Retirement Shortfalls in Australia And Why Real Estate May Be The Saviour

Research shows that only one in 10 Australians currently invest in residential property as a vehicle for wealth creation.

Furthermore statistics also show that less than 10% of Australians are retiring in a similar or better financial position than pre retirement

According to the Commonwealth Bank on their website Commbank.com.au when it comes to wealth creation for Australians’ residential property remains the number one asset, accounting for $4.4 trillion of our wealth.”

In comparison to other asset classes, the bank states that superannuation accounts for $1.5 trillion, Australian listed stocks $1.3 trillion and commercial real estate $0.7 trillion.

Based on the above figures one could assume that these are strong indicators that the average Australian family feel safe in bricks and mortar compared to a managed fund or share portfolio.

Over twenty years experience in most sectors of Real Estate and in particular working closely with new investors for the past five years provides the author with an insight into what stops people moving down the track of property investment.

Generally there were three repeating themes that appeared when questioning people on what was stopping them from investing in Australian Residential Property.

1. A Fear of Investing – this could be as simple as not wanting to lose money or a deep seated fear or phobia.
2. Don’t know how to do it or where to start – some people are financially inept and for whatever reason can’t put a plan in place to make it happen.
3. Could not be bothered with the headache – Unfortunately this is where most Australian’s are placed. Most people do not see the URGENT need to create wealth at this very moment.

Unfortunately it seems the majority also underestimate the amount they will require to fund their retirement and overestimate how much their Superannuation will provide.

Data provided by the Australian Bureau of Statistics from their 2012 Census results indicate that a large number of these people are in for a rude shock in years to come.

Unless they make fundamental changes to their current and future financial structures, chances are that without a lottery win or receiving a substantial inheritance they will end up either Dead, Dead Broke or Still Working though their twilight years.

Not much reward for a life time of sweat and toil!

If you grew up in Australia with Baby Boomers as parents, (keeping in mind they were raised by parents who lived through a depression) you were most likely told that debt is bad and should be avoided at all costs.

The safest way to secure your future was to save a large deposit in order buy a home. Once you had a family you would continue to work as hard as you can to pay your mortgage off and therefore when you retire the theory was that a modest comfortable lifestyle awaits.

There was also an understanding that you could feel secure in the knowledge you will always have a roof over your head and an Age Pension available to fund or supplement your existence..

Fast forward to 2013, according to the Melbourne Institute, the average Australian will need at least $38,000 in a total combined household income just to live above the poverty line in retirement.

Furthermore the website also states that as of March 2013 the maximum amount a married pension age couple could receive from the Australian Aged pension was approximately $31,000 per year.

Realistically, what would you require in 2014 for a comfortable lifestyle in Retirement,?, generally, consensus suggests that your plan and strategy should provide least $60,000 p/a in pre taxable income for a couple who are debt free.

To achieve an income in the vicinity of $60,000 p/a would require approximately $1.200,000 invested in an income producing asset, (it is important to note that this figure should not including the value or equity in the family home.)

This figure would then provide an annual income close to the $60,000 figure based on a conservative estimated 5% yearly return.

As you can imagine saving your way to Retirement seems a futile exercise.

This is where Australians need to take advantage of leveraging by using debt to your advantage.

“There have been very few wealthy people who have saved their way to wealth.”

It is critical you understand and feel comfortable with the fact you will need to use debt to leverage your exposure and therefore multiply your returns.

Another equally important consideration is the importance to protect the equity built up over many years in your most important asset – your family home.

There is clear anecdotal evidence that more and more Australians are relying on using the equity in their home to help fund retirement. By doing so they are effectively reducing the amount available for future generations

To highlight the problem, the investment management firm Challenger provide data from APRA that show that the average superannuation fund for an Australian couple aged 60 plus is currently between $120,000 – $200, 000.

These figures are a far cry from the amount required and you don’t need to be a mathematician to work out there is very little that could be done to fix the problem. so late in their working life. The cold hard reality is that,these people are heading for a meager existence unless they remain employable.

“So back to Property & how to avoid the above scenario?

It really comes down the old adage

“Just Do Something”

The longer you leave it the harder it is going to be!

The current Liberal Federal Government has already earmarked making wholesale changes to the Age Pension eligibility criteria. It seems their sole aim is to reduce the rapidly increasing amount required to fund Pension entitlements and to reduce future Social Service payments to a more sustainable figure.

It is obvious that many within the Government ranks can see the writing on the wall and are agreeable with the need to take decisive action.

