Comments on: Multiplication Ministry and Maturity

By: Gloria

Gloria — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 15:06:13 +0000

I only have one small comment. I’m going back listening to the podcasts iTunes will still let me get and this was mentioned recently, so I came to look it up. I love the model you’re proposing. However.. your math *is* remarkably conservative In that a teacher seems to only teach two, rather than continuing to teach again.

If a teacher teaches two in a year, and then stops, the math works, but what happens if a teacher picks up two new students each year? Your original teacher could teach 20 in 10 years, each new student could do likewise. Your ten year number could be upwards of 44K, with 133K at the 11th year, unless everyone *only* teaches two. But I imagine the life of discipling doesn’t work that way, as you’d likely want to impart what you know, and keep giving to others.

By: Scott Kiddle

Scott Kiddle — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 18:05:01 +0000

Folks – what a joy to read theological discussion among brethren of “like precious faith”, with diversity of opinion, but nary a hint of rancor. How refreshing, and instructive!

By: Beyond the Box » Blog Archive » Christian Celebrity

Beyond the Box » Blog Archive » Christian Celebrity — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 20:29:13 +0000

[...] years ago. If you would like to read the post that they are talking about, you may do so here: Multiplication Ministry and Maturity. (The link will open a new tab/window so it won’t interrupt your listening if you’ve [...]

By: Theological Musings » Without Getting Too Specific…

Theological Musings » Without Getting Too Specific… — Sun, 05 Nov 2006 03:34:09 +0000

[...] I would hope that even my friends in more conventional structures of church would recognize that this is a huge danger. Earlier this year, I wrote about multiplication ministry, and how it would minimize the burnout of leaders and the fallout from their “indiscretions”. But rather than follow a reasonable method of discipleship, we continually fall into the world’s thinking that “bigger is better”. [...]

By: Steve Sensenig

Steve Sensenig — Mon, 22 May 2006 16:41:00 +0000

PJ and MDM,

Wanted to welcome both of you to the blog. Thanks for your comments. I hope you’ll stick around and comment on other posts, as well.

steve

By: Modern Day Magi

Modern Day Magi — Mon, 22 May 2006 05:13:00 +0000

good post,
im a little too late to add much but here goes.

I am not a pastor or in any ministry role in my current church.

Previously the church I had been in for 5 years or so was largely impersonal and although i was part of the music ministry team and involved in descipleship training it was still not a ‘home church’ to me. I changed churches about 6 months ago and the church I attend now is much more focused on small, connected groups supporting each other and ‘pastoral care’ comming from that framework rather than the one pastoral team solely caring for the whole church.

Both churches are of roughly the same size, my new church seems to be growing, ive only been there a few months so im not sure but my old one is shrinking.

Ive deliberately not mentioned denominations as both churches are focused on the Word rather than emotions even though one is pentocostal and the other is more traditional.

MDM

By: Gordon Cloud

Gordon Cloud — Fri, 19 May 2006 04:55:00 +0000

Thanks Steve, be assured the feeling is mutual.

By: PJ

PJ — Fri, 19 May 2006 04:43:00 +0000

I’m in a church of about 60 people. We are not worrying about the growth of the church persay, but we are going after leaders that are in the church. We building them up so when the church does get bigger it won’t be week, but strong. If you have strong leaders underneath you. The pastor will be strong becuase of them. Becuase the pastor can rely on them in time of need. Letting the pastor do the things that he’s called to do. Not the things he’s not called to do. That’s why we have all different kinds of gifts to make a complete church.

By: Steve Sensenig

Steve Sensenig — Fri, 19 May 2006 04:22:00 +0000

Well, it looks like the conversation has wound down to a close before I had a chance to get caught up on it and contribute more!

I think ded and Erica did a fine job answering Gordon’s final question, so I’ll leave it at that. In case you still want more information on my story specifically, Gordon, allow me to link to two posts I wrote last July on the simple church concept. The first one tells a bit of my story, and the second tells some of the conclusions I came to and how it was playing out at that time in the fellowship here.

What Is Simple Church? (part 1)
What Is Simple Church? (part 2)

Gordon, I want to echo the thoughts of others here in speaking my tremendous respect for you and appreciation for your participation in this conversation. We all are blessed to have you here!!

I’ll try to post again soon, and we can have more dialogue.

steve

By: Gordon Cloud

Gordon Cloud — Fri, 19 May 2006 03:13:00 +0000

Thanks ded and all for your thoughts. My prayers are with you as you seek after God’s will in this endeavor. I truly hope that what you find will enable you and others to grow in your faith and the strengthen the kingdom.

I look forward to future discussions.