Gerry Charlotte Phelps: FGC INTRO: FRUITFUL CHURCH GROWTH

THIS IS MY NEW BOOK, "FRUITFUL CHURCH GROWTH."

It is still in draft form. Later chapters will follow online as I finish them. (Of course all copyright laws apply.)

INTRODUCTION:

What does everyone in the world want? A better world to live in. We do not agree on what that is. Yet the power of that longing has brought about ideological responses such as Nazism and Communism, which have slaughtered hundreds of millions. Still, though gains turn into losses and utopias into monstrosities, we go on struggling to attain a better world.

History shows that we have indeed come closer to it. Learning how that has come about, where, when and especially why, is of the utmost importance. Given the growing possibilities of mass destruction, it is also urgent.

We can already say, however, that some things work a lot better, and others worse. We can even say confidently what has been more productive of the common good than any other factor in history has been Christianity. History and Sociology scholars have now made that case convincingly.*

In my "Good Earth" series of books, I attempt to expand on that case and sharpen the focus.**

The recently-understood historical world-benefits of Christianity raises a different question. How can more Christianity be brought about? Of such quality and on a large-enough scale that nations and the world are benefited?

This book attempts to move that process forward. It offers methods that are practical and field-tested, small scale or large.

For Christians, however, there is a prior question. Is such a task compatible with the true work of the church? I would argue it is. Christianity claims to bring, not only a better after-life, but a better life on this earth. Not simply "health and wealth", but much more. This is a normal product of good evangelization, discipling, pastoring and missionary work. History shows that is precisely what improves communities, countries and the world. It is, so to speak, Christianity's by-product.

More attention to that by-product should not turn Christianity from its basic task. Rather, it gives Christians a compassionate motivation for expanding their faith. Doing so will benefit not only themselves, but the world, in ways that are only beginning to be acknowledged.

That gives even more reason to expand Christianity. This "salt and light" function of Christianity is not merely a by-product. It is a mandated task of the church. As Jesus said, when people "see our good works," they glorify God.

Pursuing that task elevates societies and countries. It also helps create an environment more conducive to, and permissive of, the growth of the church.

What is the starting point? It is always local churches. Though evangelists precede churches, as soon as they have a few converts, they gather them into a new church. Through that church, they work to "disciple" them into better, stronger Christians. Then that church grows and prospers. New evangelists go out, new churches are planted, and Christianity spreads.

There are already millions of local churches around the world, and hundreds of thousands in the U.S. How can they succeed better? How can they grow, not merely in numbers, but in faith, strength and commitment? Enough to plant churches and send evangelists and missionaries out to start others? And - to speak bluntly - how can they prosper enough to support all that?

This book will show how. It will present simple, field-tested ways to build up churches in numbers, rapidly and steadily. To disciple churches into becoming stronger and more committed. To bring about growing financial surpluses, even without asking members to give. And to bring churches into increasing, results-producing service to others.

Because this method does not aim first at increasing membership and attendance, but rather at evangelistic and spiritual fruit, it is called "Fruitful Church Growth."

What follows is how Fruitful Church Growth was developed and tested, case histories, and detailed descriptions of ways to bring it about.

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*See, for instance, "The Wealth and Poverty of Nations: Why Some Are So Rich and Some So Poor," by Harvard Historian David S. Landes: "The Victory of Reason: How Christianity Led to Freedom, Capitalism and Western Success," by U. of Washington and Baylor Sociologist Rodney Stark: and "Under the Influence; How Christianity Transformed Civilization," by Illinois College Sociologist Alvin J. Schmidt, among others.

** "Up and Out: A Guide to True Compassion for the Poor", available online. And "Christianity and the Prosperity, Freedom and Safety of Nations;" "Corruption and the Poverty, Oppression and Dangers of Nations;" "Unaccountables and Where They Nest:" "Prosperity and Its Seeds of Self-Destruction:" and "Fixing the Dike," all currently in progress.