Saturday Links
The Real Iniquity of the Church Growth Movement
The real iniquity of the church growth movement wasn’t the methodology, but the growth idolatry that tended to develop in the leader’s heart. I define growth idolatry as the unspoken necessity for the numerical growth in a leader’s primary venue in order for them to feel good about life.
If your hope is set on anything other than Jesus, how do you survive when it goes bad? How do you remain passionate and vibrant when no one comes or the baptismal waters are still for long stretches? How do you maintain doctrinal integrity or teach hard things if he isn’t the treasure? How do you worship when your wife gets sick or your son goes for a ride in an ambulance?
Even if you learn from another model, make it your own. Adapt it for your community. Improve on it. Tweak it. Take it up two notches.
Don’t copy models as much as you follow what God leads you to do.
How Would Your Day Change if You Were a Missionary?
As Christians we often need a reorientation in our thinking back to our basic identity and calling. “What if you were a missionary…” is not a hypothetical question. We are missionaries sent by a missionary God. This reality must give shape to our thinking, planning and action.
A disciple of Jesus is someone who learns the gospel, relates in the gospel, and communicates the gospel. This definition of disciple shows us that the gospel both makes and matures disciples.
How To Be a Great Leader (in under 300 words)
Want to lead others? Well, much has been said and written about what makes a great leader, so here are the crib notes.
How to Attend a Conference as Yourself
A conference is just a bunch of human beings bumping into other human beings. Most of whom feel awkward about it. Most of whom, more than anything, would love to be seen for who they are, not just the roles they represent. We can give that to each other.
