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Tom Mostert

1. Has Functional Structures

• I often hear people say, “all we need is personal revival so the Spirit can use us in powerful witness.” In fact a close friend of mine used to debate this issue by the hour when he was my intern. If we just revive the church, soul winning will happen automatically. I had another concept. Later, we pastored just a few miles of each other. For four years he worked his concept, I worked mine. In the end his church was about the same size, mine had filled both services. And he was the better speaker. Why, our church followed the principles of inspiration and developed a full program. He just worked away on revival.
  
   
• There is a most important role for the Holy Spirit, as we shall see in a moment. But not in place of organization. Listen to these startling words:

"Everything connected with heaven is in perfect order; subjection and thorough discipline mark the movements of the angelic host. Success can only attend order and harmonious action. God requires order and system in His work now no less than in the days of Israel. All who are working for Him are to labor intelligently, not in a careless, haphazard manner." (Evangelism, p. 93)

"God works according to great principles which He has presented to the human family, and it is our part to mature wise plans, and to set in operation the means whereby God shall bring about certain results." (Evangelism, p. 653)

"Angels work harmoniously. Perfect order characterizes all their movements. The more closely we imitate the harmony and order of the angelic host, the more successful will be the efforts of these heavenly agents in our behalf. If we see no necessity for harmonious action, and are disorderly, undisciplined, and disorganized in our course of action, angels…cannot work for us successfully. They turn away in grief, for they are not authorized to bless confusion, distraction, and disorganization." (Testimonies Vol. 1, p. 649)

"God designed that organized effort should cooperate with the Holy Spirit, remembering always 'that it is His power which does the work.' " (Desire of Ages, p. 362)

The one thing I required of all churches, as a Conference president, was a detailed monthly plan from every church. It had to be voted by the church board. It had to have balance in the emphasis. But every church had to have a plan. Don’t expect the blessing of God if this is missing. He simply will not bless confusion, distraction, and disorganization.
 

2. Has Gift Oriented Ministry

• It is only logical that an organized church with a plan will have to put people to work.
  
   
• And it makes sense to use them in the areas of their strength.
  
   
• Two groups that get regularly overlooked in this regard are the shut-ins and youth. One group is seen as too old, the other as too young. I found as a pastor there were a multitude of things my retired and shut-in members could do. If I needed some material delivered so for their activity, the youth had the cars and energy to supply it. A retired person always made the calls to organize my visitation program. They had the time to spend on the phone. I had a master map with all the members at their house so they could organize me.   

“The perfection of the church depends not on each member being fashioned exactly alike. God calls for each one to take his proper place, to stand in his lot to do his appointed work according to the ability which has been given him.” (Ellen White, Letter 19, 1901.  (6BC, p.1090)

“The monotony of our service for God needs to be broken up. Every church member should be engaged in some line of service for the Master. Some cannot do so much as others, but everyone should do his utmost to roll back the tide of disease and distress that is sweeping over our world. Many would be willing to work if they were taught how to begin. They need to be instructed and encouraged.” (A Call to Medial Evangelism and Health Education, p.17, 18)

“Every church should be a training school for Christian workers. Its members should be taught how to give Bible readings, how to conduct and teach Sabbath school classes, how best to help the poor and to care for the sick, how to work for the unconverted. - - -There should not only be teaching, but actual work under experienced instructors. Let the teachers lead the way in working among the people and others, uniting with them, will learn from their example. One example is worth more than many precepts.” (Ministry of Healing, pp. 148, 149)

“The elders and those who have leading places in the church should give more thought to their plans for conducting the work. They should arrange matters so that every member of the church shall have a part to act, that none may lead an aimless life, but that all may accomplish what they can according to their several ability . . . . It is very essential that such an education should be given to the members of the church that they will become unselfish, devoted, efficient workers for God; and it is only through such a course that the church can be prevented from becoming fruitless and dead . . . . Let every member of the church become an active worker,--a living stone, emitting light in God's temple.” (Christian Service, p.62)

3. Has Passionate Spirituality

• It is not the time spent with God that matters most, but the joy, enthusiasm, and depth of the relationship.
  
   
• Is our relationship with Him intimate, intense, and personal?
  
   
• Can it really be said of me that I love God according to Marks description? --- “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' This is the first commandment.” Mark 12:30 (NKJ)

“When we have an assurance, which is bright and clear, of our own salvation, we shall exhibit cheerfulness and joyfulness, which becomes every follower of Jesus Christ. The softening, subduing influence of the love of God brought into practical lives will make impressions upon minds that will be a savor of life unto life. But a harsh denunciatory spirit, if manifested, will turn many souls away from the truth into the ranks of the enemy. Solemn thought! To deal patiently with the tempted requires us to battle with self.”  Evangelism, p.630, 631

“Let ministers teach church-members that in order to grow in spirituality, they must carry the burden that the Lord has laid upon them,--the burden of leading souls into the truth. Those who are not fulfilling their responsibility should be visited, prayed with, labored for. Do not lead the people to depend upon you as ministers; teach them rather that they are to use their talents in giving the truth to those around them. In thus working they will have the co-operation of heavenly angels, and will obtain an experience that will increase their faith, and give them a strong hold on God.” (Gospel Workers, p.200)

“The Holy Spirit will come to all who are begging for the bread of life to give to their neighbors.”  (Testimonies, vol. 6, p.90)

4. Has Holistic Small Groups

• In the Natural Church Growth computer model that weighed all factors for relative importance, out of 170 items on the list, the multiplication of small groups was the most important of all.
  
