A digital commonplace for a Regular Guy called Charlie Pharis

Month: December 2003 (page 3 of 3)

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From Ten Steps to Breaking the 200 Barrier
Introduction, “Break the Barrier?”
“…the realities are that growth, evangelism, and the expansion of the church depends as much on a leader’s ability to develop an expansive infrastructure as on any other factor except prayer. The ability to organize to meet people’s needs is more important than creativity in program design.”

Step 1, “Examine Your Motive”
“Why do you want to break the barrier? Unless the motive for growth is to proclaim the Good News to those who are lost and see them saved by the power of Christ, you will be working from an inadequate motive.”

From Ten Steps to Breaking the 200 Barrier Introd…

From Ten Steps to Breaking the 200 Barrier

Introduction, “Break the Barrier?”

“…the realities are that growth, evangelism, and the expansion of the church depends as much on a leader’s ability to develop an expansive infrastructure as on any other factor except prayer. The ability to organize to meet people’s needs is more important than creativity in program design.”

Step 1, “Examine Your Motive”

“Why do you want to break the barrier? Unless the motive for growth is to proclaim the Good News to those who are lost and see them saved by the power of Christ, you will be working from an inadequate motive.”

From Ten Steps to Breaking the 200 Barrier Introd…

From Ten Steps to Breaking the 200 Barrier

Introduction, “Break the Barrier?”

“…the realities are that growth, evangelism, and the expansion of the church depends as much on a leader’s ability to develop an expansive infrastructure as on any other factor except prayer. The ability to organize to meet people’s needs is more important than creativity in program design.”

Step 1, “Examine Your Motive”

“Why do you want to break the barrier? Unless the motive for growth is to proclaim the Good News to those who are lost and see them saved by the power of Christ, you will be working from an inadequate motive.”

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Re-reading an Old Favorite
I’ve begun re-reading Bill M. Sullivan’s Ten Steps to Breaking the 200 Barrier. I got this little book “way back” in 1989 or so. It’s been sitting on my shelf for a long time. Now, I’m aware of the perceived “shortcomings” of the church growth “movement.” And I understand that, in today’s culture, there is a trend toward smaller, more intimate, less institutional expressions of “church.” But I also understand – and appreciate that in my tribe, in this location, the primary understanding is still the church as a cultural institution.

I’m wondering about the practicality/wisdom of trying to “impose” something new without a critical mass to see it through to fruition. Yes, the goal – primary and ultimate – is to develop maturing believers with a radical commitment to Jesus and His Kingdom. But there has to be some pool of people to draw from.

To me, the 200 level seems about right. There’s enough people to do the things that are “expected” of the church. Yet, it’s small enough to foster and encourage intimacy in the fellowship. I’ll be posting some insights from Sullivan’s little book as I go.

Re-reading an Old Favorite I’ve begun re-reading …

Re-reading an Old Favorite

I’ve begun re-reading Bill M. Sullivan’s Ten Steps to Breaking the 200 Barrier. I got this little book “way back” in 1989 or so. It’s been sitting on my shelf for a long time. Now, I’m aware of the perceived “shortcomings” of the church growth “movement.” And I understand that, in today’s culture, there is a trend toward smaller, more intimate, less institutional expressions of “church.” But I also understand – and appreciate that in my tribe, in this location, the primary understanding is still the church as a cultural institution.

I’m wondering about the practicality/wisdom of trying to “impose” something new without a critical mass to see it through to fruition. Yes, the goal – primary and ultimate – is to develop maturing believers with a radical commitment to Jesus and His Kingdom. But there has to be some pool of people to draw from.

To me, the 200 level seems about right. There’s enough people to do the things that are “expected” of the church. Yet, it’s small enough to foster and encourage intimacy in the fellowship. I’ll be posting some insights from Sullivan’s little book as I go.

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Overheard…
“Dad, it would be real expensive to be gay!”
– “The Boy,” upon checking the prices of some of the clothes featured on Queer Eye for the Straight Guy

“Most of us go through life pretending to be Superman. Superman goes through life being Clark Kent.”
– Letter to the Editor, Esquire magazine

Overheard… “Dad, it would be real expensive to …

Overheard…

“Dad, it would be real expensive to be gay!”

– “The Boy,” upon checking the prices of some of the clothes featured on Queer Eye for the Straight Guy

“Most of us go through life pretending to be Superman. Superman goes through life being Clark Kent.”

– Letter to the Editor, Esquire magazine

Overheard… “Dad, it would be real expensive to …

Overheard…

“Dad, it would be real expensive to be gay!”

– “The Boy,” upon checking the prices of some of the clothes featured on Queer Eye for the Straight Guy

“Most of us go through life pretending to be Superman. Superman goes through life being Clark Kent.”

– Letter to the Editor, Esquire magazine