What’s the quickest way to the greatest impact? For the sake of the Mission?
Every church leader I know these days is asking that question in light of pressures of sustaining budgets and buildings and programs…against the backdrop of a changing world.
So, what IS the quickest way to the greatest mission impact?
Maybe “quickest” and “greatest” are not compatible when it comes to impact.
As pastor of a large church for many years, I equated “quickest” plus “crowd” with “greatest mission impact.” Particularly if “crowd” was modified with larger or bigger!
There’s a growing uneasiness among leaders with this equation:
Quickest + Crowd = Greatest Impact
Jesus taught the crowds. (Luke 5:1)
Jesus healed the crowds. (Luke 4:40)
Jesus fed the crowds. (John 6:10)
But Jesus discipled the few.
“Go! I am sending you out…” (Luke 10:3)
“Peace be with you…why are you troubled?…” (Luke 24:36, 38)
“Where is your faith?” (Luke 8:25)
And at the ascension, Jesus addressed the discipled few, and not the crowds: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised…” (Acts 1:4).
To be honest with you, something has to die in me (Galatians 2:20) to admit that my greatest mission impact may not be in front of a crowd but in investing in a few. (Something inside my heart sings when I share the Word of God in front of a large crowd!)
The best of leaders, I think, have always sought to master engaging the crowds while reserving space in their lives to disciple the few.
Discipleship to Missional Community offers a way to disciple the few who will then disciple more of the few…all to become leaders that can engage the “no religious preference” and the “not interested in church” crowds in our communities with the Gospel of Jesus.
Your gift today puts “greatest impact” training into the lives of ministry couples and their teams.
Thank you for praying regularly for PLI and the gifted women and men it serves.
