Post on 02-Jan-2016
We are to walk in wisdom towards them that are without!
The woman Wisdom is crying out to us but we have to open up our ears to learn
from her!
I have said that all of us are more urbanized than we easily admit.
Is it hard to say that “I am colder, busier, more impersonal and
spend less time with old friends than my grandfather did”?
Unfortunately, there is very little “rural living” except in very remote
areas!
Good roads and great communications
have seen to that!
Jonah 3:2-4" 3 So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, a three-day journey in extent. 4 And Jonah began to enter the city on the first day's walk. Then he cried out and said, "Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!" NKJV
Jerusalem was a great city by God’s plan and design.
When it was godly, it excelled. When it was sinful, it was
humbled or even destroyed!
In Jesus’ and Paul’s timesRome
Antiochand Ephesus
were three of the largest cities in the ancient world –
In Jesus’ and Paul’s timesRome
Antiochand Ephesus
were three of the largest cities in the ancient world –
and the church did really wellin those three cities!
Yet cities are more complex and harder to adapt to in their
complexity than less populated rural society!
So it is much harder to understand urban churches and the Gospels interaction with the
urban life style
How do you make choices?
How do you communicate with urban dwellers?
What reactions should you expect?
Wisdom says that you have to recognize the patterns, moods,
fears, values and unusual responses of people today
Wisdom says that you have to recognize the patterns, moods,
fears, values and unusual responses of people today
if you are going to reach them and move them!
You can see some of these when you understand the
changes that have to go on as a congregation grows and has to adjust itself to each new level!
Levels Of Churches
Patriarch, Matriarch 40-50One Group Church 60-80
Preacher Centered Church 125Program Centered Church 200
Levels Of Churches
Patriarch, Matriarch 40-50One Group Church 60-80
Preacher Centered Church 125Program Centered Church 200
Specialist Church 350 up
Key Numbers and Barriers
40-50 Patriarch, Matriarch75-80 “One Group”200 “One Worker”
400 “Limited Worker Team”
Key Numbers and Barriers
40-50 Patriarch, Matriarch75-80 “One Group”200 “One Worker”
400 “Limited Worker Team”Limited Skills, Knowledge
Seating Rules
Seem Weird & ArbitraryAre Extremely Valid & AccurateCannot Grow Beyond 75-80%
Best Growth 50%-66%
Seating Rules
Seem Weird & ArbitraryAre Extremely Valid & AccurateCannot Grow Beyond 75-80%
Best Growth 50%-66%No Growth 40% Full
Seating Rules
Seem Weird & ArbitraryAre Extremely Valid & AccurateCannot Grow Beyond 75-80%
Best Growth 50%-66%No Growth 40% Full
Dying 30% Full
Would you have a service for this congregation in the BJCC if they let you use it one night
for free?
200 people on one side on the lower level on the center line?
Describe the singing! Your feeling!
Phil 3:13-15 Think This Way
…forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature think this way,
ESV
1. Patterns
Biblical Precedent – John 4
Warm BridgeGradual Bond
Stimulating CuriosityEstablished Messiah-ship
v.16-18
1. Patterns
Biblical Precedent – John 4
Warm BridgeGradual Bond
Stimulating CuriosityEstablished Messiah-ship
Result Was A Personal Worker
2. Events
Regular Services & Bible ClassesMonth Long Bible Class Emphasis
Super Well Done SingingFriends & Family Time
2. Events
Regular Services & Bible ClassesMonth Long Bible Class Emphasis
Super Well Done SingingFriends & Family Time
Bible Reading W/ Coordinated BC
2. Events
Regular Services & Bible ClassesMonth Long Bible Class Emphasis
Super Well Done SingingFriends & Family Time
Bible Reading W/ Coordinated BCTraining Events
3. Techniques
Early PlanningEarly Motivation & Awareness
Training SessionsEvangelism Teams
New Scriptural Forms & Patterns
Work Force Rules
200 Barrier“One Worker Barrier”
It can be stretched and it has been but it will always get you!
5. Help In Evangelism
Best Help Is God’s HelpHe Wants Us To Work, Cooperating With Him
That Great Help Is Triggered Through Prayer
5. Help In Evangelism
Best Help Is God’s HelpHe Wants Us To Work, Cooperating With Him
That Great Help Is Triggered Through Prayer
Praying Intently and Often