Sullivan church of Christ – Sullivan, MO
Date: January 25, 2009
CONGREGATIONAL DEVELOPMENT – Part 1
Ben Justice
It is the pattern of the NT that every local congregation, as a collective functioning unit, be active in
executing the work that God has given it. Paul made it clear that God receives the glory “in the church”
(Eph. 3:21). The church, therefore, must carry out its God-given mission in seeking and saving the lost
(evangelism), and keeping the saved, saved (edification). The church is “the pillar and ground of the truth”
in this world (I Tim. 3:15). Jesus condemned the church of the Laodiceans because they were neither cold
nor hot but lukewarm (Rev. 3:15). As a result, Jesus said he would spew them out of his mouth (Rev. 3:16).
A congregation that does not carry out its God-given work ceases to have the right to exist.
The work of the church is not just going to happen. Rather, it takes the exertion of energy. This energy
must be harnessed and put into a focused plan of action and that plan executed faithfully and deliberately.
This is “congregational development.” God expects for congregations to develop and grow in the work of the
Lord. It will be the burden of this series of articles to explore this vitally important matter.
PLANNING
The work of the church must begin with planning. As Solomon said, “Where there is no vision, the people
perish: . . .” (Pro. 29:18). “Vision” is another way of saying “plan.” Where there is no plan, the people
perish. Some congregations accomplish more in a year than some do in ten years. It is a shame that many
elders and leaders know what the mission of the church is, but they don’t really have any plans put in place
to carry the mission out. Wherever there is no planning, there will be no work; wherever there is no work,
there will be no growing, and wherever there is no growing, there are no souls being saved, but lost.
There is a whole lot involved in congregational planning. Elders and leaders must realize that planning
takes time, energy, effort, and sacrifice. Planning has to do with the leader’s vision and goals. What kind of
vision and goals are leaders to have in the church? Let’s note a few important things:
1.) THE BUDGET: The main resource of the church to accomplish spiritual goals and to be able to
implement works is money. It takes money to plan for the work of the church and to put the plan into
action. A budget is the main means in carrying out the work of the church. Church leaders must work with
what they have. It is sad that many congregations go year-to-year without any reevaluation of the budget.
This is bad stewardship and shows a lack of planning and a lack of concern for the work of the church.
Leaders should update the budget yearly. The late Brother Camp stated,
When elders decide that a budget is raising money instead of developing spiritual lives, they have lost their concentration on the
principles of Christianity” (Franklin Camp, “Principles & Perils of Leadership,” Pg. 33).
Elders and leaders are ultimately responsible for every penny that comes into the church treasury.
2.) PLANNING FOR THE PRESENT: The present is reality. We have it now. Therefore, we must do
something with it. What is the congregation doing presently in the work of the Lord? Is there a systematic
and deliberate plan at work right now? Do the members know exactly and precisely what the church is
doing?
3.) PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE: Many leaders can’t get past the present. They can’t see beyond the here
and now in planning for congregational development. A vision is reaching out; a goal is looking ahead and
then putting together a clear, forthright, systematic, and deliberate plan to bring about the goal.
4.) IN PLANNING FOR THE WORK OF THE CHURCH, EVERY AGE GROUP MUST BE TAKEN INTO
CONSIDERATION: This includes the young people, the older members, and new converts. Every member in
the church is important and has a role to fill (cf. I Cor. 12). There is no such as a “no talent person” (Matt.
25:14-30). If leaders don’t address the problem of neglect in the church, then they will have to answer for
it. Neglecting to be involved in the work of the church amounts to unfaithfulness. Sadly, this type of
unfaithfulness is hardly ever addressed on a personal basis. Members who just show up on Sunday
morning and are never involved in any aspect of the work of the church are unfaithful. Unfaithfulness in the
church greatly thwarts the work of the church. This is seen with the Laodiceans, and Jesus addressed it.
Good elders and leaders will kindly and lovingly talk with those who are not involved in the work of the
church.
Now, to the other side of the coin. Many members in congregations have nothing to do because of a failure
on the part of the leadership to implement and put in place good works so that every one can be involved.
In planning for the work of the church, leaders must strive to make sure their planning has the potential to
include every member of the church (cf. Titus 2:1-6).
A special word needs to be said about new converts. New converts are new babes in Christ. Too many
times, leaders in the church overlook these. New converts are all too often ignored and are lost to the world
once again. Leaders must take the time to make sure they are growing. This can often include engaging in
further one-on-one study with them, or giving them some good study aids. Cleon Lyles, in his book “Bigger
Men For Better Churches,” stated it like this,
It is a pathetic fact that too often new converts are lost to the church, perhaps souls doomed throughout eternity, because of a lack
of attention to their personal needs in being “new babes in Christ.” When such is true, it is a serious indictment against the elders
who are responsible by neglecting to plan for the spiritual growth of new converts in their program of work.
5.) BIBLE CLASS MATERIAL: Bible classes are crucial in the spiritual development of the congregation. I
feel truly sorry for those who forsake these classes, which is sinful. What kind of Bible class material will
be used? Leaders must take the time to plan for the Bible classes to be successful. I have personally
known many congregations, wherein the elders put in place a systematic and deliberate plan for each and
every class to study through the Bible, or to engage in a particular topical study. Leaders are responsible to
plan for building up the body of Christ, and the Bible classes provide an excellent avenue for this. Sadly,
Bible classes are being neglected. Teachers need to make sure they have the necessary tools and aids to
make for a successful Bible class wherein learning is enhanced and not lessened. Students need a good
and rich learning environment, wherein the necessary tools are there for them. Leaders must plan for these
things and not pass them off on others. [MORE NEXT WEEK]