CHURCH GROWTH MOVEMENT

&

PURPOSE DRIVEN CHURCH

Man adds to the church daily as should be saved through contemporary marketing methods.....

Churches are taking surveys among the unsaved and/or unchurched to determine what they do and do not like about the church, then applying the results and statistics to determine how the church should be run.

“...And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved." Acts 2:47 . . . “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another,”1 John 1:7 Man adds to the church daily as should be saved through contemporary marketing methods. '”Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD waches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat - for he grants sleep to those he loves." Ps. 127:1-2

Church needs a new purpose

Church already has a purpose since its beginning 2000 years ago.  Great Commission:   “...Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” Mark 16:15“... ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.”  Jude 1:3 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. Mark 16:15-16"...

Conform the Church to the image of the World in order to make the church more palatable and comfortable for the unsaved.

“...know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God?”....James 4:4 “And be not conformed to this world:...”Romans 12:2 T “The just shall live by faith. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the trun in unrighteousness..."

Romans 1:17-18

Love Self

“He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.” John 12:25 “Loved their lives not unto death..”Rev 12:11

Goal of Church is Happiness

Goal of Church is Holiness:  “Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.”  I Peter 1:16

Do not offend world with religious words

“And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, [even to them] which stumble at the word,” I Peter 2:8

Remove the Cross from the Church

Cling to that Ole Rugged Cross.  The Cross was in plain view for all to see: “and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced”  Zechariah 12:10

12 Step Program to Healing & Deliverance

(and you still aren’t free)

One Step Deliverance Program: “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.”  John 8:36

Scriptures are Insufficient for man to be made perfect

“All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”  II Timothy 3:16-17

Need to discover the key to unchurched Harry’s heart

Key the heart already revealed: “And GOD saw that the wickedness of man [was] great in the earth, and [that] every imagination of the thoughts of his heart [was] only evil continually.”  Genesis 6:5

Christ’s salvation is equal trade for worth of man and focus on unsaved Harry’s worth

Unequal trade: Man’s worth is zero, Christ’s salvation is of infinite value:  and all our righteousnesses [are] as filthy rags” Isaiah 64:6  Christ alone is our refuge and our worth!

Entertain the world into the Kingdom of God

Convict the world unto salvation:  “no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.”  I Corinthians 12:3

Caters to the Flesh

Crucifies the flesh:  “For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.”  Romans 8:13

Pleasers of men

Pleasers of God: "we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts." (1st Thessalonians 2:4)

The answer to low self-esteem is high self-esteem

Concept of self-esteem Non-existent.  Psa 51:17 The sacrifices of God [are] a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. 

Psalm 51:17

How to become an influential Christian (Maxwell)

“But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.”  Matthew 23:11.  We are to be imitators of Christ who made himself of no reputation.

Nature of Man: Man is a victim

Nature of Man: Man is a sinner: “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;:  Romans 3:23.  "they did not like to retain God in their knowledge" (Romans 1:28)

Focus on Self

Focus On God, then others:  “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.”  John 13:34

Christians need to be pleasing savor to the world

“For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: To the one [we are] the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life.” 

II Corinthians 2:15-16

Be loved by the world

Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you [from their company], and shall reproach [you], and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake.  Luke 6:22.  “Marvel not, my

brethren, if the world hate you.”  I John 3:13

Seek ye first the felt needs of this world and the Kindom shall be added unto you.

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”  Matthew 6:33

Different Church service for Churched Harry & Mary vs. Unchurched Harry & Mary

Same church service and message for both church and unchurched Harry & Mary at Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:3-11)...same message of repentance to every tribe, tongue and nation:  “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”  Mark 16:15

(Same message throughout Old Testament as well!)

Communion Inclusive

Communion Exclusive to Believers

Unchurched have rejected church but not necessarily God

All unsaved are in rebellion and have rejected God:

“For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.”  I Corinthian 1:18

Shine the salt of earth into a sparkling gem

As the salt of the earth we must be covered with the blood of the Lamb in order to retain savor, remove poison in the world, and preserve the world: “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.”  Matthew 5:13

Unchurched Harry will come to church via a good experience

Harry will come to only by God’s sovereign work of grace: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God:”  Ephesians 2:8

Self-Centered

Self-Sacrifice

This generation is different from all past generations

This generation is IDENTICAL to all generations

Asks what we can require of God

Asks what God requires of us

Seeks personal fulfillment

Seeks obedience to Christ

Integrates Psychology with the Bible

“O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane [and] vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:”  I Timothy 6:20.  “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, [it is] because [there is] no light in them.”  Isa 8:20.  "Beware lest anyone spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ." (Colossians 2:8) “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies.”  II Peter 2:1