There is a strong need for a review and implementation of policies to reduce the large forthcoming liabilities caused by the baby boomer generation heading in to their retirement severely under funded.

There seems to be a consensus that the solution may be to provide further tax incentives to encourage mum and dad investors to invest in real property.

Regardless of the methods installed, if we want Australia to remain the Lucky Country then we really need to answer the question –

“Who is going to pay for increasing costs’ associated with such a large increase of an aging population?.”

It is also important to consider that another key difference in our modern society compared to twenty years ago, is the increasing expenses involved to provide essential services on a day to day basis.

Couple this with the fact we will need to make more regular purchases of household items as we continue to live in a much more disposable society, It seems there is a great deal of truth in the sentiment that

“‘things aren’t made like they used to be”

When you consider our current situation, and with an ever changing political and business landscape in an ever more mobilised world, this would indicate that as a nation we are going to be paying the price for many years for failing to foresee the current scenario and or adequately plan strategies and policies on how to best manage or avoid it.

Unfortunately, this future will one day become the reality and for some it will make for interesting times.

Will the Generation X & Y crowds who will be heading in to their last quarter of their working lives very soon see the mistakes of the previous generation or will the trend continue in much the same way based on learnt behaviours and attitudes?

So what can you do?

There is no silver bullet or magic formula, nor are there hidden secrets that only the wealthy have access to, there is however quite a large hurdle to overcome and that hurdle is procrastination.

Given the fact the impending pain and distress is not a today problem, we tend to try to forget about this part of our finances as more of a one day in the future scenario.Unfortunately for most by the time that one day comes it is far too late.

The first step is to make a serious commitment to take action now – make an appointment to see a good advisor or strategist who understands and works with standard residential property along with the other more common products offered like managed property funds, superannuation and accumulation plans

It is important that you take control of the agenda and make it known what your concerns, fears and ambitions are.

Self Assessing your yearly tax liabilities and interest payments is a good exercise prior to your first appointment..

Once you start to comprehend the amount of disposable income the average family is left with after paying tax and interest you will begin to start seeing the need for urgent action on how to reduce these amounts as much as legally possible.

It is also extremely important to be completely open and up front with yourself and your advisor. Keep in mind that just like your Doctor, most financial services professionals have most likely seen and heard it all before, many times over.Further, there should be no reason to feel embarrassed about discussing your current situation. no matter how grim the future may look and you may want to keep in mind that over 90% of similar aged Australians are in exactly the same position.

OK, so you’ve found your Adviser – Now what?

There are eight important questions that need to be answered in any financial plan or strategy that involves leveraging your equity in the family home.

1) How can I reduce my debt in the shortest time frame by utilising cash flow management?

2) How can I reduce paying so much tax and how will this improve my cash flow.

3) What effect will my new structure and cash flow have on my debt levels and my plan to rapidly reduce debt?.

4) How much will I be risking in equity or cash in a worst case scenario and how long will I be exposed to this risk?

5) Is there a method or strategy available to reduce the risk involved.

6) What will the proposed strategy achieve for me in xyz years?

7) What will happen if this or that happens?

8) What are the real risks associated with my family home compared to the outcome I could expect in my current scenario.

If you are meeting with a Financial Advisor and they seem to be unwilling or unable to answer these eight questions or you feel they have a pre determined agenda just to sell you a product or service that suits them then find another.

Regardless of the previous relationships or friendships with current providers your retirement is far too important to let feelings of betrayal or loyalty come into play with your urgent need for a plan and strategy.

Other areas where you may be able to find professionals that understand the situation and know how to formulate effective strategies may include Mortgage & Finance Brokers, Real Estate Agents, Tax Accountants & Property Investment Facilitators.

Whilst a second or third opinion is always valuable it must not become an excuse for procrastination.

“The sooner you act the sooner you will become financially free.”

Of all the servants of Satan the false prophets are the most subtle. This is due their uncanny ability to appear convincing while destroying the souls of their hearers. In the biblical countdown of end-of-the-world events in the writings of almost every prophet and apostle the warning against listening to falsehoods has always been given the emphasis it deserves.

The level of importance that the warnings against false prophets is given is a measure of the level of peril to which one is exposed when he/she listens to them. But it seems as if most of us are not taking these prophecies as seriously as they should. Apart from Jesus’ prediction in Matthew 24, the Bible passage the get my attention on the subject at hand is found in the second epistle of Peter. Here is what he says:

“But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.” 2Pet. 2:1, 2 (KJV)

At this point I need to differentiate between the two kinds of false prophets. Firstly, there are preachers who preach falsehoods because they are deceived themselves. Being deceived they become Satan’s agent of deception as if he is practicing it intentionally. The second set consists of preachers who were actually put there by Satan to infiltrate the Christian society with the intention of taking over organizations. While the former can be undeceived through a revelation of Bible truth, the latter has a definite agenda and knows what he is doing and who he is working for.

