The Bible has a lot to say about church growth. Throughout the New Testament, we see examples of the early church growing rapidly through the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus also gave instructions on how his followers should spread the gospel and make disciples of all nations. Here is an overview of some key biblical principles regarding church growth:
Preach the Gospel
In order to grow, the church must be faithful to preach the gospel message of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. This was the mission of the apostles and early disciples. Jesus commanded his followers to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20). The book of Acts chronicles the growth of the early church as the apostles boldly proclaimed the good news of Christ’s death and resurrection.
Rely on the Holy Spirit
Authentic church growth ultimately comes from the work of the Holy Spirit. After Jesus ascended to heaven, he sent the Holy Spirit to empower believers to spread the gospel. It was the Spirit who enabled the timid apostles to start preaching openly and added 3,000 souls to the church after one sermon (Acts 2:14-41). As the believers prayed together, the Holy Spirit enabled them to speak the word of God boldly (Acts 4:31). Church leaders should seek the Spirit’s guidance, wisdom and power for ministry.
Equip the Saints for Ministry
For a church to grow, its members must use their diverse spiritual gifts. The apostle Paul explains that God has appointed some to be apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers “to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up” (Ephesians 4:11-12). Every believer has a contribution to make to the growth and health of the church. Effective church leaders will help members identify their gifts and provide training for service.
Pursue Unity and Fellowship
Church growth happens best in the context of unity and fellowship. Jesus prayed that his followers would be one so the world would believe (John 17:20-23). The early church devoted themselves to fellowship, eating together, praying together and sharing everything in common (Acts 2:42-47). Paul urges believers to make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:3). Petty divisions and conflicts stifle a church’s health and growth potential.
Meet People’s Needs
Part of the early church’s explosive growth was meeting people’s practical needs. Because the first Christians sold possessions and property and shared with anyone who had need, “there were no needy persons among them” (Acts 4:32-35). Their generosity added to their testimony and attracted outsiders to the gospel. Likewise, churches that care for their communities through benevolence and outreach open more opportunities to share Christ’s love in action.
Make Disciples
In addition to evangelism, church growth depends on disciple-making. Jesus didn’t merely command his followers to baptize new converts—he also charged them with “teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:20). Mature disciples equipped to disciple others are key to the multiplication of healthy churches. Establishing biblical foundations and practices for discipleship should be a priority for church leaders.
Persevere Through Trials
Growth brings opposition. The early Christians faced persecution from religious leaders and Roman authorities. The apostle Paul was stoned, beaten, imprisoned, shipwrecked and more for the sake of spreading the gospel. He reminded believers that “we must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22). Faithfulness in trial causes church growth. Paul could report that the Thessalonian church had become a model to other believers in Macedonia and Achaia because they persevered through persecution (1 Thessalonians 1:6-8).
Exercise Church Discipline
To maintain a strong Christian witness and fulfill its mission, the church must exercise discipline when necessary. Jesus taught that unrepentant sin among believers should be confronted and addressed (Matthew 18:15-20). Paul chastised the Corinthian church for tolerating sexual immorality in their midst and commanded them to expel the offender (1 Corinthians 5:1-13). Removing unrepentant and hypocritical members protects the church’s gospel witness and promotes sincere faith.
Appoint Qualified Leaders
The selection of godly, capable leaders is vital for church health and growth. The early church chose men “full of the Spirit and wisdom” to handle administration and distribution of resources (Acts 6:3). Paul lists qualifications for overseers and deacons like being able to teach, lead their households well, be respectable and not lovers of money (1 Timothy 3:1-13). Godly leadership helps steer a church toward maturity and productivity.
Pray Fervently
Prayer is perhaps the most essential catalyst for church growth. Jesus emphasized the necessity of prayer for ministry, telling his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field” (Matthew 9:37-38). The early church persistently joined together in prayer (Acts 1:14; 2:42). Paul requested prayer so he could proclaim the gospel clearly (Colossians 4:3-4). Believers must pray for wisdom, power, unity and open doors to spread God’s Word.
Summary Principles
In summary, biblical keys to genuine church growth include:
- Faithful gospel preaching in the power of the Spirit
- Mobilizing all members to use their gifts for ministry
- Pursuing unity, fellowship and meeting needs
- Making disciples through teaching and training
- Persevering through opposition and trials
- Exercising loving but firm church discipline when required
- Appointing godly, qualified leaders
- Persisting in fervent prayer
Rather than relying on trendy gimmicks or programs, church leaders should look to these biblical principles for guidance. The same gospel and Spirit-empowered methods that drove the early church’s expansion are still relevant today. Churches desiring healthy enduing growth must build their ministries on the unchanging foundation of God’s Word.
