.

Example: Church in Des Moines involves the entire Wed. night group in a children’s outreach.

According to the Scriptures:

• Jesus builds the church. (Mark 16:18, I will build my Church…)
• Five-fold ministry gifts build the church. (1 Cor 3:10 As a wise master builder and others build thereon.)
• Individual members of the Body build the church. (Eph. 4:11 amp., so that they may do the work of building up Christ’s body the Church.)

Three keys to growing (or building) your local church:

CREATING AN ENVIRONMENT OF LOVE (Alignment with Jesus)

If you were God, would you send someone to your church? Is it a healthy place for them to grow? Will they receive the care and nurture they need.

• Love for God. An atmosphere where God’s love can be experienced. Tom’s experience. Wild service, but there was reality. Your personal life! One the biggest complaints of people who do not attend church is that church people are hypocrites. The other one is that we are judgmental. Only 2 percent say that they do not attend church because they do not believe in God and Jesus.
• Love for one another. “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” John 13:35, KJV.
• Love for the visitor. Surveys indicate that people make a decision of whether to return within 7 minutes of entering the building. “We are glad you are here.” Think about what is best for the visitor, not yourself. “A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly…” Proverbs 18:24

REACHING OUT TO THOSE AROUND YOU (Alignment with Jesus)

Heart—Be willing. “The Lord is …not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9, KJV. The good shepherd left the 99, and went after the one.

Part of the evangelist’s ministry is to equip and inspire believers in their witness. We have classes to help Christians to share their faith. There is a mission field right outside your door.

Statistics show that 80-90 percent of all people who come to Christ, come as the result of the witness or an invitation for a friend or family member. Also, one out of four unchurched people say that they would visit a church if someone invited them.

Example: Fellow worker invites Tom and Susan over for dinner. Don’t quit inviting!

Also, statistics show that many born again people are not a part of a local church. Through your ministry to can help them to find a place. If you believe that your church is good place to grow and find rest, then you will WANT to invite others.

WELCOMING OTHERS INTO THE FOLD (Alignment with Jesus)

People need to be integrated into the fellowship socially. People will visit a church for a time because of the worship team or the Pastor, but they will not likely stay unless they find friends in the church. You may not think that your ministry is valuable, but if you can be a friend to someone and help them to connect with Jesus’ Church, you are providing a valuable service to the Lord. “…Greet the friends by name.” 3 John 1:14, KJV. Include people socially. Give them something to do. Make them feel that they are part of the group.

Example: Ladies visit my wife and have a Bible Study with her.

Visitor’s Card, follow up, discipleship program. Someone should be in charge.

CONCLUSION: The local church is like a family inviting someone over for dinner. You need to extend a warm invitation, give them good directions, pick up your socks, prepare a good meal, make them feel at ease in your home, and invite them to come again soon! That is how you can help your church to grow.

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