The Twelve Laws of Building a Healthy Growing Ministry

The Twelve Laws ofBuilding a Healthy Growing Ministry

The Twelve Laws ofBuilding a Healthy Growing Ministry

The Law of ExpectationThe Law of Expectation

The Law of ExpectationThe Law of Expectation• Growing churches believe growth is normal,

predictable, supernatural, and imperative for them as a congregation. The “status quo” is not an option.

• Text - Mark 4:21-34

• Growing churches believe growth is normal, predictable, supernatural, and imperative for them as a congregation. The “status quo” is not an option.

• Text - Mark 4:21-34

I. Objective of this SessionI. Objective of this Session

I. Objective of this SessionI. Objective of this Session

To help pastors see that they are the key to church growth; and that there is an attitude and worldview of expectation that must be taught by them and caught by their church for it to grow.

To help pastors see that they are the key to church growth; and that there is an attitude and worldview of expectation that must be taught by them and caught by their church for it to grow.

II. IntroductionII. Introduction


a. List the top two or three BARRIERS to growth in your church.

b. The number one key to all church growth is the ROLE of the pastor.

c. There are many things pastors do not have control of but pastors do have 100% control of their ATTITUDES, themselves and what they expect God to do in the church.Every church has barriers.

a. List the top two or three BARRIERS to growth in your church.

b. The number one key to all church growth is the ROLE of the pastor.

c. There are many things pastors do not have control of but pastors do have 100% control of their ATTITUDES, themselves and what they expect God to do in the church.Every church has barriers.


d. Characteristics of pastors of growing churches:• They have a commitment to GROW • They have a visionary faith and PRAYER

LIFE • They provide effective pastoral

LEADERSHIP

d. Characteristics of pastors of growing churches:• They have a commitment to GROW • They have a visionary faith and PRAYER

LIFE • They provide effective pastoral

LEADERSHIP

III. Major Teaching PointsIII. Major Teaching Points

A Commitment to GrowA Commitment to Grow


a. Growth is NORMATIVE - Acts 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 13; Mark 4:26-34


26He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. 27Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. 28All by itself the soil produces grain - first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. 29As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.”

26He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. 27Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. 28All by itself the soil produces grain - first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. 29As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.”

Mark 4:26-34 (NIV)Mark 4:26-34 (NIV)

30Again he said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? 31It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you plant in the ground. 32Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in its shade.”

30Again he said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? 31It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you plant in the ground. 32Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in its shade.”

Mark 4:26-34 (NIV)Mark 4:26-34 (NIV)

3232Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in its shade.”

33With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand. 34He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything.

3232Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in its shade.”

33With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand. 34He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything.

Mark 4:26-34 (NIV)Mark 4:26-34 (NIV)



b. Growth is IMPERATIVE - Matthew 28; Luke 15

c. Growth is SUPERNATURAL – I Corinthians 3


b. Growth is IMPERATIVE - Matthew 28; Luke 15

c. Growth is SUPERNATURAL – I Corinthians 3


d. Growth barriers are PREDICTABLE1. Spiritual 2. Sociological3. Structure4. Emotional/perceptual

d. Growth barriers are PREDICTABLE1. Spiritual 2. Sociological3. Structure4. Emotional/perceptual


e. Growth is costly:1. Integrity issues – tests of character2. Cultural issues – “we’ve always done it

that way”3. Traditional vs. biblical commands4. People’s expectation vs. biblical model5. Politics – unqualified leaders

e. Growth is costly:1. Integrity issues – tests of character2. Cultural issues – “we’ve always done it

that way”3. Traditional vs. biblical commands4. People’s expectation vs. biblical model5. Politics – unqualified leaders

IV. ResearchIV. Research

IV.ResearchIV.Research

Churches that have a clearly stated vision and make it the basis for their planning and evaluation are churches that are much more likely to grow than those who do not.

Churches that have a clearly stated vision and make it the basis for their planning and evaluation are churches that are much more likely to grow than those who do not.

V. Practical Implementation

V. Practical Implementation

A Visionary Faith and Prayer LifeA Visionary Faith and Prayer Life

A Visionary Faith and Prayer Life


“Vision is understanding what God wants to do in and through us in light of His infiniteness and our finiteness.”

– Jim Dethmer

“Vision is understanding what God wants to do in and through us in light of His infiniteness and our finiteness.”

– Jim Dethmer



a. Why is vision important?1. It’s the north star of the church2. Basis and criteria for DECISIONS3. Provides means to MEASURE progress

and evaluation4. INSPIRES greatness5. Attracts pillar people6. Key to UNITY – keeps focus off problems

and “pet” issues

a. Why is vision important?1. It’s the north star of the church2. Basis and criteria for DECISIONS3. Provides means to MEASURE progress

and evaluation4. INSPIRES greatness5. Attracts pillar people6. Key to UNITY – keeps focus off problems

and “pet” issues



b. How to develop vision in the church to set expectations:1. Get to know GOD2. Get to know YOURSELF3. Get to know other VISIONARY

LEADERS4. Get to know YOUR PEOPLE

b. How to develop vision in the church to set expectations:1. Get to know GOD2. Get to know YOURSELF3. Get to know other VISIONARY

LEADERS4. Get to know YOUR PEOPLE



c. How to articulate the vision in the church: 1. State it big and simple and often2. State it compellingly3. Tell stories4. Through printed material5. Through preaching

c. How to articulate the vision in the church: 1. State it big and simple and often2. State it compellingly3. Tell stories4. Through printed material5. Through preaching

VI. Key QuestionsVI. Key Questions

VI. Key QuestionsVI. Key Questions

1. How are you doing with regards to your attitude, expectations, faith and walk with God?

1. How are you doing with regards to your attitude, expectations, faith and walk with God?

VII. Helpful Resources/ToolsVII. Helpful

Resources/Tools

VII. Helpful Resources/ToolsVII. Helpful Resources/Tools• The High Impact Church, chapter 9.• The High Impact Church, chapter 9.

VIII. Questions and Answers

VIII. Questions and Answers

Documents

The Twelve Laws of Building a Healthy Growing Ministry