You are here: Home / Archives for Ken Blue

A VIEW TO GROWTH: ENLARGEMENT

by

Crafting ministries with a view to growth

view to growth

 

By Ken Blue

“Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes;” Isaiah 54:2.

God will keep his promises to Israel. In anticipation of the returning remnant, Israel is called upon to enlarge their facilities in order to accommodate them. Their faith will determine how they respond to that command.

The question is; are your plans, facilities, and ministries crafted with a view to growth? Do you really expect God to bless your church with a numerical increase? You need not answer; your plans reveal your faith.

Is your baptistery ready to baptize new converts, or is it like many that are decaying in dry rot? Are your nurseries staffed, clean, and ready for the infants of young families? Do you have trained teachers and workers for children when they arrive? Are your greeters prepared for guest each Sunday? If not, why not? Is it because of a lack of faith?

[pullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Your preparation shows your faith or the lack thereof.[/pullquote]

Don’t wait for families to show up before you prepare. Get ready for them now! “And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.” Luke 14:17. Jesus said, “I go to prepare a place for you.” The average church is surprised if they have visitors on Sunday. You should be surprised and disappointed when you don’t have visitors. Is your church pregnant with expectation, that visitors will come? Once again, your preparation shows your faith or the lack thereof.

The experts tell us that the average church building can only maintain about 80% of its seating capacity. So, if your building is 80% full, you must take action to grow. “…lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes;” Isaiah 54:2

Sad to say, some pastors do not want their church to grow. It is just large enough to pay them a salary, and just small enough to be a comfortable little family. If a church is doing what the Lord commanded, it ought to see new visitors and new converts each week. Pastor, the truth is we plan our church ministries according to our faith and vision. I challenge you; enlarge your existing ministries and expect growth from the Lord. Get a view to growth!

HOW TO LET YOUR CHURCH GROW

by

CHURCH GROW

 

By Ken Blue

I am aware that there are pastors who subconsciously do not want their church to grow. Fear and selfishness are the two main reasons. They fear they cannot pastor or lead a larger congregation. In addition, the existing attendance may be just enough to provide a salary, and also maintain a small family atmosphere. This article will be of little help to those in that category.

If you want to let your church grow, there are some specific things you must do.

• You must want it to grow. This must be a driving force in your heart and soul. You will get what your desire.
• You must strive to have a quality ministry in every aspect. Look around and ask yourself, what should we improve?
• Print first class quality invitations, and give people a reason to come.
• Stop trying to appeal to the saved. Make your target young couples.
• Have at least three special major events each year, and target the community. These events should be Christmas, Easter, and Independence Day. Pull out all the stops. Have something that will draw the lost to church. Make these yearly events. They will grow in time.
• To grow, you must have visitors, and they must come back. If you have unsaved visitors, you will have many conversions.
• Have new member classes about four times a year. Have all converts to attend these classes before they become members.
• You must train people to take places of service within the church, or you will not grow.

[pullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]God wants you to reach the lost at any cost. It cost Him His Son. You can do it![/pullquote]

• You must have adequate parking and seating. Save the best parking for visitors.
• If you go to two services, you will reach those who like an early service. Also, it is cheaper to start additional services than it is to build new buildings.
• Finally, visit some churches that are a little larger than your own, and find out what they are doing to bring in the lost. Learn from those who are doing it. You must stop listening to the negative naysayers, who are doing nothing. God wants you to reach the lost at any cost. It cost Him His Son. You can do it, if you change your strategy and mentality.

WHY SOME CHURCHES CANNOT GROW

by

WHY SOME CHURCHES CANNOT GROW
WHY SOME CHURCHES CANNOT GROW

By Ken Blue

Dr. Tom Malone said, “An expert is any old spurt away from home.” I am not an “expert” on any topic. However, over the years, I have observed a few things that hinder the numerical and spiritual growth of a church. I list some of them, but not in any order of importance.

