Church growth mentality is the greatest hindrance to church multiplication. Here's why.

1. Jesus commands us
“Behold... lift up your eyes and
look at the fields, for they are
already white for harvest!”
John 4:35 (NKJV)
“...open your eyes and look at the
fields! They are ripe for harvest.”
John 4:35 (NIV)
Profile of the Harvest
World Population 6.5 Billion
Non-Christian 4.02 Billion
Saved / Day 112,000
Die / Day 140,000
Born / Day 365,000
More Unsaved / Day 113,000

2. The Harvest Engaged In The Book of Acts
Acts 2:41 “Those who accepted [Peter’s] message were baptized, and
about three thousand were added to their number that day.”
Acts 2:47 “And the LORD added to their number daily those who were being
saved.”
Acts 4:4 “But many who heared the message believed, and the
number of men grew to about five thousand.”
Acts 5:14 “... more and more men and women believed in the LORD and
were added to their number.”
Acts 6:1 “In those days when the number of disciples was increasing...”
Acts 6:7 “So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in
Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became
obedient to the faith.”
“...the number of disciples multiplied greatly...” Acts 6:7 ( KJV)
Acts 9:31 “[The church] was strengthened by the Holy Spirit, it grew in
numbers, living in the fear of the LORD.”
Acts 11:21 “The LORD’s hand was with them and a great number of people
believed and turned to the LORD.”

3. The Harvest Engaged Today
“Look at the nations and watch, and be utterly amazed.
For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe,
even if you were told. Habakkuk 1:5
India *
 In Madhya Pradesh State a Church Planting Movement produces 4,000 new churches
in less than seven years.
(2011 update: Before the year ended, 4,000 churches were planted, 1,000,000 plus
baptized).
 For more than a hundred years, the Bhodjpuri-speaking peoples was regarded as
the “graveyard of missions and missionaries”.
A Church Planting Movement started 16 years ago now results in more than 40,000
new churches and some 2 million new believers.
Prayer meetings are now held in 3 mosques and 45 Muslim Imams are now
baptized church planters.
China *
 In China more than 35,000 believers are baptized every day.
 In Yanyin Province, a Church Planting Movement results in 130,000 new churches
and more than 2 million baptized believers in just ten years
*David Garrison, Church Planting Movements, (International Missions Board, Southern Baptist Convention 1999)

4. The Big Drift in History
1) The Last Supper (30 A.D.)
2) Early House Church (1st – 3rd Centuries A.D.)

5. 3) Early Basilica (4th Century A.D.)
4) Roman Catholic (5th Century to Present)

6. 5) Protestant Church (16th Century to Present)
6) Modern Evangelical and Pentecostal Church (16th Century to Present)

7. Modern Church Planting Movements in Asia Today
What kind of churches? P.O.U.C.H churches.
P: Participative Bible study and worship groups.
Every member a contributor (1 Cor 14:26)
Every member reproducing
The leader is a facilitator.
O: Obedience to Scripture by members and group is the sole
measure of success.
Bible as Authority, not a leader
Bible says take the Gospel to every person
Measure of obedience: Fruitfulness.

8. U : Unpaid and multiple lay or bivocational church leaders
Pay would limit pool of potential leaders.
Pay would slow down multiplication.
No seminaries.
C : Cell groups or small independent churches of 10-15 members are usual.
Simple churches or small congregations. Simple and replicable.
Intimate setting for effective accountability.
Keeps leadership task doable.
A true spiritual family with a high sense of mutual concern.
H : Houses or storefronts are typical meeting places.
No expense frees resource for outreach.
Encourages witness to family and friends.

9. Why a church of 2,000 has less impact than 200 churches of 10
MEGACHURCH SIMPLE/ORGANIC CHURCH NETWORK
(2,000 member congregation) (200 churches w/ 10 members each=2,000)
Structure Attractional (“come”) Missional (“go”)
Grows by addition, goal is to Grows by multiplication. Churches
increase church attendance. remain small but gives birth to
churches that gives birth to birthing
churches.
Reproduction Size cannot double in 6 months Can double in 6 months
Membership role “Going to church” emphasis “Being church” emphasis
Church is who we are 24 hrs/day,
7 days/week
Every house/family is a center of
prayer, evangelism, discipleship,
healing and missions.
Leadership Clergy, Minister’s burden Participative, every-member
functioning
Finances 80+ of resources spent on producing 80+ of finances can be used for
the best Sunday services missions instead