The Expanding Church

At a recent meeting I led with our church’s ministry team we discussed the pattern of church expansion that is seen throughout Acts. 1) The Gospel is shared & received 2) Churches form 3) Churches are strengthened. Then the cycle starts all over again as God sends/scatters the church. We see him send/scatter believers through: prompting (Philip,) teleportation (Philip again,) a vision (Peter), persecution (many), missionary calling (Paul & Barnabas), and conflict (Paul & Barnabas leading 2 teams.) If we’re to be a part of the fulfillment of Acts 1:8 and true to our mission (Matthew 28:19, 20), then we must be faithful to spread the Good News wherever God has placed us (or scattered us), form new churches, and then strengthen churches until they have the health and strength to join in the mission with us.