If you twist the arm of someone who doesn't like your idea, you get an elbow in the chops.
—Craig Brian Larson
"We have to face reality," I announced to the congregation one bright October Sunday morning. "We are not bringing people to Christ."
Before me, seated on stacking chairs in a grade-school gym, were our fifty adults and a few children, appearing as civilized as landed gentry (toddlers excluded).
"The Great Commission is our mission," I continued. "We have to do whatever it takes to become a church that leads people to Christ."
Our church was nine years old, and I had been the pastor for two years. We had grown from thirty-five to eighty on a bang-up Sunday, but I wasn't satisfied: it was transfer growth. We weren't reaching unchurched people.
I took responsibility and resolved to do something about it. I blocked out time in my schedule, prayed intensely about the problem, and birthed an idea—a seven-step strategy for breaking out of our shell.
Confidently and with great expectations, ...
You have reached the end of this Article Preview
Support our work
Subscribe to CT and get one year free
