Characteristics of Characteristics of aa

Growing ChurchGrowing Church

1.1. Members have a deep awareness & Members have a deep awareness & urgency for the lost around them (Jn. urgency for the lost around them (Jn. 4:31-35)4:31-35)

2.2. Lost people are a priority (Luke 19:10; Lost people are a priority (Luke 19:10; 6:40; 15:1-326:40; 15:1-32

✓ How much are we like Jonah?How much are we like Jonah?

3.3. Evangelism is a church strategy (Eph. Evangelism is a church strategy (Eph. 4)4)

✓ Need for leaders equipping & training Need for leaders equipping & training the saintsthe saints

✓ The Acts 6:2-4 principleThe Acts 6:2-4 principle

4.4. Members respect the coming-to-Christ Members respect the coming-to-Christ process: gentleness & patience as they process: gentleness & patience as they growgrow

5.5. New friendships are made and maximizedNew friendships are made and maximized✓ ““Close proximity is needed for “salt” to workClose proximity is needed for “salt” to work✓ Members do not over-schedule; save time Members do not over-schedule; save time

for new relationshipsfor new relationships✓ Until we are a friend, the suspicion factor is Until we are a friend, the suspicion factor is

highhigh

6.6. Varied approaches to evangelism are Varied approaches to evangelism are emphasizedemphasized

7.7. No one person takes on the whole No one person takes on the whole conversion processconversion process

✓ Can you invite? Set up classes?Can you invite? Set up classes?✓ Be a co-teacher?Be a co-teacher?✓ Be a co-learnerBe a co-learner✓ Greet & connect with those who visit?Greet & connect with those who visit?✓ Strengthen the weak? New Christians?Strengthen the weak? New Christians?✓ Care for the sick, especially unbelievers?Care for the sick, especially unbelievers?✓ Be a baby-sitter?Be a baby-sitter?

8.8. Efforts of individual members are Efforts of individual members are helped by groups efforts (1 Cor. 14:23-helped by groups efforts (1 Cor. 14:23-25)25)

✓ Worship format that reflects zeal for the Worship format that reflects zeal for the LordLord

✓ Create opportunities for inviting and Create opportunities for inviting and teachingteaching

✓ Classes with an atmosphere for learningClasses with an atmosphere for learning✓ Sunday morning “beginners” classSunday morning “beginners” class

9.9. Balanced preaching and teachingBalanced preaching and teaching

10.10.The gospel is never compromisedThe gospel is never compromised

11.11.Prayer: awareness of the Lord’s Prayer: awareness of the Lord’s presence & help in the workpresence & help in the work

12.12.An awareness that God has made you An awareness that God has made you the perfect “clay jar” to bring the the perfect “clay jar” to bring the gospel (2 Cor. 4:7-12)gospel (2 Cor. 4:7-12)