The Evangelist Principle principle is the principle of creating growth or fruitfulness. As we look at the church today, there seems to be record growth. Larry Stockstill states that most of this growth is perceived and is what is known as transfer growth; believers going from church to church. This dysfunction is what he calls unfruitfulness and relates it to the office of the evangelist.
Unfruitfulness is not a desired product, or result; it is the sum of a faulty equation. In other words, no matter our desire and effort we put forth to be fruitful or to create growth, the desired result will only be perceived if we do not have the right components in the equation. We will be discussing what the right equation is to creating growth in not only our churches, but also our homes.
The Growth Function
As we begin to understand this principle of creating growth, I want to be clear that we will be talking about creating true and lasting growth (fruit) in the lives of real people. Creating true growth is born from evangelism—which springs from a heart of discipleship—lasts not for a season, but for a lifetime.
“I chose you and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain.” John 15:16
Understanding what growth function is whether it is in the church or in our homes, begins with the very first words that God ever said to man in Genesis 1:28, “Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply…”
What is growth function? Growth function is simply multiplication. When we consider growth as an equation, the function within that equation is multiplication. The faulty perception currently of the church in America is that we are growing and that the growth being experienced is fruitful; lasting. The problem is this growth that occurs due to addition will not last. The result of addition is seasonal.
This false perception has caused us to abandon this principle of creating growth—which comes through multiplication—not only in our churches, but in our homes. Think about it, the very first edict spoken to man by God was for us to “be fruitful and multiply…”
Before we go any further, let’s define a few words first.
- Fruitful – producing good results; bearing fruit abundantly, producing an abundant growth,
- Grow(th) – to increase gradually in size, amount, etc; become greater or larger; expand; to increase in influence or effect
- Multiply – to become greater in number; to become numerous; to increase in extent and influence; to spread
The Growth Factor
What is the growth factor? There are many things that determine aspects of growth, but in relationship to the principle and creating true and lasting fruit, the growth factor is you and your conviction towards discipleship.
“Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb that yields seed, and the fruit tree that yields fruit, whose seed is in itself according to its kind, whose seed is in itself, on the earth”; and it was so.” Genesis 1:11
Evangelism is not what we do, it is who we are. If you are a Christian, you have been called to evangelism. Evangelism is you sharing your faith publicly and privately in different forms and it starts with discipleship. This is true whether you are talking about the church or your home.
The Growth Product
God has called every man, woman, and child to be a disciple—to be a reproducing member, a multiplier in the body of Christ—reproducing disciples. Here are some aspects of growth that will help you:
- Growth has a pattern. Genesis 1:11, John 15:16, Matthew 7:15-20
- Growth occurs when there is an environment conducive to it.
- Growth is continual. Ephesians 4:14-15, 2 Corinthians 4:17-18
- Growth is progressive. Hebrews 6:1, Philippians 3:12-13
- Growth occurs in stages. Hebrews 6:1, 1 Peter 2:1-2
Growth must begin in you first before you can teach others to grow. How do I create growth first in my life? Here is some ways that you can begin to create growth in your own life:
- The Word of God – Read, Study, Meditate and Memorize
- Prayer – Communication
- Fellowship – Encouragement, Uplifting and Building up
- Purity – Consecration and Purification
- Holy Spirit – Communion
- Praise and Worship – Reflection
The Growth Equation
We must return to this principle of creating growth. The first place that we return to it is in our homes.
“Now this is the commandment, and these are the statutes and judgments which the LORD your God has commanded to teach you, that you may observe them in the land which you are crossing over to possess, that you may fear the LORD your God, to keep all His statutes and His commandments which I command you, you and your son and your grandson, all the days of your life, and that your days may be prolonged. Therefore hear, O Israel, and be careful to observe it, that it may be well with you, and that you may multiply greatly as the LORD God of your fathers has promised you—‘a land flowing with milk and honey. “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one! You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. Deuteronomy 6:1-9
The second place that we must return to this principle is in our churches.
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20
