The Edified Church: Christ’s Goal, Our Hope
Dr. Robert Coleman says,
“One must ask, why are so many professed Christians today stunted in their growth and ineffectual in their witness? . . . Indeed, it would appear that the teachings of Christ regarding self-denial and dedication have been replaced by a sort of respectable ‘do-as-you-please’ philosophy of expediency.” Pg. 59. Coleman, Robert E. 1963, 1964, 1993. The master plan of evangelism. Grand Rapids, MI: Fleming H. Revell.
Is Coleman on to something here? Are many professed Christians stunted in their growth and ineffectual in their witness? Here is a news snippet regarding the spiritual health of the Southern Baptists, a great denomination:
“An important indicator for the health of the denomination is new baptisms, which fell in 2008 for the fourth straight year to 342,198, a 1 percent drop and the lowest level since 1987, according to Lifeway Christian Resources, the publishing arm of the Nashville-based Southern Baptist Convention. Total membership of about 16.2 million was flat over the same period, falling by 38,482 or 0.2 percent.” Source: www.thestate.com; Saturday, June 20, 2009
Points to consider:
1. A lot of emphasis is placed upon presenting an evangelistic message during services at many evangelical churches across America. My question is really two-fold: One, with this much of an emphasis, how many souls are coming to Christ during the service (in a month, over the past year, over the past five years)? And two, how empowered (or edified) are the members of the Body of Christ at the local church level when it comes to sharing their faith and bringing others to Christ?
2. My seminary professor, Dr. Harold Burchett, always said that an edified church will become a soul-winning church. It is my observation that we (the leaders of the church) need to do a better job of edifying our flock. And how is a believer edified? He or she is edified when he or she experiences spiritual growth. This is best accomplished when it is modeled by a mentor or disciplemaker.
3. When spiritual growth is occurring and becomes a reality in the lives of believers there is (a) a far greater depth of walking in grace, (b) a greater depth of awe and wonder of the Lord by participating in meaningful, Christ-centered, worship, (c) a fresh commitment for deeper Bible study, reflection and personal application, (d) an intentional decision to be devoted in prayer by seeking to know Christ in an intimate way, (e) a desire to bond with others in a community of faith, (f) a willingness to serve God and our fellow man by using our spiritual gifts and (g) a strategic plan (and availability) to share our faith with the lost.
4. Conversely, when there is little to no spiritual growth occurring in a body of believers, there are several noticeable outcomes: (a) a lack of enthusiasm—for God, for personal spiritual growth, for the body, for the lost; (b) a fracturing of community where the desire for close fellowship with each other wanes; (c) a dulling of the willingness to serve; (d) a lack of desire for personal and corporate prayer; (e) a mistaken religious exercise of what is presented as “worship” becomes man-centered (all about me), not God-centered (all about Him); (f) and while there may very well be new people from other churches who join the body, they must be considered as “transfer” growth (those who are shopping around)—not “regenerated” growth (those who have come to saving faith in Christ).
In light of this discussion, the Bible gives us clear plans on what is expected from His disciples:
1. The saints of the Lord are to be equipped and built up or edified—by church leaders as well as the entire body, contributing to the spiritual growth of each member.
11 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; Ephesians 4:11-12 (NASB95)
15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love. Ephesians 4:15-16 (NASB95)
2. We are all charged to go and make disciples and teach them what it means to live for Jesus.
19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Matthew 28:19-20 (NASB95)
3. We are to make an eternal investment in people.
28 We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ. 29 For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me. Colossians 1:28-29 (NASB95)
Yours for an edified church,
Denny