The false teachers with a definite agenda are the ones who we are told about in the above extract from the epistle of the apostle Peter. By his use of the word ‘privily’ to describe the activities of last-day false prophets, he is conveying the idea of a covert operation, a carefully planned strategy of propagating falsehoods so that it does not become readily apparent to all concerned.

The part of this text of scripture that concerns me greatly is Peter’s assertion that these same false teachers who introduced damnable heresies will also deny the Lord as well! When I think about denying the Lord my mind is taken immediately to what this same Peter did to Christ. He knows what it means to deny Christ. Therefore, we should not be under any illusion as to what he is trying to bring to our understanding when he says false prophets will deny Christ.

Certainly, the denial of Christ would be a new low in the preaching of falsehoods, yet it is prophesied as something to take place before the world comes to an end. Today, we have false preachers preaching about Christ, telling us that we need to accept Him as our Saviour; that we need to pray to Him for guidance. For something opposite to be the case there must be a dramatic change in their messages. That there will indeed be such a scenario is confirmed in the following text from the epistle of Jude:

“For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.” Jude vs 4 (KJV)

From what we read in both the epistles of Peter and Jude, it appears that this is the ultimate goal to be achieved in the propagation of falsehoods. It is Satan’s long-tern aim for the world be brought to the place where they deny the Lord God and His Son Jesus Christ. No wonder Jesus prophesied of the proliferation of false prophets as one of the signs of the end of the world.

The Devil knows that he doesn’t have a long time in which to accomplish his purposes, and that if he is to succeed he must have all his agents on the field. But how will he get the world to deny the Lord? Based on my observations of how people respond to certain type of preaching it doesn’t appear to be something impossible. It seems to me that congregations around the world are becoming less and less concerned about the truth or falsity of the sermons they listen to every week.

From all appearances people are more interested in the ‘feel-good’ effect of the preaching. The preacher might be known for his fiery delivery and for his ability to touch emotional cords every time he preaches. He may be a good motivational speaker. Whenever preachers with these kinds of talents preach a sermon, it only causes people to be lost in the emotional validation from the presentation and forget about its doctrinal value.

It is for this reason why Peter predicted that “many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.” The constant imbibing of false teachings will ultimately lead to the blaspheming of the truth and its Author. The result of socializing the Christian world in doctrines that are unscriptural is precisely the phenomenon against which the apostle Paul issued the following prophetic warning:

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” 2Tim. 4:3, 4 (KJV)

So, it seems quite conclusive that it is the people’s inclination to listen to untruths why they will become exposed to the possibility of falling prey to Satan’s end-time stratagem. Your only hope of escaping his dragnet is to love the truth and make it your point of duty to educate yourself in the word of God in general and end-time prophecies in particular. As the end of the world draws near the need to become acquainted with the devices of Satan will be most critical. It is a matter of life and death.

If Jesus’ death annoys you, I hope you will consider why that is, and whether the reason or reasons are close to what the Bible says on the subject. Jesus’ death is central to the Christian message of the saving, reconciling love of God. Here are a few reasons why his death may still annoy you. But why bother to think about such things? Your reasons will tell you a lot about yourself. Something you may not even know.

• LAMB

Many religious people have been taught that Jesus was a prophet, who was spared from a cruel death by crucifixion by being taken down from the cross and exchanged for someone, who then died instead of Jesus. The main driver for this idea was that God would not allow such an important person to suffer such public humiliation and arranged the changeover just in time to save Jesus’ life. The reality is that such an exchange never took place. It is based on religious wishful thinking that cannot bear to see Jesus suffer and die in such a debased way.

If that is your belief, to hear about Jesus actually dying may annoy you, indeed, it may even make you angry. However, it is always good to face facts. Jesus prophesied his own death, and did so repeatedly, for instance, when he said of himself, ‘they will mock him and spit on him, and flog him and kill him’ (Mark 10:34). John the Baptist, whose role from God was to announce Jesus’ coming, saw him and called out ‘Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!’ (John 1:29).

• LIVING

All of the old lamb sacrifices find their fulfilment in Jesus’ final, never to be repeated sacrifice, when he willingly offered up himself taking on himself the divine judgement that sinners deserved. Sin is never a trivial little issue that prayer and rituals and pilgrimages will wash away. God’s perfect holiness and his broken law – ‘for all have sinned’ (Romans 3:23) require that sin be judged by death. So that nothing but the precious blood of Christ, shed in death on the cross, will pay the full price of sin so that all who put their trust in Jesus Christ may be freely forgiven.

