tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987271399653590272.post1650142674200480386..comments2023-10-29T19:03:11.547-04:00Comments on A Pilgrim's Progress: Strawman Argument: No GrowthErichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07306854704766653209noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987271399653590272.post-4937810165230332512010-08-28T16:29:12.261-04:002010-08-28T16:29:12.261-04:00Norma,
I think you are right on target.
I like...Norma,<br /><br />I think you are right on target. <br /><br />I like that you mention relationships. They are so important for evangelism. So many churches today teach some sort of 5-step process for sharing your faith in the hopes that this will lead to conversions and numerical growth.<br /><br />I would rather see real conversions begun in relationships.<br /><br />And to see many small churches permeating a city or larger area would be wonderful.Erichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07306854704766653209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987271399653590272.post-30222322632972934012010-08-28T13:46:30.126-04:002010-08-28T13:46:30.126-04:00another thought - large traditional churches usual...another thought - large traditional churches usually draw on a large geographical area, which does not encourage people to reach out to those in their neighborhoods and workplaces to develop the relationships that can lead to really sharing Jesus. In fact, very often those same large churches can train people to be satisfied with relatively shallow relationships within time-bounded programmed gatherings. <br /><br />I'm thinking that if the church is found in many small groups scattered across the entire geographic region, there is a greater opportunity in those small groups, first, for people to learn to have deeper relationships; and, once that happens, when the group reaches the size that they must "divide and multiply," there is likely to be a greater chance that they will be needing to develop NEW relationships, and maybe they will start actually getting to know their neighbors.<br /><br />And gradually, instead of a few lone "lighthouses" scattered across the area with large areas cast in dark shadow, there will be candles shining in many windows, filling in the shadows with light. <br /><br />(Your blog's background picture inspired that metaphor :-) )Norma Hill - aka penandpapermamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02034679415355279691noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987271399653590272.post-66153279100172197952010-08-27T21:17:38.158-04:002010-08-27T21:17:38.158-04:00John,
I agree. I suppose the real accusation her...John,<br /><br />I agree. I suppose the real accusation here is that people are not coming to know the Lord through people who are part of house churches. This simply is not the case. As we know, house churches do grow, and then divide/multiply. This false accusation is so absurd it is amazing.Erichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07306854704766653209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987271399653590272.post-35357022800922432042010-08-27T16:47:45.220-04:002010-08-27T16:47:45.220-04:00Eric,
In my opinion, house churches ought not gro...Eric,<br /><br />In my opinion, house churches ought not grow very much, because they will continually be shedding some of their number to start new house churches.<br /><br />House churches ought to begin having that idea firmly in mind.Aussie Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16199918171163666399noreply@blogger.com