Analyzing Factors Inhibiting the Growth of the Church According to the Apostles and Their Relevance to the Challenges of the Church Today

Church growth is a phenomenon that is very commonly discussed by people, especially in the Christian world. Often church growth is seen from the quantity (the number of congregations growing rapidly and many) without regard to the quality of the congregation. Although the Bible does not specifically talk about church growth, the principle of church growth is understood in the words of Jesus "I will build my church and the gates of hell will not overpower it", (Matt. 16:18), the church can live and grow even though the number of membership / attendance do not change. According to Rick Warren, healthy church growth is multi-dimensional growth, namely a church that grows closer to each other through fellowship, grows more earnestly through discipleship, and grows stronger through worship (Waren, 2019). He further said that the growth of the church is the result of a healthy natural where the preaching of the Bible and the mission carried out are balanced. In the church there are factors that inhibit church growth, namely: quantitative factors, qualitative factors, organic factors, historical trauma factors, theological misunderstanding factors, religious factors. For this reason, the Church must experience changes in dealing with any situation and influence the world. The church can not only rotate in one place. The church must make a difficult change, namely by preaching the gospel of salvation to those in need, in order to be saved. The church must make new breakthroughs in an increasingly changing world.

Hubungan Kualitas Kerohanian, Struktur Pelayanan dan Ibadah yang Membangkitkan Inspirasi Terhadap Pertumbuhan Gereja di GBI House of Glory Batam

The journey of the GBI House of Glory Batam Church has entered its 17th year. Over time the number of congregations continues to grow. This paper is an analysis of church growth based on the principles of natural church growth. The church is both an organism and an organism. therefore it is something scientific and natural for the church to experience maximum healthy growth. The direction of the growth of the Church includes both quality and quality. Researchers used three of the eight characteristics of a healthy church quality as described by Christian A. Schwarz. Some of these characteristics include (1) Spiritual Thirst and Enthusiasm, (2) Appropriate Structure, (3) Worship That Generates Inspiration. The purpose of this research is to analyze the Church services at GBI House of Glory Batam in relation to the application of Biblical principles in order to produce a growing Church.

RESENSI BUKU : BECOMING A HEALTHY CHURCH, 10 CIRI PELAYANAN YANG VITAL

Buku ini adalah tentang pertumbuhan gereja yang membahas tentang menjadi gereja yang sehat dan bertumbuh. Stephen A. Macchia mengungkapkan 10 ciri pelayanan yang vital untuk menjadi gereja yang sehat, yaitu: 1. Hadirat Tuhan yang memberdayakan2. Penyembahan yang meninggikan Tuhan3. Disiplin rohani4. Belajar dan bertumbuh dalam komunitas5. Komitmen untuk hubungan yang penuh kasih6. Pengembangan kepemimpinan-hamba7. Fokus ke luar8. Administrasi dan akuntabilitas yang bijaksana9. Pembentukan jaringan dengan tubuh Kristus10. Kepengurusan dan kemurahan hati Dalam membahas karakteristik pertama tentang “hadirat Tuhan yang memberdayakan”, Macchia mengingatkan pentingnya bagi gereja yang mengalami kebutuhan untuk bergantung kepada Roh Kudus dalam kehidupan dan pelayanannya. Kebergantungan pada Roh Kudus akan menolong gereja untuk dapat menampakkan buah Roh dan menggunakan karunia Roh dalam kehidupan dan pelayanannya (halaman 15-34).

Teologi Paulus dalam Surat Titus

This paper aims to present the theology of Paul in Titus. Although this letter addressed to Titus, but the contents of this letter should be heard by the whole church and not just the leaders. At the center of the theology of pastoral letters there is a need to defend the faith against heretics who is starting to affect church. While investigating this letter, We would see all practical purposes when discussing the problems facing the existence of churches. However, the amazing thing is is that the range of theological truth that underlies such practical advice. Therefore, understanding the various theological concepts presented in this book help us appreciate the truth of which Paul speaks to uphold a healthy church.

Aspekte van ’n omkeerproses

In hierdie artikel word gefokus op aspekte wat deel uitmaak van ’n omkeerproses. Sodanige proses behoort oorweeg te word waar krimpende gemeentes in ’n doodloopstraat verkeer. Alhoewel die kompleksiteit van so ’n proses duidelik na vore kom, is ’n omkeerproses tog moontlik. Die Skrifbeginsels wat so ’n proses moontlik maak, behoort binne elke gemeentelike konteks uniek ontdek en toegepas te word. Die diepgrondige selfleerproses en die voordele wat ’n waarderende taalaanpak (‘Waarderende Ondersoek’) in die proses het, lei tot die besef dat nie net die inhoud nie, maar ook die manier waarop dit gedoen word van ’n omkeer behoort te getuig. Die talle verweefde aspekte waaraan aandag gegee word, kan rigtinggewend wees vir diegene wat erns maak met die moontlikheid om groeiende en gesonde kerkpraktyke daar te stel.This article focuses on aspects regarding a turnaround process. Such a process ought to be considered where declining congregations face a dead end. Although the complexity of a turnaround is clear, such a process is still possible. The scriptural principles regarding the possibility of such a process ought to be discovered and contextually applied by each unique congregation. A deep whole-hearted self-learning process, as well as the positives of an appreciative language approach (Appreciative Inquiry), conclude that not only the contents of the turnaround, but also the manner in which it is done, ought to speak of a turnaround. The many intertwined aspects discussed in this article can direct those who are serious about the possibility of establishing growing and healthy church practices.