For Jesus’ completed sacrifice for sin made by his death on the cross fully satisfied God’s perfect justice, but that glorious, most precious truth still annoys people. However, his bodily resurrection on the third day was God’s confirmation that he accepted Jesus’ sacrifice and that Jesus was indeed God’s Messiah and the eternal Son, with no beginning, in the one true and living God.

• LIGHT

By nature, we think we can get right with God by doing good things. We think if we try hard enough, God will be bound to accept us. We want the honour of being able to save ourselves. We want our sorrows and pain and difficulties of this life, and all our good deeds and prayers to be sufficient for God to forgive us. What awful religious pride!

The Apostle Paul, called by Jesus to share his good news, was persecuted by religious people who were fervently trying to get right with God by their own religious good works. These people were offended with the message of the cross of Christ because it told them that if they were ever going to get right with God it would be on his terms that he would forgive and welcome people, who came to him bereft and empty-handed, and definitely ‘not by works done by us in righteousness’ (Titus 3:5).

Deep-seated pride is stirred up by this message of Jesus’ death, which annoys people, especially those with a strong religious upbringing. That is because the message of the cross of Christ calls us to humble ourselves before God and to accept that we are lost rebels, hopeless and helpless apart from God’s great mercy and favour which we could never deserve.

• LOVE

Yes, there is still ‘the offence of the cross’ (Galatians 5:11), or ‘offense’ if you prefer US spelling, which stirs antagonism and pride, but if that same message humbles you and causes you to call out to God to have mercy on you and forgive your many sins, you may be given eyes to see that Jesus’ death is the most wonderful revelation of God’s love. By it he has shown that the great Creator was willing, even to become the despised outcast but also the great Saviour, powerful to save all who would trust in him.

Well, will you be annoyed or eternally grateful for Jesus’ death?

Jowar is also known as the White Millet. It is a cereal grain popularly called as Sorghum. It contains 70 percent carbohydrates, 12 percent protein along with 3 percent fat and low vitamin content. It is economical and has excellent nutritive value.

It is a rich source of dietary fibres and can be consumed daily. The high concentration of fibre helps lower the risk of obesity and elevated blood cholesterol. The fibres keep the stomach full and thus aid in avoiding extra calories. The high fibre content in jowar reduces digestive problems and improves the health of digestive system.

With regular consumption of jowar, the levels of bad cholesterol in the blood get reduced and the risk of heart stroke and cardiac health are also significantly reduced.

Iron which is necessary for the proper functioning of the body is also provided by jowar. It is also an excellent source of phosphorus, an essential element needed by the body to support the growth and maintenance of bones.

Also, adequate amounts of thiamine are provided by the regular consumption of jowar. The low Glycemic Index (GI) of jowar makes it a suitable food for diabetic patients. Include jowar in the form of jowar rawa or Jowar Flour in the diet to squeeze out all the benefits from the small golden grains.

The white millets are gluten-free and cholesterol free rich source of nutrients. They are almost considered a life saviour to people who suffer from gluten sensitivity or also called as Celiac. Since a person suffering from gluten sensitivity has to stay away from everything that has gluten (and wheat has gluten), jowar is a boon to such people. They provide essential elements required by the body for the proper functioning of various organs.

Preparing Recipes:

Various recipes can be prepared from the jowar flour or rawa. It can be used as a substitute for wheat flour in making baked goods. Include these super healthy grains in the diet in the form of rawa or flour and prepare delicious food items.

One can also prepare low-fat idlis from the Jowar Rawa. To make diabetic friendly idlis, soak organic urad dal overnight.

Decant the water and grind it into a fine paste. Wash jowar rawa (double of urad dal) and drain completely. Add jowar rawa in the urad dal paste and leave the mixture aside for fermentation. Add salt and prepare delicious rawa idlis out of the jowar rawa by transferring the batter to greased idli moulds. Steam it for 20 minutes. Serve it with sambar, a south Indian delicacy and coconut chutney. If in a hurry, prepare jowar rawa upma and kick start the day with the delicious and healthy breakfast.

One of the most favoured use of jowar flour is for substituting wheat flour to make rotis, popularly known as Bhakris in India. For children and elderly people, you can also make yummy jowar flour dosa.

