Can you comment on church growth?

The question is very thought provoking. There are two ways to effect church "growth" - God’s way and man’s way. Those who track such matters tell us that much of the numerical growth experienced by religions today is "growth" which appeals to selfishness and materialism.
God’s way of creating church growth. God’s word teaches us that the church (Jesus’ church, Matt. 16: 18) is essential, viewed both from the local and universal perspective (cf. Acts 2: 47; Eph, 1: 3-7). Christians are to be members of a local church. In such a relationship they assemble (Heb. 10: 25; Acts 2: 42), edify one another (Eph. 4: 12-16), sing praise to God and one another (Eph. 5: 19), have the pure word preached to them (Acts 20: 7, 27, 28), are overseen by scriptural bishops (I Tim. 3: 1-7; Heb. 13: 7), give of their means into the local treasury (I Cor. 16: 1, 2), and observe the Lord’s Supper (I Cor. 11: 23-28). God’s growth occurs in principally two ways: (1) the saints are built up by the gospel, and (2) the lost become Christians by obeying the gospel (Jas. 1: 21; I Tim. 3: 15; 2 Thes. 1: 7-9). The pure truth is the essence of such growth (I Pet. 2: 1, 2: Acts 20: 32).
Man’s way of creating church growth. Man’s way is to have just enough of the truth to be deceiving to the undiscerning (cf. Gal. 1: 6-9). Appeals are made to make people happy by dining and providing social fulfillment. Special effort is made to socially satisfy the divorced, the young, the singles, etc. Appeals are made to people’s children, in providing secular schools and day care. The goal is to please the people, not God. Larger numbers and bigger, nicer buildings with less of God and His word is the order! Much emphasis is placed on bands and modern music with fun and frolic for all.
We must decide whom we desire to please with our growth - God or ourselves.

What Is Prejudice?

Answer: Prejudice is basically pre-judgment. According to the Random House College Dictionary prejudice is: "An unfavorable opinion or feeling formed beforehand or without knowledge, thought or reason" (pg. 1046). Prejudice is not forming an unfavorable position after having considered all the pertinent facts (common use today). Every time the action or presence of prejudice is mentioned in the Bible it is condemned (cf. Prov. 18: 13; Matt. 13: 14; Acts 22: 22; 7: 57).

Biblical facts concerning prejudice. Prejudice (forming a conclusion without having the facts) often produces unjustified alarm (Ex. 1: 9, 10). Prejudice results in spiritual blindness and ignorance (2 Cor. 3: 14). Prejudice can produce religious fanaticism (Lk. 7: 36-39).

What produces prejudice? The causes of prejudice are many. Apathy or laziness to obtain the facts causes prejudice (cf. 17: 32). Fear can cause people to close their minds (Jn. 9: 18-23). Pride is a common producer of prejudice, some would rather not know than have to admit error (Acts 7: 57). Willful ignorance is also a common cause of prejudice (2 Pet. 3: 5).

Remedy for prejudice. Christ-likeness is a cure for prejudice because Christ never exhibited prejudice (cf. Phili. 2: 5). repentance will end prejudice (2 Cor 7: 10, 11). If one has a love for the truth, they will not possess prejudice (2 Thess. 2: 10-12). Paul’s exhortation to "prove all things" will eliminate prejudice (I Thess. 5: 21).

We must be open minded and willing to investigate (Acts 17: 11). However, we must use the right standard to determine right and wrong (Ibid.). Always study God’s word for the purpose of making application. We will hold some things to be true, some to be false - but our position will be based on fact not prejudice!

Successful Businessman John Beckett

...I went for years, searching and struggling. For me, the way home was neither clear nor compelling. I understand others who are confused. For the longest time, I thought it was enough to “be good,” to “do kind deeds,” to “be moral” or to serve others. I now realize these are important, but they are not transformational. They’re not the same as coming home spiritually. That only happens when we enter a personal, life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ.At this critical transition in my own life, I understood very little about the profound change that was taking place. Now, through insights gained from the Bible, from sound teaching and the “classroom of life,” I have a much better grasp of how a person enters and walks out that vital relationship. As I explain how one becomes properly related to God, I’m sure I won’t address every question. But I believe I’ve found a reliable roadmap. I know it would have helped me on my journey. I trust it will help you...

