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Evangelism and Church Growth

Overview

Ministries In Action is committed to helping churches grow.  Since 1962  MIA has been working with churches, primarily in the Caribbean to train pastors and lay leaders as effective evangelists. 

Ministries In Action has a comprehensive program for the development and strengthening of the local church, particularly in the areas of fellowship, discipleship, and witness. This is accomplished through a deep understanding of the nature of the church, its ministry, and its methods.

The MIA Evangelism and Church Growth Program focuses on five areas.

    1.    Helping church leaders to analyze and use their manpower resources.
    2.    Instructing pastors and laymen in the use of leadership tools.
    3.    Emphasizing in a theologically practical context the nature and ministry of the church.
    4.    Designing and implementing action plans for total church growth by:
            a.    Starting small groups which include prayer, fellowship, bible study, evangelism and discipleship.
            b.    Building a friendly culturally engaged church by instituting the MIA “Friendship Evangelism” Program.
            c.    Using special outreach events to proclaim the gospel.
            d.    Teaching individuals direct methods of evangelism and discipleship.
    5.    Guiding leaders to involve every member in body‑life functions with the goal of developing mature, committed Christians equipped to do the work of the ministry.

MIA is currently working with Haitian churches representing two denominations in Haiti totaling over 600 churches; over 75 Haitian churches in Florida (Miami, Homestead, Ft. Lauderdale, Tampa), New York, Boston, Montreal, Canada, The Bahamas, Grand Cayman and St. Maarten; 3 churches in St. Vincent, 5 churches in Granada, and 5 churches in Jamaica.

Methodology

The full strategy is more completely explained in the Ministries In Action Handbook For Church Growth, which is the primary resource used in training. The MIA Handbook For Church Growth was published in 1983 by its authors Terry L. Gyger, Dave B. Calhoun and E. Walford Thompson. This book contains a detailed explanation of the MIA Strategy For Church Growth which is an intensive program of church growth and development which is both church‑based and church oriented. The strategy has brought new life and vigor to numerous congregations in the United States and substantial growth in overseas churches through indigenous adaptations of the Ministries In Action principles.

The MIA Strategy For Church Growth is taught through practical workshops in seminaries, churches and communities in which leaders actually practice using the skills which they will employ on the job. A comprehensive plan using a variety of methods is used to mobilize every Christian. The ultimate goal of this plan is growth in three dimensions: numerical, spiritual and organizational. This strategy is not just a one‑time experience. The recycling aspect provides checks, corrective controls and opportunities for evaluation, all of which maximizes the end result. Sensitivity to cultural distinctives is also an important feature of this program. Through its extensive experience gained in working in different countries, Ministries In Action has learned the importance of allowing cultural distinctives to shape a particular strategy within the limits of Biblical revelation.

The MIA Strategy For Church Growth combines theology and methodology. Often, careful theological study has failed to result in vigorous application in the daily life of the church. On the other hand, there are numerous plans and programs for the church which are based on pragmatic or worldly models and do not take seriously the biblical requirements. In practical theology, as in every other area of theological study, we need to follow the Puritan dictum: "Truth is toward action." The MIA Strategy For Church Growth combines careful attention to theology, and a practical, dynamic program for the church. It seeks to discover in the Bible the main outlines of a scriptural plan for church growth and development, and allows these biblical requirements to shape and control its methodology. Through its research and experience in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean and Europe, Ministries in Action is convinced that churches today can be both scripturally and theologically informed and fruitfully active in obedience to God.