Omelette made from jowar flour is also a good option to serve the nutrients in an easy and tasty way. Just chop a few onions, tomatoes, green chillies, coriander and mix it with jowar flour. Add salt and prepare delicious healthy snacks for tiffin time or evening snacks.

Young wise and vibrant

Virtuous, tender and so bright

An only child, a miracle Child

Born out of adversity ever so mild

Sent to Minna, when only a Minor

To be taught and brought up on a manor

A teacher she became

At Idi-Aba was the Sesame

That opened the door to the globe

The world became smaller as she strode

The corridors of learning

May Perry was her favorite

A teacher of exceptional character

Hailed from Canto Georgia

To Africa obeying the saviour

Laying a mark always to be savoured

What a mission, what a missionary

She was Hannah and not ordinary

At Baba Lawoyin she met Isaac

Love at first sight at the site

Swept off her feet and away on the kite

Married with seven golden children

through struggle, pain and sacrifice

the seven all stood on a sure foundation

Of Christ which is our inheritance

She could have left

But she stayed

For the seven she gave it all

walked on fire, coal and dust

She endured all the frost that bites and leaves everlasting marks

Now frail but the less no tail

she still the head in all she does

Walks with a cain but still keen

about knowledge with a pen

Inspiring others to do the same

Memories of Rachel are fresh

Piles of it are stored in our minds

She gave and still gives

All she has and ever had

Herself!!!!!!

That’s all we ask

That’s all we need

And it’s more than enough

The one thing that Christians miss in their prayer is the blood. They know to pray God’s word in the name of Jesus but pleading the blood is omitted but it is a vital part of warfare against the enemy. Satan likes the fact that not much is known about the blood because he knows it can render him useless and he knows that he cannot stand in its presence because life is in it and there is no life in him, therefore, he flees from it.

How do we plea or apply the blood of Jesus? We do it by speaking it but it must be done in faith and never out of fear. In order for it to work for us, we have to have confidence in it like we do our salvation. We cannot apply it every once in a while or consider it a common thing. We must have a relationship with it because it is our covenant.

For over 1500 years before Christ came, the Israelites had an animal blood covenant and they had a relationship with it. Daily sacrifices were made because of this relationship and God honored it and blessed them. How much more will He do for those who are in a relationship with the blood of His Son? He will do much more indeed.

The three major weapons of our warfare are the word of God, the name of Jesus and the blood of Jesus. If applied properly, we will see great and mighty wonders. When these three weapons are in use, the kingdom of darkness is bombarded with power from on high and what is being held captive must be set free. Healing is manifested; peace and prosperity will come and everything that pertains to life and godliness will come to us.

Demons cannot stand the blood; they are repelled by it and they will flee from it because they are aware that God views it and He will manifest Himself because of it. Jesus has already defeated them once and they do not want to contend with Him again so they will leave His anointed ones alone.

During the Pentecostal era of early 1900; God spoke a word to the church saying, “Make much of the blood and the blood will make much of you”. Those Saints of the Lord made much of it and they saw many signs and wonders by the hand of God. His word does not change; what He said to them applies to us today.

Actor Jack Black’s most recent movie is a modern version of the classic Gulliver’s Travel. Besides being good, interesting entertainment, it contains some good life lessons.

Self Esteem

Inside the movie Jack Black plays a mailroom guy who has been stuck in the position for years and is not progressing in his job. He has a low self esteem of himself and has a crush with a female colleague of another department, but he deems that he is not good and worthy enough and thus dare not ask her out.

Lesson – Our self esteem and beliefs limit our achievement in life. What we think and believe about ourselves will set the limit to what we think we can do and achieve in life. If we have a low self esteem and always think that we are not good and worthy enough, it is unlikely that we will be able to achieve much in life. If we do not believe in ourselves and our own capabilities it is unlikely that others would. With a low self esteem and limiting belief in our own abilities, come fear. It is then highly unlikely that we will venture to take risks or try anything that is outside our comfort zone or are unfamiliar with, and that will keep us small and encaged in the status quo, with little room for improvements and breakthroughs in our lives.

Be Yourself

When Jack Black ended up in Lilliput and saved the king, he suddenly became somebody, which has never happened in his life before. Overnight he became a hero, a saviour, all important and respected. As a result he started to lie and make up tales, living in a fantasy world to keep up his image in the eyes of the people in Lilliput that he is an important person – The President of US, where he came from, so that he would be respected. But of course the day came when his vulnerability and incompetence is exposed and he loses all the respect.

