What makes a church thrive and grow?

What makes a church thrive and grow? Consider this question:

Fill in the blanks.

By ________ and _______ the church increased in numbers.

What would you fill in?

Today, many might suggest strategies like effective marketing, dynamic programs, or “best practice” methods. While these have their place, a deeper look at Scripture reveals a more foundational answer. In Acts 9:31, we find a powerful insight:

“Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it [the church] increased in numbers.”

Let’s explore why these two elements are essential for church growth.

• living in the fear of the Lord and
• being encouraged by the Holy Spirit

Living in the Fear of the Lord

The phrase “fear of the Lord” might sound intimidating, but it’s not about dread or terror. Instead, it reflects a deep reverence and awe for God, recognizing His holiness and authority. For the early church, this reverence shaped their lives. They prioritized worship, obedience, and humility before God, which fostered a community rooted in spiritual integrity.

Why does this lead to growth? When a church lives in the fear of the Lord, it becomes a beacon of authenticity. People are drawn to a community that reflects genuine faith rather than superficial trends. Historically, the early believers’ devotion – as seen in their prayer, generosity, and boldness (Acts 2:42-47) – attracted others to their message. The many networks of churches in the Global South don’t have flashy production or fleeting marketing trends. The simple authenticity of believing God at His Word and doing what He says looks a lot like the 1st century. And they are “increasing in numbers,” as Luke put it! The sincerity and simplicity is the antidote* to the trappings of distracting discussions.

Encouraged by the Holy Spirit

The second key is the encouragement of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit empowered the early church with courage, unity, and supernatural strength. Acts 9:31 comes after Saul’s conversion, a time when persecution eased, and the Spirit’s presence brought peace and boldness. This divine encouragement wasn’t just emotionally uplifting, but it was the active work of God, equipping believers to share their faith and love one another deeply.

This encouragement fuels growth by transforming individuals and communities. When the Holy Spirit moves, people experience real change: Think of Peter’s transformation from a denier of Christ to a fearless preacher (Acts 2:14-41). Today, a church that relies on the Spirit might see spontaneous expansion of the church through members stepping out in faith, serving others, and inviting friends, naturally expanding its reach.

Examples in Scripture

Scripture shows how these principles equipped God’s people for extraordinary impact:

• Saul (Paul): In Acts 9, after encountering Christ, Saul immediately preached the Gospel, driven by the fear of the Lord and the Holy Spirit’s power. His ministry transformed the ancient world, not through methods but through spiritual equipping.
• David: Facing Goliath, David relied on reverence for God and the Spirit’s strength, not his own ability (1 Samuel 17). His victory mirrors the early church’s trust in God’s power.
• Apollos: He was a competent and eloquent man. Evidently, he feared the Lord as he was faithful to teach what he knew and trusted the Holy Spirit, who even brought Priscilla and Aquila to explain things further (and more accurately) to him (Acts 18:24-26).

These examples remind us that God equips us for today’s battles when we embrace the same principles.

Why These Principles Matter

So, why are these two elements crucial? Living in the fear of the Lord keeps the church grounded in God’s truth, while the Holy Spirit provides the power to live it out. Yet, many modern churches drift from these principles, measuring success by attendance, budgets, or social media metrics. The fear of the Lord is often replaced by a fear of being without (lacking funds, relevance, or approval) while encouragement comes from external sources like praise or recognition rather than the Spirit’s transformative work. While modern tools can amplify a church’s voice, they cannot substitute the spiritual vitality that fueled the early church’s exponential growth, despite its lack of technology or infrastructure.

History warns of the cost of this drift. After the 1st century, as dependence on the Holy Spirit waned, the church entered the Dark Ages, marked by spiritual decline and human-centered religion. Today, we risk a similar fate if we prioritize pragmatism over faith, chasing numbers instead of transformed lives that reflect the call to make disciples. Yet, there is hope. Many churches and believers today face challenges like distraction or complacency, but returning to reverence for God and reliance on the Spirit can overcome these hurdles. By empowering all believers to embrace their God-given callings and gifts, the church can weave a vibrant tapestry of harmony, becoming a compelling witness to the world. Some communities model this well; many of us struggle. The invitation remains: Return to these timeless principles, trusting that Jesus will build His church with authentic, Spirit-led growth.

Putting It Into Action

How can we apply this today? Here are some practical steps:

• Cultivate Reverence: Encourage immediate obedience to God’s Word. Upon the first step into the Bible, a new believer can put into practice one truth they understood from that exposure. This establishes a habit of trusting the Lord to renew us and a habit of trusting new believers unto the Lord. With trust, there is reverence, emphasizing God’s greatness over human effort.
• Seek the Spirit: The Holy Spirit moves in ways we cannot see. I’m showing my age here, but I’m reminded of a sound bite from DC Talk’s Jesus Freak song, which quotes Tozer. It says, “You can’t see the wind, but you can see the effects of the wind.” When we empower people to follow the Holy Spirit, we don’t see directly if the Holy Spirit is at work, but we trust that He is, and we get to see the effects later on. Sometimes we’re uncomfortable with His timing. How long can you release control?
• Lead by Example: Church and network leaders can model these principles, inspiring others to follow. We abide deeply in the vine and trust with a seemingly reckless propensity, developing a culture where failing forward is not only tolerated, but encouraged. David, Paul, Apollos, and many more used this freedom to step out in faith. Will we empower those around us to do the same and support each other when we fail?

The result? A church that grows not just in numbers but in spiritual vitality, deeper community, and effective outreach … outcomes that echo the early church’s experience.

A Call to Reflect

So, let’s return to the question: By ________ and _______ the church increased in numbers. The answer, straight from Acts 9:31, is living in the fear of the Lord and being encouraged by the Holy Spirit. These timeless truths invite us to look beyond strategies to the heart of faith. What could happen if our church/networks embraced them? Jesus is building His church. Reflect on this, and consider one step you can take to live them out. The potential for transformation (and growth!) is limitless.

*Tozer, A.W., and James L. Snyder. Lead Like Christ. Kindle edition, Location 8074. “It is insincerity that curses mankind. And people with foolish disputes and genealogies simply are insincere.”

This article originally appeared at https://socraticberean.substack.com/p/returning-to-the-roots