Balance: A Tried and Tested Formula for Church Growth by Ira North

 

Balance: A Tried and Tested Formula for Church Growth

by Ira North

I recall Balance by Ira North coming out back in 1984. My father had purchased two copies of it to share with the leadership and membership of the congregation. He wanted everyone to read what was a new work in 1983 but is now reprinted in the Gospel Advocate’s Classics Series. I have both copies of that work from my father’s preaching days. It is among my treasured books and includes signatures of several saints that have since gone onto their reward. My father requested that everyone who read one of the copies sign their names to it.

I recently had the blessing of taking “Education Program in the Church” taught by Dr. David Powell at the FHU School of Theology and this was one of the several works we were assigned to read. Part of the assignment of reading this work was writing a book review of it including some background information on brother North. Some called him “Fiery Irey” and he work a bright red sport jacket to match. Dad and I were able to see it on display at the Gospel Advocate Bookstore several years ago now.

Ira North conducted the Amazing Grace Bible Hour which was aired on television originating from Madison, Tennessee. It was formatted more like a Bible Class; however, it did have congregational singing from the Madison Church of Christ. I recall my parents watching it at times when it was available in our viewing area. The congregation in Madison grew from 400 to 4,000 membership. While circumstances vary from congregation to congregation, I believe all can profit from reading (or re-reading) this book.

North uses Acts 2:40–47 as his text and model for this work. In it, he stresses the importance in balance in three major areas of work: teaching, evangelism, and benevolence. North suggested this model led to church growth then and will do so today. He emphasizes ten principles of church growth that were successful where he labored for several years. Ira North stated that the key to church growth is found in Ephesians 4:3, “endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (NKJV). Of this passage, North noted the “number one problem in the local congregation today is keeping the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace.” The point needs to be made from our pulpits continually. Bickering and backbiting have ruined many congregations, and we must be on guard to squash such from our conduct. The apostle Paul wrote “But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!” (Galatians 5:15) Leadership needs to be vigilant that the truth of God’s word is taught, but they also need to be on guard to make sure it is presented in love and free of rancor, malice or a caustic attitude. The truth will be offensive enough; we cannot allow our imbalance to be a stumbling block to the lost learning the gospel.               

Originally printed in the West Virginia Christian, Vol. 30, No. 12, December 2023, p. 8. Reprinted by permission.