Lesson – Be yourself, do not try to be someone you are not. In life, we need first acknowledge and accept who we are and be comfortable with ourselves. We can lie to others, be inauthentic to try to be someone else we are not, but we will never be able to lie to ourselves and God, and it is a matter of time our disguises and lies will be exposed. More important of all, if we always try to be like some others, worse still put up a false front, identity, or image, we will never be truly happy, as we will then always lead a life of pretense which will be very tiring, unnatural and artificial.

INTRODUCTION

This article presents the concept of ‘church growth’ alongside evangelism mainly in the book of Acts. Whereas the Old Testament depicts evangelism as people coming to God, the Lucan perspective demonstrates that God’s servants will go to His people. Blauw’s thesis is that “a centripetal missionary consciousness becomes in Acts a centrifugal missionary activity…” (1974, 34). In George Orwell’s Animal Farm, the pigs looked from pig to man and vice versa but could not differentiate them in the very last page of the text which by extension shows what could happen if the church wants to imitate the world. One cannot replace the methods or the principles that brought church growth in the New Testament in our own era.

TYPES OF CHURCH GROWTH

1. Internal : This is the spiritual growth of Christians. Right relationship is established with God and man. Many Christians quote John 3:16 which demonstrates God’s love for man without taking into consideration I John 3:16 which focuses on man’s love for his fellow man.

2. Expansion: This is accomplished by the evangelization of non-Christians within the area of the operation of the church or ministry.

3. Extension: This is the growth of the church by the establishment of daughter churches within the same general homogeneous group and geographical area.

4. Bridging: This focuses on the establishment of churches in different cultural and geographical areas.

CHURCH GROWTH : WAYS TO INCREASE

1. Biological growth- children of existing members who come into the church.

2. Transfer growth- members of one church who unite with another church.

3. Conversion growth- the coming into the church of people of the world who are converted by receiving Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour.

DEFINITION OF TERMS

Evangelism: Evangelism in Acts is the communication of the good news of Jesus Christ through verbal proclamation and lifestyle witness, with the intent of leading a person or group to salvation in Christ.

Church Growth: This is the quantitative and qualitative development of the church. It is different from ‘swelling’ which is common and dangerous in the contemporary church. The African Church is dismissed as a mile wide and an inch deep which implies that other parameters other than numbers account for church growth. Church growth could also be seen as an application of Biblical, anthropological, and sociological principles to congregations, denominations and their communities in an effort to disciple the greatest number of people for Jesus Christ. Believing that it is God’s will that His Church should grow and His lost children be found, church growth endeavors to devise strategies, develop objectives and apply tested principles of growth to individual congregations, denominations and the worldwide body of Christ.

Church Growth Eyes: This is a characteristic of Christians who have achieved an ability to see the possibilities for growth and to apply appropriate strategies to gain maximum results for Christ and His church.

Church Growth Principle: According to McGavran and Ann, this is “a universal truth which, when properly interpreted and applied, contributes significantly to the growth of churches and denominations. It is a truth of God which leads his church to spread his Good News, plant church after church, and increase his body”(1977, p.15).

PRINCIPLES

1. Prayer or Spiritual Warfare

Prayer is indispensable to church growth. John Stott comments that following Jesus’ ascension, the prayers of the disciples had two characteristics which “are two essentials of true prayer, namely that they persevered, and were of one mind” (1990, 10). The principle of unified prayer, or prayer with one mind and purpose, is a thread that runs throughout Acts. Luke’s initial description of the 120 (1:5) shows that they followed Christ’s command to wait for the Holy Spirit by obediently praying as a group WITH ONE MIND. See also Acts 4:18 (Sanhedrin); Acts 12:5 (Herod); Acts 11:11 (Peter’s rescue).

2. A clear and unique vision

In the King James Version, Proverbs 29:18 is rendered, “Where there is no vision, the people perish”. Vision is God’s dream of what he wants to accomplish in and through our lives and the lives of our churches. Several churches have vision statements they never use. What God blesses with success in one place is not necessarily His plan for any other. Every growing church has a sense of unique vision and purpose – a clear sense of direction. The church planter and the laity share a common vision for what God wants that church to accomplish. In most cases, the church planter and the people can clearly describe and articulate their vision. This gives the people a sense of direction. They are moving toward an objective. They are not merely existing.

3. Leadership

A vigorous growing church is catalyzed by dynamic leadership that draws the entire church into action. For the church planter to function as a good leader, s/he must have certain specific character qualities and carry out certain specific leadership responsibilities. The church planter must truly desire growth for the church and must be willing to pay the price in hard work. The leadership must lead the work to organize the mission, set goals, develop plans, and mobilize the people to accomplishment. S/he must be creative, innovative, and assertive with regard to the vision and mission God has for His work.