Location and facilities:

Where a church is located is important. I have seen whole communities change culturally and racially in a few short years. When that happens, it will have a dramatic impact on the church. The church must make a change in its culture or sell the building to those who are part of the emerging culture.

Another factor that hurts church growth is the condition, the age and the configuration of the buildings. Some people will tolerate an old building, but they will not accept a dirty and unkempt one. Paint and water are inexpensive; so, spruce up the place. If you are in the wrong location, find one more open to the gospel. The location of your church may be your greatest liability.

Outreach and marketing:

There are two colossal errors concerning outreach. One is the misconception that door to door soul winning is the only key to outreach. Secondly, that the word “marketing” is unscriptural. Statistics prove that 80% of the people, who visit a church, do so because a friend or family member invite them. Less than 1% come as a result of door to door soul winning. However, if that’s your only method, the percentage would be 100% in your case. Churches could learn from the world and the cults what effective methods they are using to reach the masses and apply them where appropriate. The world is wiser in this matter than most churches.

[perfectpullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Statistics prove that 80% of the people, who visit a church, do so because a friend or family member invite them. Less than 1% come as a result of door to door soul winning.[/perfectpullquote]

The pastor might as well save church money and stop advertising in the newspaper and phone book. Young couples use the internet and watch television. Have the best web page possible for your church and have it designed to reach the un- churched. Place radio and television ads when finances allow. Do brainstorming and discover every method available; then use the ones you approve. Pastor Al Hughes, recently started a “Sign Ministry.” The positive results are worth looking into. Put the name and location of  your church on the sign. A Bible verse only will not attract anyone. Most growing churches have found that promoting three or four big days through the year will attract the community, if planned and promoted properly.

Atmosphere and attitude:

It never enters the mind of some pastors how important the atmosphere of a church is. Every business owner understands its importance or he goes out of business. Pay attention to the next store or restaurant you visit. Notice how they try to appeal to those who enter their doors. If you are unimpressed, you will not return.

The selection and style of music is critical here. Some of the best preachers I know kill their church with dead, somber music. Someone has correctly said, “You cannot have an Episcopalian song service, a Lutheran sermon and a Pentecostal invitation.” The atmosphere and attitude should be positive, exciting, uplifting and enjoyable. The lighting, the decor and colors are all important. Many churches have a funeral home atmosphere and then wonder why everyone looks dead.

Preaching and personality:

When it comes to reaching people, it may surprise you to learn that your personality may be more important than your preaching ability. That may explain why many of the best preachers have the smaller churches. It could be a personality quirk, a distracting habit or poor manners that hinder ones influence. Most people will talk about these, but not to the pastor.

Some preachers have the idea that if they are not screaming and yelling throughout the sermon, they are not preaching. This is a learned concept and must be corrected, unless you are in a culture where people enjoy being screamed and yelled at; if you are, then keep screaming. Remember you have different people at different services; a different purpose for each sermon and different methods at your disposal. You must understand that people are not as impressed with your preaching as you are. If you doubt this, ask them what your sermon topic was a week ago.

Laziness and playfulness:

The call to preach is not a call to slothfulness or amusement. Some preachers are lazy and ought to be fired; they would be if they behaved the same way on a secular job. The preacher must pray and study. He is to be a student of the Word of God. His calling is to studying and teaching. He must plan for church growth and ministries. Then, he must lead others to do the work of the ministry for Christ. Success rises and falls on leadership. If a church is not getting the job done, in most cases, it is a weakness on the part of the pastor. If you are weak in leadership and management, learn all you can on this subject and then do your best. If you are lazy, repent or resign.

Another flaw the pastor must guard against is the temptation to spend too much time playing. There are many good and acceptable hobbies and recreational outlets, but the pastor should avoid being identified with any as an addiction. Your first and foremost calling is to the ministry. Everything else must be subordinate to that calling. Rest, if you must, but don’t be lazy. Play if you can, but don’t get the reputation of an addiction to anything but the ministry.

THE NOVICE

by

THE NOVICE
“Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.” 1 Timothy 3:6.

