Supernatural church growth is the outcome of supernatural pastoring. Spectacular and tremendous growth cannot be seen in the church if the pastor/leader does not embrace the principle of supernatural pastoring. It may be a relatively new term to very many, but it is there in the bible for us. We will need to embrace the principles of supernatural pastoring if we will see supernatural power for growth in our churches.
1. Supernatural Pastoring a definition – Ps. 44:1-2; Acts 11:21
It is far more serious than normal pastoring. It means effective and dynamic leadership that catalyse the church into growth. Mighty hand of God upon the leader that results in mighty blessings, miracles, signs and wonders, upliftment, promotion and prosperity. People testifying of positive and lasting change in various areas of their life as a result of coming under his leadership. Spectacular change and turn around in the life and fortunes of the church. Nearness to God that bring untold blessings to others wherever you go and ministering with ease.
2. Scriptural foundation
The scripture is our final authority on matter of life and we accept the scripture as our final authority. The issue of supernatural pastoring is clear in the scripture for all to see. Men of God in scripture have long learned and imbibed the facts that supernatural growth comes from supernatural demonstration in the life of the leader.
- Apostle Peter – Acts 5:15-16
- Prophet Elisha – 2 Kg. 4:33-34
- Prophet Samuel – I Sam. 7:12-17
- Moses –
- Apostle Paul – 1 Cor. 2:3-5; Act 19:10-12
- Prophet Elijah-1kg. 17:17-24
- Joshua-Joshua 3:7-8: 4:14
- Jesus – Luke 7:11-17
If all our ministry can be explained in terms of the natural, then we should forget growth and explosion. If supernatural demonstration and manifestation does not attend our ministry, then we had better forget supematural church growth The examples of men in the scripture shows that God must back up our ministry with supernatural manifestations and demonstrations. They are the signs of approval and upliftment by the Lord (Acts 2:22)
3. Evidences of Supernatural Pastoring
- Acceleration and multiplication of the church
- Spectacular miracles, signs and wonders
- Open heaven over the church – Mat. 3:16
- Change and turn around in the life of the people
- Conversions and transformations of multitudes
- Testimonies of God’s goodness among the people
- Mighty protection and deliverance
- Clear voice and leading of the Lord Impossibility becomes possible
- Fruitfulness and open doors
- Prophetic utterances and confirmation Isa. 44:26
4. Consequences of Natural Pastoring – Isa.42:19-20
- Timid and slow pace of the church
- Ministry is hard and baffling
- Find the going very tough
- Tired and overwhelmed with problem
- Calamity and recurrent bad episodes
- The church is stagnant and stationery
- Complaining and murmuring as a result of suffering
- The people are moving from bad to worse
- Testimonies are few and far between
- People not proud of pastor and church
- Constant backdoor losses and retrogression
- Enduring and not enjoying
5. The Need For Supernatural Pastoring
The need for this type of effective and dynamic pastoring is very evident with us today. Below are some of them.
- It is God’s will – Ps. 104:4
- People desire to follow a strong leader
- The devil is doing too much
- The church has floundered enough
- Growth is only possible through it
- Restoration of respect and honour to the ministry and ministers.
- Antidote to further slide and decline.
6. Enemies of Supernatural Leading
- Unclear, blurred vision. Ps. 104:4
- Loosing focus and direction
- Self-indulgence
- Content with average
- Inconsistent living
- Glorification of ignorance
- Coldness and indifference
- Prayerlessness and discouragement
- Failure to follow hard after God
- Pride and cares of life
Recommended Reading
How To Make Church Growth Work In Your Community
Learning to Live a Life That Pleases God
PRINCIPLES OF SUPERNATURAL SPEED:Open Heaven – New!
7. Principles Of Supernatural Leading
These principles cannot be wished away if we are to see the supernatural in our leadership. If you are not content with the lifeless worship, powerless prayers and natural leadership you have experienced thus far in the ministry. It is time to embrace and imbibe this principle for supernatural demonstration in your life, church and leadership
1. Deep Prayer Relationship 1 Chr. 16: 11. You must develop your prayer life to the level of having loving and deep relationship with the Lord. Your prayer time must be a time of deep communion with the Lord. It must be a dialogue not monologue. Relationship has different levels servant, son, father, daddy, my daddy, friend and favourite.
2. Holy Spirit as Senior Partner -1 Cor. 13:14; Jude 20. Pre-eminent position must be given to Him. Welcome Him, adore Him, fellowship with Him and allow His leading. Desire and embrace His gifts in your life. Appreciate Him and talk with Him. Let Him be so real to you and the supernatural power will flow.
3. Freedom From Curses. You must be sure there is no curse in your life. Either generational, transferred or acquired, there must be no strong hold of the enemy in your life. No room for Satan to launch his smear campaign against you. Curse in your life will curse your ministry and church.
4. Fasted life Isa. 58-6, 10-12. You will have to fast much if you hope to see the supernatural in your ministry. In actual fact, you will have to live a fasted life. Everyone that has moved his generation for God was a faster. Fasting is telling God you are ready to sacrifice anything for the expansion of His kingdom.
5. Shepherd Your People in The Night – Luke 2:8. You must form the habit of praying in the night or early in the morning. Rising early is one way to shepherd your people. By praying in the night the Lord will begin to reveal you to your people, thereby magnifying your ministry for growth.
6. Self-denial and self-sacrifice – Luke 21:34-36. There are things that are not outright sin but which hinders the power of God in our lives. Don’t indulge your appetites in food, enjoyment and sex Maintain self-discipline.
7. Keep the Anointing Fresh – Eccl. 9:8; Eze. 47:1-4. By remaining an open and clear channel, unobstructed by the pollutions of life the anointing will keep on flowing. Don’t sell your anointing for anything. Maintain the freshness of the anointing by constant watchfulness, renewal, prayer and seeking of God’s face.
8. Maintain Integrity and Holiness. Your motive must be constantly checked. Don’t allow pride and show off. Boasting must be rejected. Keep a pure heart. Don’t allow uncleanness, hatred, unforgiving spirit to cluster out God’s grace in your heart. Remain faithful if you lose your integrity you lose your ministry.
9. Personal Development 1 Tim.4:13. Don’t ever believe you have arrived. Keep on learning, studying, reading and developing. Attend seminars and conferences. Read and re-study the Bible over and over again. Take courses in personal development. Remember if your stop learning, you stop leading.
10. Season of Waiting Upon the Lord. Create time to seek God’s face for greater degree of power and fulfilment of special promises. It may be one day, 3 days, one week or as long as you are led.
11. Move With Men Of Great Purpose. Don’t only move with your ranks, look up and submit to those whose anointing, ministry are greater than yours. Tap from their anointing, wisdom and depth of knowledge. Moving with successful people will in turn affect you for success.
12. Engage the Intercessors. Your prayers alone can never be enough. Pray, ask and get people who will be ready to back you in prayers. Charles G. Finney had father Nash; Wagner had 19 people; Yonggi Ch0 has 2,000 people, Billy Graham had Pearl Goode and John Maxwell had 100 people doing intercession for his ministry. No wonder the supernatural was present in their ministries and ministrations.