Lausanne World Pulse – Themed Articles – The Bible and Church Planting/Church Growth

By Ronald Vander Griend
January 2007

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The Bible and church growth are intricately connected.

The Bible changes lives. It cuts to the heart and creates new communities. In the pages of the Bible people meet God.

Many theological claims and scripture references could be advanced to describe the relationship between the Bible and church growth; however, from the practical perspective of a church worker or missionary, two points of impact are important.

  1. The micro level. At the level of an emerging congregation, the Bible is essential for follow-up. Bible study is at the center of the relationship-building, disciple-making fellowship that cements one’s commitment to the group called church.
  2. The macro level. A passion for the Bible precipitates and fuels movements of church planting and missionary sending.

To plant or grow a congregation, two basic things must repeatedly occur: people must come to know Jesus and they must become members of his body. The first step can happen in an evangelistic instant. It is the miracle of faith born during a gospel presentation. What follows is most effectively accomplished through an intentional program of Bible study. House churches, cell groups and small groups are used to incorporate new believers. At the center of each one is a time of Bible study. The obvious benefit of these groups is that the members gain knowledge of what the Bible says about faith and life (2 Peter 1:3); however, a number of other dynamics contribute to church planting and growth. Below are seven.

  1. The small group is a venue for seekers. It offers a low-threat environment into which a believer may invite friends or family members.
  2. The regularity of group meetings puts people in relationships.
  3. Scripture is the counselor and authority on “one-another” fellowship.
  4. The study group empowers ordinary believers to search and to share.
  5. The group is an incubator for new leaders.
  6. As an engine of growth, Bible study groups are infinitely reproducible by ordinary believers even in a context of opposition and persecution.
  7. Even in societies with low levels of literacy, public reading, storytelling or scripture recordings are at the center of gatherings that produce growth.

    Ronald Vander Griend is the Asia director for the Bible League.