CDM Archive
Discipleship Ministries of the PCA
by Charles
Before signing over the editorial duties of the Messenger to Bob Sweet, I wanted to say one last thing to the readers. I have often been asked, “What are the qualities that make good leaders?” How would you respond to that question?
I have settled on five essentials.
1. A Christian leader, like his Lord, must demonstrate a servant’s attitude. But who does the leader serve? The answer is twofold: his Lord and his followers. That seems simplistic and rather com
by Charles
Going where the world is growing. That slogan was first used in the Presbyterian Church in America by its Mission to the World Committee, but it is a statement that reflects the desires of the entire PCA at home and abroad. Mission to North America and Christian Education and Publica
by Charles
Where have all the elders gone? That’s a ques
by Charles
There are several ways to grow a church. We talk about four major ways, but there are others. The standard four are: internal church growth where members are growing in their relation to Christ and to each other; evangelistic growth which refers to conversion growth; a daughter church growing out of an existing ministry; and the establishment of churches cross-culturally.
The PCA is committed both in principle and practice to planting new churches. To do this takes much prayer, patience, time and effort; and there are a multitude of ways to go about it. We welcome Christians into the PCA, but we also are aware that the best growth comes as the Gospel is presented and people are converted and added to the church.
New church growth is a major part of the PCA’s strategy. But is it worth the energy, resources and sacrifice to plant churches? Given all the other factors in the PCA, that has to be a legitimate question to answer. But before we do, we should have some information that would help us respond intelligently.
Recently Win Arn with Church Growth, Inc., released the following statistics: Out of the 240 million Americans, 40 percent have no religious affiliation, and 31 percent are Christians in name only. Between 80 and 85 percent of the churches in America are either plateaued or are declining. In 1900 there were twenty-seven churches for every 10,000 people. In 1987 there were only twelve churches for every 10,000 people. Black Ameri
by Charles
In 1 Corinthians 15 the Apostle Paul wrote: “Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you . . . that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day, according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter …” (verses 1-5). Christ died and was raised. Why did Christ die and for whom? We have learned the answer to those questions and can recite them like catechism. But often the truth is obscured because of its familiarity.
Let’s look at this in perspective. The Christian message is a global message because Christ’s people are globally located. They are among every tongue, nation, tribe and people. Though we might find stronger pockets of God’s people in certain places from time to time, they are scattered across this planet. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son …” (John 3:16). With that statement, John was reminding us that the Gospel is universal.
Paul says that just as Jesus’ death had global ramifications so does His resurrection from the grave. Both the crucifixion and the resurrection are the highlights of Christ’s great redemptive drama enacted for our salvation. Both events remind us that Christianity is a missionary religion.
Jesus took upon Himself the sins of the world. He also came forth from the tomb to seal world
by Charles
In the lead article in this month’s issue by Bob Burns, we emphasize a subject that is highly important for the church interested in growth and ministry. That should be characteristic of every church; however, such is not always the case. I hear pastors and other church leaders talk about church growth and ministry, but some are not doing the things that are conducive to either.
The church is one, reflecting our unity of faith. The church is also a diversity, showing our dis