The NoviceEvery man possesses some pride, but pride must not possess the man. That is the danger and likely outcome for the novice who is rushed into the ministry without proper preparation. His primary problem is not his age, although that is a factor; his greatest liability is his inability to comprehend God’s grace in relation to his own sinful nature and his lack of the experiences needed for humility and maturity. Paul’s concern is not only for the young minister, but also for the testimony of Christ.

The instruction and the reason are clear. The novice must not be put in charge of that which requires experience and maturity. Both David and Moses were chosen as young men, but neither was appointed until thoroughly trained and tried. No man is qualified to oversee the souls of others until his own soul has been subdued and humbled.

For the novice, the office itself is exhilarating; He stands before others and instructs them. He is applauded and admired by those who respect and esteem his office. The more successful he becomes, the more precarious is his standing and the more haughty his spirit. This is evidenced in posture, poise and pronouncement. No matter what topic is announced, in short time, the novice becomes the topic. Most of his preaching and teaching will be in the first person.

It is not the Devil who condemns the novice; his is the same sin that caused the fall of the Devil, and it will bring the neophyte down too. Pride goes before a fall. The novice is so inexperienced and self-confident he doesn’t know his own heart, thus, the thought that he could fall never enters his mind. If it does, he dismisses it immediately.

The lives of young men and the reputation of the ministry are far too important to be taken lightly. The warning is clear and the outcome is certain; so don’t ignore Paul’s counsel.

THE HEALING HOAX

by

By Ken Blue

healingPerhaps there is no greater insult to Biblical Christianity than the preachers who go about the country preaching a prosperity and healing theology. These fools believe if you find a verse teaching healing or success, it applies to them and to all who follow them as long as they have faith and send money. Their “name it and claim it” teaching is not only unscriptural, it is shameful and destructive.

Christians need to understand that the four Gospels and the book of Acts is a transition period from the Old Covenant, made with Israel, to the New Covenant promised to Israel. (“Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: 32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD: 33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. 34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.” Jeremiah 31:31-34).

In that dispensation, signs, miracles, wonders and healings were present to prove to Israel that Jesus was the promised Christ of the Old Testament. If Israel would have repented and received Jesus as their King, He would have returned and established His kingdom on earth through them. They did not, and the offer with all its signs, wonders and miracles was withdrawn. They, the signs and miracles, were not transferred to the church and they do not exist in this dispensation of grace! After the rapture of the church, God will once again jump start His kingdom offer to Israel, and those miracles and wonders will be in force again. That period is explained in the book of Hebrews through Revelation, which are written for the Jews in the Tribulation and the Kingdom.

[pullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]There is no greater insult to Biblical Christianity than the preachers who go about the country preaching a prosperity and healing theology.[/pullquote]

When God said to Paul that His grace was sufficient for him, He was doing more that encouraging him. God was explaining that a new method of dealing with men and women, in this dispensation of grace, was under way. This explains why the blind, the deaf, the cripple, the dead and those with terminal diseases are not healed today. You may disagree with me, but if you believe the miracles of the Kingdom offer are still present; can you give me the name and address of one believer, you personally know, who can raise the dead, heal AIDS patients, restore the terminally ill and the retarded? Do you personally know anyone who can walk on water, feed a multitude with a handful of food or turn the water to wine? Why not? Didn’t Jesus tell His disciples that they would do greater miracles than He did? (John 14:12). In fact, if it was not for the grace of God and modern medical science, most people over 40 would be dead!

We must also pity those few Baptist who are caught up in this error. They display their ignorance by carrying their little bottle of olive oil and anointing the sick. Why? Because they do not understand to whom and in which dispensation the book of James belongs. James was written to the Jews.”James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.” James 1:1. You probably are not a Jew; if you are, you don’t know which tribe you belong and how on earth you were scattered? The key to this dilemma is right divisions. Do not despair, dear Christian, or fall for the healing hoax. God’s wonderful grace is sufficient!