Is 400 a number you ever think about? I do!In fact 400 has been on my mind quite a ‘bit lately! It is the latest barrier in our church. What do I mean by that? It is what is referred to in Church Growth textbooks as a “Growth Barrier.” And our most recent growth barrier is 400, that means we are having a hard time passing that number in attendance and then sustaining that growth.
Recently I went back to a book I read a couple years ago written by Carl George, “How to Break Growth Barriers.” Here are a few of the insights I gathered from George on breaking through the 400 barrier:
I believe we are having some success in areas 2, 3, & 4. We’ll have to continue working and praying on the others.
Below are the things I would add to George’s list, that I believe are essential, and even with the above items perfectly in place without these next items Growth won’t occur:
Are you a cultural Adventist? Or we could ask are you a cultural Christian? Either way let me share this with you: if you are, then you are wasting your life!
A “cultural Adventist,” is someone who, by his/her own admission, is an Adventist solely because he/she was raised and educated in the church. Let me tell you, if this is your position you’re wasting your life and time! I personally believe to be “cultural” anything is a waste, but my wife says I am intense in all areas, so maybe that is a little extreme. It is not extreme though to say that “cultural” Christianity or because of my belief system Adventism is leading you no where but eternal separation from God. How and why do I say that?
Revelation 3:15 & 16–
“‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.”
This text is a description of “cultural” living. “Cultural” living is living with no passion, simply going through the motions for the sake of going through the motions. That is what was happening with the church at Laodicea. The Laodicean church was simply going through the motions, no passion, doing Christianity just for the sake of doing Christianity, not because they were truly following Christ. And Jesus said, “Because you have no passion I will spit you out!” It sounds to me like being spit out is pretty much the description of a wasted life.
So are you a “Cultural Adventist Christian” ? Would you die for Jesus? Would you die for what you believe in? Is your greatest passion Jesus and your second greatest passion the mission of Jesus, seeking and saving the lost? As you learn things from the Bible do you ask how can I live more like Jesus? Who can I share this with?
Folks don’t be anything just cause it is the culture, especially Christianity! Be passionate for Jesus and the truths you believe or be nothing, but don’t be cultural, it will just get you spit out!
Parents you need to hear the first few minutes of this video if nothing else!
<p>Backstage Interview – Ben Carson from GiANT Impact on Vimeo.</p>
Is this the only blog you read? Most blogs I read I have discovered through the testimony of friends and or people I respect. You may not consider me a friend and you may not respect me, but I hope you will at least for curiosity sake check out some blogs I am going to introduce you to today:
on a wild horse | doing my best to blend in : This blog is actually written by my little sister, Erin. Erin received her degree in “Writing” I believe, yeah I didn’t know they had a degree in that either…yeah you’re right that limits the job field:) But all of that is okay because my little sister is the greatest stay-at-home mom ever! She writes about her experiences as a mom of two and surrogate mom for my two. Even if you cannot relate to this type of life, that is okay, because she is a gifted writer and I think just in general you will enjoy her caustic wit and self-deprecation (if you can get over the fact that she writes everything in lower case, still bugs me a little, but it is her trademark). So check it out and subscribe if you like it.
gastrobro | GI wannabe : This blog is the blog of my brother-in-law, Chad, yes we share the same name.
Quick story about that: A lady in church comes up to me, “Pastor Chad I met your brother.” Me: “I don’t have a brother.” Lady: “Yes your brother Chad.” Me: “Oh yeah my brother-in-law.” Lady: “NO your brother.” Me: “He’s actually my brother-in-law.” Lady: “He said he was your brother.” Me: *Confused stare* as I ponder how to deal with a member that A.) Thinks I don’t know whether or not I actually have a brother B.) A member that thinks my parents would actually name both of their sons, “CHAD.”
Sidebar over: Chad’s blog are the ramblings of a Medical Resident. Chad is a resident in Fresno, soon to be chief resident, and he is working on his writing skills through blogging…or maybe he is just wanting to share his brilliance with the world! Either way I am not medical at all and I enjoy his blog, probably because it is more about him and his outlook on things than pure medicine. He also throws in experience of his life as a dad and husband to the crazy sister you will read about above.
Modern Ekklesia | Some thoughs on the intersection of church, leadership, and technology : This blog is written by my friend, Rodlie Ortiz. In my opinion Rodlie is one of the most gifted young pastors in our denomination! I hope that one day I get to work with him or for him. Rodlie’s blog is beneficial to anyone in leadership whether you are a pastor or not. It is beneficial to anyone interested in technology.
Thoughts from The White Board : This blog I have mentioned before. It is written by Jason Lombard. Jason owns a marketing and design agency, Anagram Design Werks her in the Central Valley and he is also one of the Elders at Visalia Seventh-day Adventist Church (a site he built and designed). I read Jason’s blog because I sit with him each and every week and learn from him, so I figure I should read what he writes as well!
Seth’s Blog : If you read my blog you will read quotes from Seth Godin a lot. I believe he is brilliant!
Michael Hyatt | Intentional Leadership : The first blog I ever read with any consistency was, Modern Ekklesia, there Rodlie introduced me to Michael Hyatt and I have been hooked ever since. I believe ALL leaders should read Michael Hyatt and then folk that just have a curiosity about doing things well, should be reading Hyatt’s blog as well!
running: the dawn : My friend Gina Creek in this blog writes about her experiences as a runner. She is writes with great honesty and her growth as a runner is inspiring to me! She went from being a well over 4:30 marathoner to a Boston Qualifier!
Well those are some of the blogs I read. I hope you will check them out. Please share with me the blogs you think I should read, I am always open to reading and learning more!
Seth Godin is a genius voice for our time. Anyone that leads or wants to be a person of influence should spend some time gleaning insights from the things that come out of Godin’s brain.
<p>Exclusive interview with Seth Godin from GiANT Impact on Vimeo.</p>
I love that last line: “That is your opportunity to say what you believe and see who follows.” –Godin
When I was at The Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews University, I had the privilege of being a part of a group of individuals that created and began a worship known as FUSION. It was at FUSION and through the worship direction of my good friend Dilys Brooks that I began to learn and appreciate Gospel Music. I then did my evangelistic field school at Kansas Ave an African-American Church in Riverside, CA., and my love of Gospel Music fully blossomed. So I thought on this Sabbath evening I would share one of the songs I fell in love with during that time, “Total Praise” by one of my favorite Gospel Singers, Donnie McClurkin.