Ideas for Impact |
What kinds of churches can we become?
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I was listening to Thom Rainer's and Ed Stetzer's recent blogs where they interviewed Daniel Im about his new book, No Silver Bullets (5 Small Shifts That Will Transform Your Ministry)
Here are a few shifts in strategy that he suggests churches make: 1. Changing our definition from Destination to Direction. Churches often say that discipleship means being obedient and growing over a period of time, but we might give the impression it means learning some information or completing a class 101, 201, etc. He reminds us that disciples cannot be mass-produced and that listening to information does not automatically mean we will retain it and apply it. 2. Shifting Our Focus from Output to Input. He said that there is a correlation between helping people do certain things and the outcome it often produces in their life. For example, when we intentionally help people to become self-feeders, to read the Bible consistently for themselves, God uses that in their life and produces changes in their life. I think one way to apply that is to help our teachers concentrate on helping their class read the Bible for themselves each week, not just attend a class and listen to someone else tell what they read. 3. Shift from Being a Sage to Being a Guide. We often teach the way someone taught us, we imitate the model that was given to us. Instead, he encourages churches to teach the way people learn most effectively, which is this: we learn best on-the-job - when we read it, when we do it, when we explain it, when we discuss it. So in addition to lecture, teachers would do well to be more of a guide and help us to do what we want to learn. 4. Shift from Form to Function. The size of the group can be important, but we should make sure that we care about and be intentional about the function of the group. 5. Shift from Maturity to Missionary. Sometimes we might give the impression that the goal of discipleship ends with me - my maturity, my knowledge, my relationship with God. But we have to model for church members that the purpose of helping them grow is so that they can serve others, love others, disciple others, and help others have a personal relationship with Christ. |
AuthorGarry Goodin is the Executive Director of the Mid-State Baptist Association Archives
April 2024
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