   
• Notice, these are not just fellowship groups of members. These are to be disciple-making communities.

“The formation of small companies as a basis of Christian effort has been presented to me by One who cannot err.” (Testimonies, vol. 7, pp. 21, 22) 

 “Let there be in every church, well-organized companies of workers to labor in the vicinity of that church.” (Review and Herald, Sept. 29, 1891) 

“If there is a large number in the church, let the members be formed into small companies, to work not only for the church members, but for unbelievers. If in one place there are only two or three who know the truth, let them form themselves into a band of workers.” (Testimonies, Vol. 7, p. 22)

5. Has Empowering Leadership

• Uses the equipping formula:
  
    a.  I do, you watch
    b.  I do, you help
    c.  You do, I help
    d.  You do, I watch

“It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:10-13)

“The best help that ministers can give the members of our churches is not sermonizing, but planning work for them. Give each one something to do for others. Help all to see that as receivers of the grace of Christ they are under obligation to work for Him. And let all be taught how to work. Especially should those who are newly come to the faith be educated to become laborers together with God.” (Testimonies, vol. 9, p. 82.) 
 
6. Has Loving Relationships

• We are not just talking here about saying nice things at the right time. Biblical love is action, “serving one another” as Paul puts it in Galatians 3.
  
   
• Jesus said this unselfish caring for another, (that is doing something with no thought of getting anything in return), that is the mark of his followers. In fact, He said this would be the separating point between the sheep and goats, the two types of church members in the last church. One group will be serving God with selfish motives, or out of a sense of duty. The other group will be doing things like feeding the hungry, clothing people in need, and various other caring things, because the unselfish spirit of Jesus has permeated their mind. They don’t even see these acts as a duty.
  
   
• But in doing for others, our own spiritual life is watered.

“It is a law of heaven that as we receive we are to impart. The Christian is to be a benefit to others; thus he himself is benefited. "He that watereth shall be watered also himself" (Prov. 11:25). This is not merely a promise. It is a law of God's divine administration, a law by which He designs that the streams of beneficence shall be kept, like the waters of the great deep, in constant circulation, perpetually flowing back to their source.” (In Heavenly Places, p. 317)

7. Does Need-Oriented Evangelism

• Build relationships with people, be a good listener.
  
   
• Discover people’s needs.
  
   
• Have a detailed, well-organized program for assimilation of new members.

“Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.”
(1 Corinthians 9:19-23 NIV)

8. Has Inspiring Worship

Too many of our members come to worship spiritually empty, lacking involvement in others lives, and thus they are wishing to be entertained. They could well be holding up the sign of the man in the newspaper ad: “Entertain me.”

• But entertain me type sermons and worship, interesting for the moment, leave little lasting blessing. They cause an ongoing emptiness that can only be met with spiritual meat.
  
   
• That is not to say worship should be boring. If given careful thought weeks and months ahead, there can be life to the service while staying away from mere entertainment.

“Our meetings should be made intensely interesting. They should be pervaded with the very atmosphere of heaven. Let there be no long, dry speeches and formal prayers merely for the sake of occupying the time. All should be ready to act their part with promptness, and when their duty is done, the meeting should be closed. Thus the interest will be kept up to the last. This is offering to God acceptable worship. His service should be made interesting and attractive and not be allowed to degenerate into a dry form.” (Testimonies Vol. 5, p.609)

“If ministers who are called upon to preach the most solemn message ever given to mortals, evade the truth, they are unfaithful in their work, and are false shepherds to the sheep and the lambs. The assertions of man are of no value. Let the Word of God speak to the people. Let those who have heard only traditions and maxims of men, hear the voice of God, whose promises are Yea and Amen in Christ Jesus. If the character and deportment of the shepherd is a living epistle to the people of the truth which he advocates, the Lord will set His seal to the work. True friendships will be formed with the people, and the shepherd and the flock will become one, united by a common hope in Christ Jesus.” (Review and Herald, March 11, 1902)

“A constant effort to promote personal piety should be seen in the minister's public labors. Sermon after sermon should not be given on the prophecies alone. Practical religion should have a place in every discourse.” (Signs of the Times, Mar. 16, 1882)

“The prayers offered in public should be short and to the point. God does not require us to make the season of worship tedious by lengthy petitions . . . .A few minutes is long enough for any ordinary public petition.” (Gospel Workers, p. 175)

• I commend to you the eight elements of Natural Church Development as another way of saying what God has been telling this church all along. These are the pieces that must be in place if we are to have growing, successful churches.
  
   
• May God help us as pastors and church leaders, to never rest until we strengthen every weak area of our church. Only then can we expect the Holy Spirit to bring the promised blessing.

“When Christ ascended, He left the church and all its interests as a sacred trust to His followers. And the work of the church is not to be left to the minister alone, or to a few leading men. Every member should feel that he has entered into a solemn covenant with the Lord to work for the best interests of His cause at all times and under all circumstances. Each should have some part to act, some burden to bear. If all church-members felt an individual responsibility, greater advancement would be made in spiritual things. The solemn burden of responsibility resting upon them would lead them to seek God often for strength and grace.” (Gospel Workers, p.200)
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