A Biblical Perspective on Church Growth

and National Transformation in the Philippines

by: Rev. Conrad Tolosa

Introduction

     We read in the first six chapters of the Book of Acts how God caused the church to increase in number and in its commitment to discipleship (Acts 2:41,47; 4:4, 5:14; 6:1,7). As the gospel of Jesus Christ is preached, God’s people are gathered within particular communities. In Acts 2:42 we are told that these new Jerusalem converts and followers of Jesus “devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Christians today should follow in the footsteps of the early church, keeping in mind that the practices of that earlier period were done devotedly, out of love for the Savior, and not out of a sense of obligation.

A. The Apostles’ Teaching

     In Acts 2, Peter preached the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies of Jesus’s crucifixion, death, burial and resurrection. Peter and John were commanded by the authorities not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But they replied, "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God. For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard (Acts 4:18-20).”  

     Today, both the Old and the New Testaments are available to us to educate us about the origin of the universe and all that has life, and to teach us about the divine nature and eternal powers of God, the purpose, fall and redemption of man, and the foretelling of the coming Christ. The New Testament, we are please to note, includes the totality of the teaching of Jesus and His apostles.

     Transformation of the Filipino culture into a form that will bring peace, meaning and purpose begins with God’s people devoting themselves to the study of how the teaching of Jesus brings forth an abundant life when applied to daily living.  We need to remind ourselves that there are no shortcuts to a prosperous national life. We need to challenge the existing life and worldview, with their distorted view of effective and righteous leadership. But we need to be patient. National transformation will come slowly but surely. It will be observed taking effect in one barangay, and then one more, until regional cultures are transformed one after another. Every barangay in the entire land should have a study group that will focus on the biblical worldview and Christ-like leadership.

B. Fellowship

     As the early Jerusalem believers increased in number and as they began to experience political, social and economic pressures of life, they distinguished themselves by the peculiarity of their relationship. Those who were able attended to the needs of the less fortunate among them.

     Christianity is about transformation. True believers are first mysteriously transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit; their very nature as human beings is changed. They continue to undergo transformation as their worldview becomes more and more biblical. Eventually through them, it becomes possible for community development to take place. Every barangay in the land will benefit from Christianity once believers begin to think Christianly.

C. Breaking of Bread

     Worship was central in the life of the early believers. They lived with great reverence for the Lord. They often ate bread together and drank wine as Jesus commanded them in memory of His death, burial and resurrection. As they remembered what Jesus had done in their behalf, they grew in grace and knowledge of the power of the gospel and its impact on people’s lives. God and Jesus became more and more central in the hymns and spiritual songs they sang and in the sharing of their testimonies.

D. Prayer

     Prayer is worship. Worship is the expression of our love for God and praise of who He is and the great things He has done. It is the proclamation of God’s excellent attributes and the declaration of His worthiness to receive all glory, honor and thanksgiving. Prayer is also confession. When we acknowledge God’s worthiness as we worship, we become more and more aware of our own unworthiness and conscious of our sinfulness. As we ask for forgiveness, the Holy Spirit brings to our mind the marvelous grace and mercy of God. Prayer, of course, is also making our petitions known to God. The early believers prayed trusting that God would answer their prayers according to His good will and pleasure.

E. Application

     Christianity is a philosophy of life that provides peace, meaning and purpose. Rightly understood and embraced, it results in a distinct way of living. A committed Christian is ever mindful of the lost; thus he is interested in gospel outreach. He has a strong desire to see God’s people grow in their knowledge of the Lord’s word, will and ways. And he has a sense of community responsibility. He cares about the living condition and the goings on in his barangay. A local church will grow in quality and quantity as its members grow in their devotion to Jesus Christ.

F.  A National Transformation Plan

     Lambat Ministries, Inc. has a simple national transformation plan which calls for local church growth both in quantity and quality. Church growth includes six steps:

Step one - Enlisting a pastor to commit to this six-step plan.

Step two – Holding a Biblical Christian Worldview Seminar for the entire Christian ed team . This seminar explains how an individual’s (or a collective’s) belief system concerning the nature of God and man shapes his value system which in turn determines his political, social and economic behavior. 

Step three – Holding a Biblical Christian Leadership Seminar for the pastor and church officers that includes self-evaluation of a) qualities and marks of a good leader, and b) knowledge of such functions of leadership as organizing (forming different teams), directing and controlling. Plus conducting a church plan and budget workshop for the entire leadership team.

Step four – Holding a Biblical Christian Parenting seminar for the entrire leadership team. The seminar focuses on the basic responsibilities parents have in raising their children. 

Step five –   Holding an evangelism seminar for the entire outreach team. The seminar focuses on what the gospel means and what evangelism entails. It also includes a workshop on how to share a testimony in three minutes. 

Step Six – Holding a training seminar on community outreach for the entire community development team. This seminar includes operating Bible clubs for barangay children and teens and teaching Biblical Christian Parenting to barangay residents.