A certain pastor's Church was not growing, despite all his efforts. One Sunday morning he decided to go to Church very early. There was a cleaner in the Church who was cleaning. The pastor hid himself and observed her. After she had cleaned the auditorium, she sat on each chair.
So, the pastor confronted the lady and dealt with her.
From that time, the Church began to grow! Glory to God!
There are many instances of stagnation where what we need is the opening of our eyes to see what is going on in the realm of the spirit. This pastor's eyes were opened.
The fourth night of the conference was a time of increase and impartation. Bishop Matthew Addae-Mensah led the congregation in fervent prayers for the Spirit of might and taking our rightful position.
Bishop Emmanuel Nterful, the bishop of Lighthouse Chapel, Korle-Gonno and principal of the Anagkazo Bible School, came to deliver a stirring message on 'Why we must have large Churches.'
He began, "When I see Bishop Addae-Mensah, I feel I can do anything."
He taught that the ministry is a war and anyone called into it is in a battle. Paul told Timothy to fight the good fight of faith (1 Timothy 6:12).
He emphasized that the ministry is not a joke; it is a spiritual battle between the forces of God and the forces of darkness.
God wants to save many people from the captivity of the devil. However, the devil is also determined to send many people to Hell. This is the reason for the fight.
Every pastor must understand that you are in a wrestling match with Satan for the sheep (Ephesians 6:12; Matthew 16:18).
Bishop Nterful related a vision which he understood meant that most of the Church is afflicted by sin, sickness, powerlessness, etc. But thanks be to God, he chose to restore His Church through this awesome conference.
Quoting 2 Corinthians 2:11, he taught that we must be aware of the devices of the devil otherwise he'll take advantage of us.
He challenges pastors and church workers present that if we are going to build Churches, then they must be large.
The following are seven reason why we must have large Churches:
1. We must have large Churches because it means that many people have been delivered from captivity and are on their way to heaven.
Sinners are in the hands of Satan.
"No pastor here must settle for a small Church. Have a desire for God to use you to bring a lot of people into the Kingdom of God. This must be your aim. This must your vision," he challenged.
He explained that a large Church starts in the heart of a pastor. You must desire it in your heart.
He quoted Jesus in Matthew 5:6, teaching that if you want to be filled you must thirst and have hunger.
Don't have a passive vision. Have an active vision for the Church to grow.
There are so many parts of Ghana dominated by other religions; we need to invade those places!
Have a want for souls not money.
2. We must have large Churches because Jesus has sent us to go to the whole world to preach.
The whole world is our mission field (Mark 16:15).
The harvest is great. It must be abundant and large.
Jesus did not send us to fish in a bathtub.
He did not sent you to be in charge of one street.
We must continue to spread on every continent across the globe.
In Matthew 9:36, Jesus said the harvest is truly plenteous but the labourers are few. Then He said we should pray that God would send labourers into the harvest.
In the recent elections of our nation, thousands upon thousands were mentioned as figures that had cast their ballot; how many are saved?
Every pastor must have a large harvest.
3. God wants His house to be full. He does not want empty Churches (Luke 14:23).
Dr. Yonggi Cho, pastor of the largest Church in the world says, "No Church must have empty chairs."
Don't accept empty chairs and don't arrange just a few chairs.
Create a co edition for godly dissatisfaction.
As a pastor, you must not gave sound sleep when your Church is not growing; 39 minutes prayer cannot grow a Church.
4. You must have a large Church because in Bible days, the Churches were very large.
Your Church must be an example of a Biblical Church.
You must build a large Church.
He said, "If you are a pastor and your Church is not growing, it's your fault," quoting Bishop Oyedepo.
He recounted the phases the early Church went through viz.: they were 120 (Acts 1:14), became 3000 (Acts 2), moved on to 5000 (Acts 5:5), expanded to multitudes (Acts 5:13) and we see multiplication in Acts 6:1.
He said, "Don't comfort yourself that your Church is not growing. The will of God is that your Church will grow." (Psalm 2:8; Jeremiah 30:19).
5. You must have a large Church so that you can have a lot of Church workers.
With a large Church, you can have a not of helpers.
Pastor, you can't do the work alone.
According to Ephesians 4:11-12, when the ordinary Church members come, it is the responsibility of the five-fold ministry gifts to train them to do the work of the ministry.
He poignantly posited, "Don't joke with your new converts."
When Jesus began his ministry, he first recruited workers (Matthew 4:19). Raise up leaders.
You don't need to poach anybody from another Church. Train your own people.
Be interested in the children and young people; train them. Remember, it is the young that becomes old.
Set up new converts' school. Set up leaders' training school.
You must give yourself wholly to the work (1 Timothy 4:15).
"Many pastors are lazy; they don't pray!" He said.
Sunday is your main day to do counselling and visitation.
As well, he pointed out that many Church workers don't help the pastor.
But God wants pastors to raise leaders like Moses did in Exodus 18.
6. You must have a large Church so that you can have a large income.
He the testimony of the backing of 3000 Churches that help Bishop Dag to carry out Crusades and Leaders' conferences all over the world.
There is a relationship between between the growth of the Church and the income of the Church.
Money is a defence.
With a large income, you can build Church buildings, organize Crusades, feed the poor, build orphanages, etc.
7. You must have a large Church so that you can have a lot of prayer in the Church.
A strong anointing coursed through the auditorium as the man of God ministered to clergy present and imparted the anointing for Church Growth.
The anointing for increase, multiplication and fruitfulness was also ministered as well as healing for the sick!
Glory to God!
You don't want to miss the final session tonight at the Phenomenal Faith Cathedral at 6 pm.
You may also participate in the Service live from anywhere in the world via Facebook; go to https://m.facebook.com/GLICpfc/
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