- We measure numbers because we believe that participating in
church activities leads to people becoming closer disciples.
- Continuum of Christianity:
1. Seeking: generally believe in God, not sure about Jesus
2. Growing: growing in their relationship
3. Close to Christ: relationship w/ Christ important on daily basis
4. Centered on Christ: relationship w/ Christ most important relationship
-. Stalled: Christian, but not growing closer. Not investing time in the
relationship. They are investing time in the church however.
- No correlation between involvement and spiritual growth!
- initial assumption is incorrect
- people move up the continuum when they invest time in the relationship
- We assume that everyone should be in a SG, serving, etc. Some things
are more helpful for the different types.
- Most church activities are most helpful for #1 and #2. Thus, #3 and #4
are most dissatisfied with church.
- Implication: need to focus on getting people to focus on their relationship
with God, not doing church.
Copyright ©
2007 by Geoffrey Prewett