UNDERSTANDING CHURCH GROWTH: The Place And Power Of The Local Church

Over the last three decades, there has been a massive move across Africa to plant churches. Individual believers, ministries, and denominations have all joined in this kingdom mandate. By God’s grace, over 1,200 churches are planted monthly. This is a testimony to the hunger for God’s presence in every community.

However, while we are planting churches in large numbers, many of them do not survive or thrive. The root of this challenge lies in the fact that the nurturing and healthy growth of local assemblies is often neglected. Many leaders exert excessive pressure, and sometimes the motives behind the planting are questionable. This breaks the heart of the Lord. Jesus is not just interested in church planting—He is deeply interested in church flourishing.

A. THE PLACE OF THE LOCAL CHURCH

(Matthew 16:18; Revelation 2:1,8,12,18; 3:1,7,14; Hebrews 10:25)

The local church is God’s ordained assembly of believers gathered in a specific geographical location. It is a congregation of the called-out ones—those who have been redeemed from sin and darkness into the kingdom of God’s dear Son (Luke 4:16; Acts 18:10; Acts 16:9; Acts 10:33-35, 44-45).

Key truths about the local church:

Believers must not isolate themselves. We are called to fellowship together in unity (Matthew 18:20).
The local church is the practical training ground for genuine and responsible Christian living.
God desires that His church be strategically present in every community.
The local church is meant to be salt and light to its community (Matthew 5:13–16).
It is God’s representative to enforce the victory of Christ and extend His kingdom in that locality.
The local church is the platform for God’s power to be displayed to the surrounding people.
God places more emphasis on the local church than central or regional headquarters.

Whether the local church has 5, 50, or 5,000 members, its primary purpose is to represent Christ in its immediate environment. The church is in the world, but her assignment begins in her locality (Acts 1:8).

B. THE PASTOR OF THE LOCAL CHURCH

(Jeremiah 3:15; Revelation 2:1,8,12,18)

The pastor is God’s appointed spiritual shepherd and plays a key role in the health, growth, or decline of the local church. A church without a God-called, Spirit-filled, and committed pastor cannot experience sustained revival and growth.

A local church pastor must:

Be chosen by God and moulded by Him.
Not be a novice or spiritually immature.
Know the Lord intimately and be growing in grace.
Function as a true shepherd, visionary leader, and disciple maker.
Be committed to staying long enough (at least 7 years) to nurture the church to maturity—except the Lord directs otherwise.
Carry a burden for church growth and be ready to pay the price in sacrifice and diligence.

Church boards, elders, or committees should support, not control, the pastor. God’s design is not leadership by committee but through His anointed servant, who is helped by a godly team (Numbers 27:16–17).

C. THE GROWTH OF THE LOCAL CHURCH

(1 Corinthians 3:6)

The growth of the local church must be holistic—spiritual, numerical, physical, material, social, and financial.

For a local church to grow:

It must make visible impact in its neighborhood.
It should not just look inward but be outreach-driven.
It must raise disciples and build strong believers.
It must intentionally:
- Evangelize the lost.
- Assimilate new believers.
- Disciple and develop members.
- Release members into ministry.
- Serve and transform the community.

Growth is not optional—it is essential. The local church must become a spiritual force in its territory. If it doesn’t grow, it will decay and become irrelevant.

D. THE SUBJUGATION OF THE LOCAL CHURCH

Unfortunately, many denominational practices have ended up hindering rather than empowering local churches.

Examples include:

Appointing unqualified individuals as pastors.
Over-centralization—local churches are overly controlled by headquarters.
Canceling local programs for headquarter events (e.g., crossover services).
Constant transfer of pastors, preventing continuity.
Frequent pulpit rotations that deny members a stable shepherd.
Collecting 80–100% of local church income at the headquarters.
Denying local churches the freedom to initiate Spirit-led programs.
Airing headquarter videos every Sunday, stifling the local pulpit.

These practices weaken the local church and disconnect her from the real needs of her community.

E. STRENGTHENING THE LOCAL CHURCHES

(Isaiah 42:1-4; Acts 15:41; Acts 16:5)

Overseers and denominational leaders must be intentional in nurturing and empowering the local churches under their care. Just like a flame that needs oxygen, small churches must be fanned into full fire.

Steps to strengthen local churches:

Prioritize the spiritual health and well-being of pastors.
Review and remove harmful administrative policies.
Support and mentor pastors and care for their families.
Address pastoral challenges and offer solutions.
Provide ministry tools, materials, and finances.
Organize retraining and capacity building.
Visit the churches personally and evaluate their needs.
Keep communication lines open—let pastors access you freely.
Empower churches to grow, plant new works, and multiply.

A good overseer is not one who sits at the headquarters only but one who labors in the field, strengthening the hands of the local pastors.

F. WHAT KILLS LOCAL CHURCHES

(Revelation 3:1)

Too many local churches are becoming dry, powerless, and inactive. This should not be! Here are some factors that kill churches:

Wrong foundation and poor location.
Scandalous or controversial pastors.
Lifeless pulpit—no spiritual fire or revelation.
Internal conflicts and divisions.
Structural or community-related problems.
Polluted altars and spiritually oppressive atmospheres.
Negative community reputation.
Demonic attacks and spiritual warfare.
Witchcraft influence and manipulation.
Power struggles and controlling leaders.
Grieving the Holy Spirit.
Resistance to necessary changes.
Untrained and stagnant leadership.

These are spiritual termites eating away at the life of many congregations.

G. THE MULTIPLICATION OF THE LOCAL CHURCH

(Acts 16:5; Psalm 92:12–14)

God’s plan is not just growth but multiplication. The local church must:

Be vibrant, fruitful, and life-giving in its environment.
Serve the needs of the community and reflect Christ’s love.
Ensure at least 80% of members come from the locality.
Disciple believers into mature saints and ministers.
Run small groups or cell fellowships to reach more people.
Recognize and release the gifts and callings of members.
Do good works that create goodwill and kingdom favor.
Plant daughter churches and raise spiritual sons.
Send out trained leaders to pastor new churches.
Reach different community segments with the gospel.

The early church in Jerusalem wanted to remain in one place, but God used persecution to spread them (Acts 8:1). Likewise, today’s local church must remain strong at the base but be mission-minded to reach the world.

CONCLUSION:

The local church is God’s vehicle for transformation, revival, and kingdom advancement in every community. It must be strengthened, not stifled. We must value, invest in, and protect the health of local assemblies—because that is where God’s power and presence meet the people directly.