Whenever God blesses a church, it grows, lives are changed and miracles happen. Churches that God blesses bless people, bless families and bless communities.
1. Pray for God’s power. It’s God’s power that makes the Church different from any other organization or group. We have the Holy Spirit. He has also given the church a huge assignment-to get as many people into Heaven as possible. Like the early Church, we need God’s power to do this.
2. Use everyone’s language. People in your church speak more languages than you realize. If someone in your church is involved in IT or a baseball fan or a doctor or a salesperson, they understand a language others don’t know. If you want to be a church that God blesses, you need to realize that God has placed people in your congregation for a reason. They have a language that God wants them to use to share the Good News in the community.
3. Employ every member’s talents. The early Church used all of its people in ministry. Everyone is involved in the ministry of the church. To be the kind of church that God blesses, your church needs to be the kind of church that won’t let people just sit, but uses the talents of those in the body.
4. Be devoted to God’s Word. We should hear it, read it, meditate on it, and memorize it. But most of all, if you want your church to be one that God blesses, you need to do it-whatever the Bible says. No other message-other than the gospel-has the power to change lives.
5. Love each other deeply. The early church practiced koinonia (which we call fellowship). It means they were as committed to one another as they were to Jesus Christ. The truth is, loving churches grow. Cold churches don’t.
6. Worship with joy. God blesses a church that celebrates Him. People want to be where there is joy! I think it should be fun to go to church. God wired us to express emotion. But too many people have been taught not to express it in church. When we let go and worship joyfully though, people are drawn to our churches.
7. Be willing to sacrifice. The first church was famous for its generosity. The early church didn’t just share money. Their generosity was much more radical than that. They shared everything! I wonder how many people the 21st century church would reach if we sacrificed like the early church did.
8. Reach our communities for Christ! The first church reached people for Christ from its very first day. In fact, with 3,000 people coming to Christ, the first church was megachurch from day one! In Acts 1:8 Jesus commands us to be His witness throughout the world. Evangelism is not an option. As long as there is one person within driving range of Saddleback Church who doesn’t have a relationship with God, we’re going to keep trying to grow. I hope your church will do the same. (RICK WARREN)