4. The recognition and importance of the laity

The people of the work must be equipped to discover and use their gifts. They must be ready to assume new responsibilities and willingly hand over various leadership positions to other new people as the church continues to grow or expand.

5. Strategic Planning

The idea is to develop ongoing strategies that will help achieve the mission of the church. These should move the church toward realizing the accomplishment of its vision. With specific instructions from the Saviour, the apostles established a strategy to reach Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). Nehemiah positioned his people in areas of interests. Paul went to the synagogue and then the agora which was both a market place and centre of public life (Acts 7:17). A good church website can help your church to grow. Unfortunately there is an on-going war in this technological age: Technophilia vs. Technophobia. Many Rip Van Wrinkles exist in contemporary times. Several church leaders are yet to realize potential of a website for church growth. Yet a church website, specifically designed to reach outsiders, integrated with other appropriate outreach strategies, could be a major key to drawing non-Christians to your church.

6. Life Development Groups

This could be stated as the principle of assimilation. Perhaps the most important aspect of this principle is that the church must be structured in a way that develops an organizational base for growth. The larger the base, the greater the possibilities for growth. Life development groups provide a critical function that facilitates a church’s growth e.g. Sunday School groups, Youth Fellowship, Ministries (Men, Women, Youth, Children) etc.

7. Indigenization

Paul and Barnabas left the indigenous churches with leadership that would provide the direction after the apostles departed. Though the forms of church government vary in the New Testament, they appointed elders to continue their leadership roles. The elders were within the church (“in each church” Acts 14:23) completing the indigenization process.

8. Open Gospel

In the early church, some regarded Christians as Jews who have received Jesus as the promised Saviour. Consequently, any Gentile desiring to become a Christian must first become a Jew. This ‘closed’ gospel was a major concern for Christians like Paul. The Jerusalem Council became a pivotal point in the history of the early church. Neither circumcision nor adaptation to the Jewish community would be a requisite. Christians today should discover the same attitude to the unbelieving world. Is the gospel open today, or does it carry the baggage of cultural expectations, idolatry of tradition etc? One should not necessarily become a member of your tribe before he is a Christian.

9. Follow-Up

The mission of the church is to win souls. Therefore, evangelism is not treated as a single principle since that is the primary mission of the church. The related concept of ‘follow” is crucial for young Christians. According to Acts 15:36, “some days after, Paul said unto Barnabbas, let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do.” Follow-up could be regarded as a motherly instinct. It is a deliberate focus on young and new believers for the purpose of spiritual guidance and counseling.

10. Discipleship

According to John Wesley, leading souls to Christ without a discipleship programme is to beget sons for the devil. Church growth is enhanced when each member becomes a part of the body (Eph. 4:16; Rom. 12:3-8; I Cor.12:12-22 etc.) and is endangered when they do not identify with the body. What we have learned must be committed to the faithful to teach others also. The importance of Bible Study, Sunday School Classes etc. cannot be overemphasized.

11. Sovereignty (Supreme Authority of God)

Despite the abundance of conflicts and setbacks in the early church, Luke communicates clearly that God is the final victor. Acts, in one perspective, is a narrative of the sovereign work of God in the midst of external and internal forces that would thwart any ‘normal’ movement. Though we are the vehicles to communicate the Gospel, our strength and power come from God. He gives the increase after the ‘planting’ and ‘watering’, He makes every thing beautiful, not in our, but in His time. One sows, another waters but God gives the increase. The clay does not question the Potter’s intent.

LIST OF REFERENCES

Blauw, J. The Missionary Nature of the Church. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1974.

McGavran Donald A. and Winfield C. Arn. Ten Steps for Church Growth. New York: Harper and Row, 1977.

Stott, John. The Spirit, the Church and the World. Downers Grove, Illinois: Inter Varsity, 1990.

Wagner, Peter C., ed. Church Growth: The State of the Art. Wheaton: Tyndale House, 1986.

The Mysteries of God and finding entry there into, has captivated mankind throughout the ages. By our very nature we are creatures of reason; we live by knowledge and crave answers to the unknown. Finding out how to unravel the greatest of mysteries then, is all about finding the keystone that unlocks it.

A keystone provides the missing link for understanding; it fills in the gap with much-needed relevant knowledge; it is a key used to unravel a mystery. People have many questions about their origin, the purpose of life, and ultimate destiny; the original intent of the soul versus its altered state through iniquity; the curse of death man suffers under; and the Devil’s intrusion upon mankind. Such burning questions set the stage for understanding the value of a keystone that would unlock the Antichrist’s code of deception and the mysteries of God in these things.

