Thoughts for Life: #45 The Issue of Church Growth

C. Peter Wagner goes on to share with us today:

"The relationship between prayer and the growth or non-growth of churches is not yet known.

Much is known about the indirect relationship because Jesus said,"I will build my church," and He has been doing just that for almost 2,000 years.

A central purpose in the kingdom of God is the multiplication and growth of Christian churches, and we know that prayer is a chief instrument for releasing God's purposes into reality.

No doubt it is due in part to prayer that we are seeing such extraordinary church growth in many parts of the world these days.

Nevertheless, not much in the literature on prayer or the literature on church growth shows how the connection is actually made, and particularly what strategies we can develop to see the power of prayer help churches grow faster than they already are in a given time and place.

Some of the experiments we have conducted in Argentina were reported in my first book in this 'Prayer Warrior' series, Warfare Prayer (Regal Books).

Through them we have begun to see the strategic-level intercession and spiritual warfare can help churches grow.

I hope to go into considerably more detail on the matter in the third book, the one planned to follow this one.

When we look out on today's world we are immediately impressed that by far the most massive growth of churches is found within the Pentecostal/charismatic traditions.

Statistics provided by David Barrett indicate (in part) the following:

In 1965 there were 50 million Pentecostals/charismatics.
In 1991 there were 392 million

Although I do not pretend to be a professional historian, I think
the following statement would be correct:

In all human history there has never been a nonpolitical,
nonmilitaristic, voluntary human movement that has grown
as rapidly as the Pentecostal/charismatic movement has grown
in the last 30 years.

As I previously mentioned, the one significant variable I found in the amount time American pastors spend in prayer had to do with the Pentecostal/charismatic pastors.

When broken down by theological traditions we saw the following:

Liberal pastors average 18 minutes a day
Evangelical pastors average 17 minutes a day.
Pentecostal/charismatic pastors average 46 minutes a day.

America is one of the nations where the Pentecostal/charismatic churches are outgrowing all the others by leaps and bounds.

This, of course, does not necessarily apply to individual churches as such, but to the general overall statistic.

Could the fact that the pastors of those churches set aside more than twice the amount of time for daily prayer than do the pastors of slower growing churches have anything to do with their vigorous rate of growth?

If so, it may point to another benefit that could be received under the blessing of God as pastors begin pushing those 22 minutes toward 1 hour."

Today’s post -#45 The Issue of Church Growth , in the series taken from C. Peter Wagner’s book, PRAYER SHIELD, How to intercede for pastors, Christian leaders and others on the spiritual frontlines. (pgs. 90-92) By Regal Books

Let’s pray:

Father, we come to You today with heavy hearts. It is true that we've expected You to "grow" our churches without much prayer.

We see that we have a responsibility in this matter in our churches, to support what goes on there with our prayers.

Forgive our unwillingness to participate more freely, and may we understand better that it does depend upon our leaders' prayer time, yes, but we are expected to support them in their efforts of private prayer, too.

Empower our pastors and leaders today, Father! May they see their need to spend time alone with You for guidance and help. Move on us to pray more for them, too.

In Jesus' Name we ask this. Amen

Today’s Bible verse: Ps. 34:15 "The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry."

Today’s quote: Merlin Carothers - “During a trial by fire the most helpful and strengthening power I have found is the power of praise. When I know that God is using something for my good, I can rejoice. Why God is using a particular method with me is His business! I use all the strength I can muster to center my attention on praising him. And it works! Whatever is going on in me or around me, I know He is doing what is necessary, and I feel His peace filling my heart. I pray that you also will dwell in the peace that passes all understanding.” (Merlin has graduated into Heaven. Please pray for his family and friends during their time of grieving.)

Some thoughts today: Your day is already tainted from yesterday's unforgiveness.

- Explosions happen when we fail to forgive. Unforgiveness is a foothold of the enemy.

- Unload every night! Face tomorrow as a new day to live with hope, and without a baggage of unforgiveness.

Thursday’s post: #46 The Issue of Personal Ministry C. Peter Wagner

Saturday's post: Christmas...It's About the Cross Sandy Kirby Quandt

Sunday's post: O, Come Quickly Lord Jesus Rose Johnson

12/23 The Colorful Christ Bell author unknown

Tuesday's post: #47 Mediocre Prayer Habits? C. Peter Wagner

A popular post: Chipping and Painting Just as shipboard inspections reveal areas needing attention, as we pray, God will reveal areas in our lives in need of chipping and painting. Let God repaint you."