All of my adult ministry life, I have been focused on “church growth” with the strategy being that if we connect with large numbers of people in church or in a seminary class that we will make more disciples. In my experience, that hasn’t been the case. Many of our churches are full of people who have been passive listeners of sermons for years and are still not missional leaders in their everyday lives. I am discovering that we make a greater impact in the kingdom of God by spending more time with fewer people.
Karr also makes the following point about why we gather: "The purpose of our gatherings together as the body of Christ is to get us edified, encouraged, and equipped to go back into the community." What he implies but I think needs to be said is that we go back into the community with mission. Many of us go back into our communities only to accept whatever life throws our way, rather than going intentionally.
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