Monday Memo 382: More And More and More

I am always perplexed by how many people believe small is more spiritual than big.  We should never, ever do anything just for numbers or size, or at least that is the dominant thinking.  Consequently, our churches are small, our productivity is sometimes small and our overall results are often meager because we are biased against big.  Small thinking leads to small results.

I am not saying that big is always better, but small isn't always better either.  If you aren't convinced, read on.  If you are, read on anyway.  You may learn something!

MORE

I just finished a paper for one of my classes and I talked about the need to measure our effectiveness.  That's another no-no for many people, whether we are counting people in church or the money we earn.  The reason I stated that we should measure our progress and growth is because God requires it because God requires and expects more.  (Oh boy, now I'm really in trouble with some people!)  I think, however, that I can prove it. Here are some things to consider:

1. We are to grow in the knowledge of God (see Philippians 1:9-11).
2. Jesus said that we should bear a lot of fruit and that our prayers should be answered (John 15:1-8; this fruit is not simply being nicer to other people, by the way: it's tangible results).
3. We should grow in the grace of God (see 2 Peter 3:18).
4. The early church grew in numbers by leaps and bounds; since many want to have New Testament churches, those churches should grow as well (see Acts 6:7).
5. Our faith and love for others should grow and increase (see 2 Thessalonians 1:13).

MORE AND MORE AND MORE

I think we like small because we are afraid.  We are afraid that we can't produce more, that people will criticize us and that we won't be able to handle more.  Sometimes we don't more because we are lazy. Paul commended the Thessalonians for how well they were doing and then gave them this instruction:

And in fact, you do love all the brothers throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers, to do so more and more (1 Thessalonians 4:10 emphasis added).

Now I know that refers to love and doesn't say anything about fruit, books written or people in church.  Yet doesn't it stand to reason that if your love for others increases more and more, that you will then do more and more to express that love in tangible ways?  Won't you want to touch more, help more, and reach more than you did previously?

And exactly how much is "more"?  It's a little more than you did or had previously.  We get into trouble when I compare my "more" to your "more" and I either get discouraged or proud.  The answer, however, is not to avoid big; it's to deal with your attitude -- and then pursue more, whatever more means for you and your purpose.

Are you biased against "more"?  If so, I hope you will spend some time this week reflecting on what I have written.  Where can you do more, be more or touch more in the purpose of God?  Where is your attitude small when God's is big?  When you find out the answers to those questions, you will be well on your way to bearing much fruit, something that isn't an option if you are serving the God that we serve.  Have a great week!

       Feel free to post your comments to this entry on the site where it is posted. 

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Comments

[Bill Hollingsworth]

John:

The Monday Memo meant a lot to me.

Thank You!

Bill

[David Bugher]

Right on, John! In church or parachurch ministry we too often hear, "It's the Holy Spirit, not me, that get the results."

[Paul]

MORE

Dr. John:

I believe the sentence, "More is not always better and smaller is not always better sums up the argument (or discussion) perfectly.

I do know one thing. If life (Ministry) becomes a numbers game, and the ministry boils down to "did we have more this week than the week before?" then we have our priorities in the wrong place.

Weeds grow fast and they are plentiful and I have no problem finding them anywhere I look. Trees (as in "trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord that he may be glorified) are not so plentiful. They take time to plant, time to cultivate and then you have to hope that some electrical storm or tornado does not split them in half or blow them away.

Yes it does say the early church grew, in numbers, daily, but then I am hard pressed to find the emphais of that statement anywhere else in the New Testament. Instead, the writers of the New Testament place the emphasis where it should be;maturity of the believer.