EARLY CHURCH GROWTH STRATEGIES

Acts 9:31 NKJV 

31 Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied. 

The biggest human enemy of the early Church, Saul, had converted through a dramatic encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. With Saul now on the side of the Church, some of the persecution had been reduced, and the churches throughout the area were multiplying. This verse gives some of the factors involved with the growth.   

The churches had peace. This would most likely be a peace from external sources. The pressure is not as intense, and there is a sense of well-being in the churches.  

The churches were edified. This word, edified, means to be built up. This building-up would come from internal resources. With the churches not as worried about outside persecution, the focus could shift over to the ministry of the Word and prayer. With a strong spiritual focus, the result was churches being built up spiritually.   

Walking in the fear of the Lord. This factor cannot be overlooked. The churches were very conscious of the Lord and how they related to Him. This was before the advent of denominations and established organizational structures. Those can certainly have their place, but too often, the emphasis can shift to pleasing men. When churches are walking in the fear of the Lord, they are concentrating on pleasing the Lord. Their actions and plans are subject to what is pleasing to God, and that is a very strong and safe place from which to operate.   

The comfort of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit was very active in the early churches. The leaders looked to Him for direction and help. The word comfort means to exhort or urge on and to encourage for the purpose of strengthening. So, the Holy Spirit’s urgings and encouragement were causing the church to become stronger spiritually. And with the Holy Spirit’s leadership, the church was making moves and decisions that were profitable.   

With all these factors in place, it’s no surprise that the early Church was not merely growing. It was multiplying.   

 APPLICATION  

These factors can and should be present in the church of today. We desperately need peace in the Church. I am speaking generally of the Big C church of which The Ark is a part. The division that takes place over doctrine and politics has never helped us and only mirrors the division in our country. We are called to live in peace with one another in the Body of Christ.   

Being built up spiritually is still vital for healthy churches, and healthy churches are typically growing churches. Also, walking in the fear of the Lord is something that would not only benefit our churches but could spill over into our nation. And we still need the urging and the encouragement of the Holy Spirit today just as much as the early Church did then. Without His help, we are left to our own devices, and not much good happens there.   

As you pray for the Church in America and for The Ark, pray that we are able to walk in these four things. We need multiplying churches today more than ever.