Jesus developed a movement, not an organization. Many churches suffer from institutionalism—and it’s killing them.
- The “church” is seen as a building, not people.
- The activity is focused on what happens in the building.
- Consequently, many churches just keep adding expensive real estate to their facility. A lot of it is not at all necessary, but it can actually hinder future growth.
- Outreach is often subconsciously understood as bringing people to the building, to worship. Sadly, it is, to a great extent, ineffective.
- Why would a non-Christian come to a worship service to worship a God they don’t believe in?
- The Great Commission, “Go,” has become, “You all come.” It’s simply not God’s plan.
So, how do you start a movement, (not a program), to get everyone who is a part of your church to be a witness, 24/7, to those in their social networks—which represents “the low hanging fruit’ of God’s harvest field, those who are most receptive?
First, what does not work:
- Beg for volunteers.
- Buy a program.
- Preach it from the pulpit.
- Get frustrated and join another church—only to discover they have challenges and shortcomings of their own.
- Get people into a Bible study on witnessing.
Tomorrow, I will share the most counterintuitive concept I have almost never seen at a church, except, the one where we did it! And, the church, in four years, grew five times its size.
If you would like to know more, you can also subscribe to my podcast on Apple Podcast and Google Play. We will expand on this theme further in our series beginning on March 6, 2018.
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