How to Grow the Church?

How can you grow the church? Well, I admit that’s sort of a trick question. You can’t. The historian Luke writes about the church in the first century and reports, “And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.”[i] The Scriptures say that only one person can truly grow the church, and that is the Lord. He alone saves and adds souls to the body of Christ; the invisible church. He alone sovereignly oversees any and every person associated with the visible church. This makes sense because Christ is both Lord and Head of the church.[ii]

But many people today think they can grow the church. Innovation and pragmatism mark our period of church history. Confessional theology and church practice based on Scripture is often considered outdated. Many who chant the mantra Sola Scriptura (Scripture Alone) hardly apply this central Reformation principle.

But church growth gurus have not merely overlooked one part of one verse in the Bible, simply missing the bit about the Lord sovereignly adding to the number of the church, they have also jettisoned the framework in which the Lord normally brings people into the church. The verses surrounding Luke’s statement in Acts 2:47 (quoted above) are profoundly simple, yet simply profound. They do not offer pragmatic tips on how to grow a church, draw a large crowd, or be effective in garnering “decisions”. Rather, the focus of the early first century church was on what theologians often call the means of grace.

For example, Acts 2:42 says, “And they [the apostles and church] devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” The Westminster Shorter Catechism question 88 asks, “What are the outward means whereby Christ communicates to us the benefits of redemption?”

It answers as follows:The outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicates to us the benefits of redemption are his ordinances, especially the word, sacraments and prayer; all which are made effectual to the elect for salvation.

In answering this question, the Catechism virtually pulls out several pieces of Acts 2:42 and lays them on the table of the church for them to feast upon. What are they? Well, first lets define means of grace. According to the Catechism, they are “the outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicates to us the benefits of redemption”. So that’s simple enough. In other words, the way God normally works to save and sanctify His elect comes through various activities the church emphasizes. Or, as the catechism suggests, these means of grace are, by Christ, “made effectual to the elect for salvation”. To be sure, one is not saved by the church or through the church. One is only saved upon hearing the gospel and responding in faith and repentance- a faith in Christ and repentance from sin which is sovereignly given by the Holy Spirit. Christ is seen and heard in the means of grace. So what are they? What are these means of grace? Let me mention the three primary ones.

1.  The Word of God

First, God’s Word is absolutley foundational to the church. A church that reads, prays, teaches, and preaches Scripture is a church participating in one of the chief activities that the apostles and their fellow Christians in the first century “devoted themselves” to. A church that only gives lip service to the Word of God, or places other activities (eg. music) above the Bible is an example of an aberrant congregation who has gone astray from apostolic norms.

Baptism Service 2018

Baptism Service

Unlike the Lord's Supper, believers' baptism is a one time event where disciples identify with Jesus and the body of Christ.  Because baptism is only done on a "as needed" basis it is always a highlight in the life of any Christian fellowship.

This year we heard six stellar testimonies.  Everyone who was baptized was under thirty yet each one is pursuing the Lord with singular passion and focus.  God is doing something special at LCBC.  "For from Him and to Him and through Him be all thanks to Him be the glory forever!"

It was a tremendous blessing for Pastors Josh, Kent, and I to have front row seats for this most sacred service.  Please join us in encouraging these faithful Christians to "excel still more."  Truly His grace is amazing!

Special Baptism Service: Celebrating New Life in Christ

On Sunday, August 12th five young adults will be baptized during a special service at Mike and Jody Koehns.  We hope you will join us for the special celebration of new life in Christ.  This event is especially encouraging in the life of this Lake Country Bible Church (now in it's twentieth year).  For many years, faithful church members at Lake Country Bible Church prayed that God would send more young families and young adults to our Word-centered congregation.  Pastor Sal and many others faithfully preached and served and waited on the Lord.  In His perfect timing the Lord began to answer these petitions.  The quality of of the Spirit-filled believers who have become part of what was already a wonderful congregation over the past three years is so encouraging.

Whether one is a pastor, a parent, or a faithful church member all glory belongs to God.  As Scripture clearly notes, as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor.  For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.

What We Believe Scripture Teaches Concerning Baptism