Integrates Personality Theory and Tests, Meyers-Briggs Test, SHAPE, Kiersey Temperament Kiersey-Bates Temperament Sorter, based on occultist and atheisit Carl Jung & Sigmuend Freud....all based

on astrological signs of the Zodiac, with the Bible

“Let now the astrologers, the stargazers, the monthly prognosticators stand up, and save thee from these things that shall come "Behold, they shall be as stubble;..." Isaiah 47:13.  “Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?” Matthew 7:16 “For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.”  Luke 6:43-44 (chop it off at the roots) “Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so [can] no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.” James 3:12

“Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.”  I Corinthians 10:21

Unconditional Acceptance

Requires repentance....God is not tolerant of evil.  He is intolerant of evil. Sets in place Elders in Church discipline to judge and restore those in the church

You set boundaries

God sets boundaries

Seek a higher power..whatever or whomever that might be for deliverance from disease

“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”  Acts 4:12

Journaling is how you keep connected with God

Praying and meditation on God’s Word is how you keep connected with God

Invites False teachers to pulpit such as Muslim clerics and/or calling Islam a religion of peace

Shepherds protect and guard the flock from wolves and wolves in sheep’s clothing: “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.” Acts 20:28-31

Supports Evangelical and Catholics Together (ECT)

Ecumenism

“Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean [thing]; and I will receive you,”  II Corinthians 6:17.  “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.”  Romans 16:17

“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?”  II Corinthians 6:14

Stand in counsel of men who are not Christians to finance their new church buildings

“Blessed [is] the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.”  Psalm 1:1 “But if they had stood in my counsel, and had caused my people to hear my words, then they should have turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their doings.”  Jeremiah 23:22

Invokes imaginary Jesus (spirit) with help of spirit guide to search for past wounds, generational curses, and lost memories

“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but [this] one thing [I do], forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 3:13-14

Never criticize what God is “blessing”

“But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.”  Galatians 1:8 “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove [them].”   Ephesians 5:11 “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.”  I John 4:1

Principle of Pragmatism

(“If it works, it must be good!”)

Same message irrespective of response:

“And go, get thee to them of the captivity, unto the children of thy people, and speak unto them, and tell them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear.” (i.e., whether they listen or fail to listen) Ezekiel 3:11

“All truth is God’s Truth”

“But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth" (John 14:17; 16:13).  The Tree of Knowledge of Good & Evil is also “God’s truth”, but it was forbidden!

Mandatory Signed Pledges & Pyramid Schemes

(Levels similar to Masonic Religion, the Caste System in Hinduism Religion, and Mystery Babylon)

Matthew 5:33-37  “Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:  But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne:  Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool:  neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.  Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.  But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay:  for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

Respecter of Persons

"Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, In truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:"

(Acts 10:34)

Makes the Highway to Heaven as wide as possible

“Because strait [is] the gate, and narrow [is] the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”  Matthew 7:14

Endorses or teaches Alpha Course

Evidence of the presence of the Holy Spirit does not imitate Demon Possession

A growing church means God is blessing us

Blessing and Curse is completely dependent on obedience to God’s Word

Thinks men seek after God

“there is no one who seeks God” (Romans 3:11).  God seeks after men:  “So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”  Romans 10:17

Promotion comes via Courses

“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:” I Peter 5:6

“For promotion [cometh] neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God [is] the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.”  Psalm 75:6-7

Preach only “positive” messages from the pulpit

Preach publicly the full counsel of God which includes both the Love of God and the Wrath of God

Based on Principles of this world and “universal truths”

Church governed by the Word of God, based on nothing but the Person of Christ and him crucified.  “For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.”  I Corinthians 2:2

Monitors required tithing

“But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:”  Matthew 6:3

Catch people unaware

“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” Colossians 2:8 “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:”  I Peter 5:8

Lower mind’s resistance

“Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;” 

I Peter 1:13

No silence during church service

“Be silent, O all flesh, before the LORD: for he is raised up out of his holy habitation.”  Zechariah 2:13.   “The Lord is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him." Habakkuk 2:20.

Man builds the church

Jesus Christ builds his church:  “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”  Matthew 16:18

My strength is made perfect in my STRENGTHS

Example S.H.A.P.E. (Personality Profiles, Gift Profiles)

"My strength is made perfect in WEAKNESS" II Corinthians 12:9

FEAR OF THE LORD:

"I don't think fear, as a tactic, really moves people toward faith these days. So, tactically, I think there are better ways to interest the uninterested in the claims of Jesus Christ," Pastor Bill Hybels¹

“And the way of peace have they not known: [because]There is no fear of God before their eyes.”  Romans 3:17-18