So then, what kind of keystone would God have designed in order to resolve ultimate questions about man’s origin, the purpose of life, and our destiny? When He sent Jesus Christ to be the Saviour of the World by shedding His blood for man’s redemption, the Lord provided His Son as the keystone by which to unravel the mystery of existence; to understand the scale of Satan’s deception; to grasp the purpose of life; and to gain real experience of God’s love in action.

Only the True Keystone can Unlock the Mystery

Just as not just any key can unlock a specific door, so too for the understanding of the mysteries of God to unfold to believers, the reality of Jesus Christ must be present. Many a believer go to church and read the Bible yet remain confronted with the same unanswered ultimate questions. So why is this?

Fact is the spirit of Antichrist has been actively opposing the unveiling of the mysteries of God all along as even the early apostles warned. Through his deception people are misdirected to counterfeit paths to seek answers; given a false version of Jesus Christ that appeals to man’s sensibilities yet stands outside the path of godly enlightenment.

Jesus Christ is the One Truth that Sets Us Free

For Jesus to be effectual as the keystone to the mysteries of God and remove the deceptive veil of the Antichrist, His Truth must first be known. People seek answers in the Bible alone, or not finding it there, look to others considered to be leaders in faith. As a result Christian literature is an ever booming multi-billion dollar industry, but the world still remains in darkness and believers are still as vexed as ever.

So then to unravel the mysteries of God, there needs be a system whereby the Truth of Christ is made known as to unlock the scriptures and renew the mind to His perspective. This authorized sanctified system for salvation is Jesus Christ in action; it is the Covenant that bears His blood. And to gain the understanding to enter there into, Jesus gave the blueprint for faith to his apostles, and is restoring it to the church again now trough His living apostles.

The teaching here is for us not to forget the divine laws of God for a purposeful living as revealed to us in both the Old and New Testaments of the Holy scriptures (Bible). The secret for success is laid bare here. We are encouraged, individually, to actively meditate on scriptures and diligently apply our hearts to keep his commandments and follow kingdom principles. Never let loyalty and kindness get away from you! Wear them like a necklace; write them deep within your heart. Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will gain a good reputation. Prov 3:3,4 (NLT).

 

Meditate on the Bible, so you might find favor and understanding in my sight and in the sight of men. This is the master key to ultimate wisdom. Accept Jesus Christ, as your Lord and Saviour. Trust in God with all your heart and not in your own understanding – the wisdom of man, which is limited in impact and efficacy. Acknowledge God in all your ways, seek Him in all your transactions, in every plan you may be contemplating – invite Him into your affairs, into your business, into your marriage, into the careers, into your job situation – and He shall direct your paths through wisdom and give you a long and satisfying life.

Be not wise in you own eyes. The wisdom of this world shall fail ? Instead, depart from evil, stop sinning, fear the Lord – the almighty God, the creator of heavens and the earth. The one who is and who is to come, the ever present one, the ever sufficient one. our provider, our present help in times of need. Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the LORD and turn your back on evil, stop sinning and enjoy renewed health and vitality.

         

Apply wisdom to your studies, career and business in the area of your finances. Honour the Lord with your substance, with your time, love offerings and tithe – first fruits of all thine increases. As you pay attention to follow his teachings on kingdom investments, so shall you activate his promises of divine increase and abundance. Honour the LORD with your wealth and with the best part of everything your land produces, then he will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with the finest wine.

Finally, don’t ignore it when the LORD disciplines you, and don’t be discouraged when he corrects you. For the LORD corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights. Prov 3:11,12 (NLT). Remember, that this present day financial crises is for your increase. (Dr Albert Odulele – Glory House London). Herald it, preach it, teach it, shout it from the roof tops to help prepare, encourage, empower and edify my people. My ways are not your ways and my thoughts are not yours, sayeth the Lord. As you remain faithful to obeying my words, and continue to put your faith in me and your part of the covenant of wealth – so shall prosperity and abundance follow you all the days of your life.

 

Wisdom prophetics:

Thus sayeth the Lord, as you humble yourself under my shelter and divine covering, and diligently meditate your mind and heart on my eternal words, so shall i reveal myself, strong and mighty on your behalf. As you apply your hearts to scripture, my spirit will come and sup with you. You shall be filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship Ex 31:3 (KJV). Your days shall be long. You shall enjoy long life, health, prosperity and abundant success. Divine peace shall be yours. It shall come to pass in those days. You shall not be put to shame. I shall watch over my word to perform (Amen).