You  and  Church  Growth

Charles Spurgeon was one of the most popular preachers of the last century. He preached to over 5,000 people each Sunday in the London Tabernacle Church. When asked how he built such a large congregation he replied, "You asked me how I got this congregation? I never got it at all! My congregation got my congregation. I had 80 when I first preached. In a short time I had 200. Everyone in the congregation was urging a neighbor to come to the service. Soon we had 400 and then 800. This is how our people got our congregation."

The secret to church growth really hasn't changed since Spurgeon's time. The best way to build up the church is for every member to be actively involved in personal evangelism. When friend invites friend, and neighbor brings neighbor, souls are going to be saved and the church will grow. Friendship evangelism, where we work through the ties of friendship and trust that already exist has always been the. most effective method of winning souls. The many studies done in the area of church growth bear this out. The Fuller Institute of Church Growth conducted a study of why people become members of local congregations and discovered that ...

• Only 2 to 3% were members because of the programs of the church.
• Only 3 to 5% listed the preacher as the reason for their membership.
• Visitation and door knocking resulted in winning only 1 to 2% of those surveyed.
• Meetings and campaigns had reached only .0001%.
• What the study revealed was that 70 to 90% of those who became church members did so through the invitation and influence of a Friend, relative, or neighbor.

Sentence Sermon:
Temper is what gets most of us into trouble- Pride is what keeps us there. (Cf. Proverbs 16:18-19)

Our hearts go out in deepest sympathy to Dan Stevens and his family in the passing of his Grandfather, Milton Phillips, this past Sunday afternoon in Lakeland.
We also send out our sympathies to the family and friends of Dennis Jones (a former member here) who passed away this past week.
May God provide his comfort and peace in this time of deepest loss and sorrow.

Personal Work Group
The Personal Work Group, is scheduled to meet tonight (Sunday) after the evening worship services in Assembly Room "B". Members of the group and those that would like to take part, should plan to attend.

orangestreetcofc.com
If you have a computer or Web-TV access to the internet, we encourage you to check the Orange Street church of Christ web site at least once a week. Our Sunday bulletin can usually be found there on Saturday (the exact time may vary). Also the lists of those who are scheduled to serve are also posted, including the weekly, monthly and yearly lists. We are adding a little more each week so check in often and let us know (e-mail) if you have suggestions or constructive criticism.
If we don't already have your e-mail address please give it to us or send it to us from the site so we can inform you of last minute events and/or changes.
Keep us in your prayers that we may use this tool to it's greatest gain for our Lord.