"Good Products Sell Themselves"(StandOut)

As I drove by the other day in my neighborhood, I began to have some deep thoughts on image projection. I saw a few little trading shops with little goods in them with one or no customers in them.They look unattractive because their owners made them so. A few meter drive, I saw another shop; filled with goods and customers going in and out of it, then the question” why this great difference?”
In the time of Jesus, there were many other prophets and preachers, but he stood out from the crowd, he knew his purpose, he sold a product that is effective, he understood the needs of his clients and he serviced them.
How do you see yourself in other people’s eyes? Like grasshoppers? The way you see you is what you become. Every product can become a brand if branded. Every brand (big) started as a small product over the shelf. Coca cola and Pepsi didn’t become such big brands because they wished, but were built over time
Jesus stayed until his showing forth, not that he was dormant prior to this, but I see it more like a branding or image building period.
1.speak positively about yourself or product(s)
2.deliver on time
3.know your audience
4.create awareness (advertise)
5.be competitive
6.be creative
7.don’t speak ill of other products
8.beautiful packaging( you are seen before heard)
9.Have the JJSO plan (Jerusalem, Judea, Sameria, and the Outermost part).
Remember!“The ladder to the top starts from the bottom and no one swims the ocean from the middle, except he crashed in there”.

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Fred Hammond

Fred Hammond has over the years made a great impression in my soul with his soul inspiring songs. His use of the scriptures in his songs has also drawn me to his music.

The album; Spirit Of David is one album I can't forget.

A multi-instrumentalist, producer and vocalist for the soulful black gospel group Commissioned during the 1980s and '90s, Fred Hammond also became one of the most popular praise & worship leaders in the field. Born in Detroit, Hammond began singing with his church choir at the age of twelve. He played bass and sang with the Winans during the early '80s, then joined Commissioned later in the...

Power Of The Mind

Information Acquisition (IA): to be informed is to have knowledge. The man with knowledge is a king amongst many. He speaks and all listens. Prov.2:3-6, 10:4. Information is the most important ingredient for mind development;Romans 12:2. It enhances, and beautifies the mind. "Every information is a description of a destination". "An uninformed man will be deformed". Information is a map. It’s only an uninformed man that takes his step to the north but actually supposed to go south.
IA is seeking relevant knowledge in the direction of your dream, aspiration or desire. Imagine a man who is ill, but sits all day reading books on how to grow tomatoes, instead of reading books on divine healing or seeking the doctors prescription. His healing may come probably in his grave. You don’t study medical books when actually you are preparing for an engineering exam.
Acquire information that would develop your mental capacity to live in the line of your dream. You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free from ignorance and complacency.

From the book"Power Of The Mind"by Kennedy Oshiogu

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Power Of The Mind

Set Your Priorities: He who fails to plan has planned to fail. You must set your priorities right if you must succeed in the use of your mind power. The mind is like every other part of the human body and cannot succeed trying to engage itself in more than one thing at a time. Though we can switch thoughts, but you’ve got to maximize your moment.
As it is impossible for you to go two different directions at the same time, so it is impossible to succeed with your mind power trying to engage in several activities.
A motor vehicle’ engine last longer when the driver understands the gear system. You don’t go about changing gears before the right time. Hab.2…get the vision not visions. Put your mind on a particular matter at a time for maximum result. You would agree with me that when you channel your energy towards a particular matter, you get the best of it.
Don’t be distracted. Concentrate on building that marriage, and having a peaceful home than switching gears before time...

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You Shall Prosper(Grow)

I remember when Sean (my son) was born; he was so little and tender and I got worried, but it didn’t last for long (the worry) because I didn’t dwell on it. I began to speak the word of faith into him, and nicknamed him Biggy. We watched him grow as we provided him with all he needed…

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You Shall Prosper

Have you ever wondered how God feels when we are stagnated in life? If no; then pause for a little while and think about how a father feels when his child is n’t doing well; not growing well or not having good grades at school; I bet he will do all his best possible to salvage the situation. He would speak the kindest words to help solve the problem, feed the child with the right diets to help him grow and do some other positive things.
God our father wishes us the best in life, and gets disturbed when we aren’t doing well. The bible says “He delights in the prosperity of His saints”Psalm35:27. 3John:2 “I wish above all things that you prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers. He wishes us an all round prosperity and does everything to make us better people. He speaks daily into our lives. His word carries the energy for creation and to effect changes in ugly conditions, Gen.1:1-2.

The word of God contains the power to make us grow (prosper). John 1:1-6 explains that Jesus is the word of God, and Jesus in Luke 2:40 manifested the full prosperity of God” And the child grew (physically), and waxed strong in spirit (spiritually), filled with wisdom (mentally): and the grace of God was upon him...

Sons Of Perdition

Sons of Perdition is the latest movie project from the production of Southstreams entertainment and Tri-Ace Multi Ventures.
It is set in the biblical prophecy according to 2Pet.2:1-3;but there were false prophets among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be spoken evil of.
And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingered not, and their damnation slumbered not.