Curt Seaburg.com

Church’s Physical Location Has Little to Do With Growth

OKAY, it’s no secret, we’re running out of space.  Our church is growing, that's exciting.  It gives us some new challanges to look into.  One of those being, what do we do?  One of those things is that we’re gathering a team together to begin to do some research. And “Re-location Task Force” so to speak.  I came across this recent article that I want to share with you.

Did you know that the growth and health of your church has little to do with your physical location? Church health specialist Dr. Thom Rainer recently studied 13 mediocre congregations that grew to become vibrant, healthy churches without changing pastors. To his surprise, he discovered that there was little correlation between location and growth. “One of the surprises was that the location of a church had almost nothing to do with the struggles and subsequent breakout of these churches,” Rainer said. “Some of the churches have great locations demographically, but others have lousy locations.”

So what was the biggest break through then, for these churches? According to Dr. Rainer, they all had an outward focus. "If there is any one basic lesson, it is to lead the church to an outward focus. The great majority of churches in

America

are focused on their own needs and desires."

Dr. Rainer found that an external focus is fundamental for church health and church growth. He said his research continues to reinforce those sorts of essentials. "In essence, the research continues to remind the church to get back to basics," he said. "While we should seek to be cutting-edge in our ministries and methodologies, we should not neglect basic and biblical principles for church health. The biggest news is that God is not done with our churches. Through the stories of 13 remarkable churches, we see God?s possibilities for so many churches in our nation and our world."

What do you think? What is more important: location or focus; neighborhood or mission? I want to hear from you …..

A Pastor That Loves That We're In A Recession

Yea, you heard me right -- I LOVE IT!!  "Slumping economy", "down turn", "sluggish", I really don't care what you call it, I'm hear to tell you ... I love it!  Before you call those "nice-people-that-just-want-to-talk-to-ya", hear me out. 

Pam & I have four kids and we live an, at times, hectic schedule.  If I'm not careful, I'll go,go,go.  My personality is, "a little aggressive", I've been called, "impulsive", I would probably be defined as "type A",  so a "recession" is good for me.  Why? because it causes me to slow down.  It causes me to re-look at where my money is going and not to spend aimlessly.  High gas prices causes me to ask, "Do I need to go there or can I stop by some other time?"  It causes me to decide to eat at home rather than eat out, thus not only saving money, but increasing family time. 

It causes me to re-prioritize.  Just look at the word "recession."  It's taken from recede which means to "draw back."  Yup, 'draw back.'  In a "draw back" time, I look at where to get the most bang for my buck, what decisions should I make that have Kingdom - eternal value?  It's during times like this, I want to give to the Lord.  I need His help, but I also believe in His cause.  I want to give my money to the things that have eternal value, not short-term usage ... like a new shirt.

That's right - I LOVE RECESSIONS!  And do you know what?  YOU SHOULD TOO!

General Petraeus / Latter-Day Saints

What did the testimony on Capitol Hill by General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker have in common with 401 children taken from a San Angelo, Texas, compound of Fundamentalist Latter-Day Saints?

Both demonstrate our government’s efforts to make life safer for the next generation.

Putting aside political maneuvering and constitutionality issues, being concerned about the next generation is always a worthy cause!  But can our government, or any government for that matter, really secure our children’s future?

In the Bible, it becomes clear that God never intended governments to have that responsibility.  Solomon was speaking to parents when he said, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it” (Proverbs 22:6).

If we really want to save our children, we must understand how to appropriately help them in each of their developmental stages, both physically and spiritually.  Securing a safe environment in the world or in the church alone will not secure their future.  We need a growth plan!

The first need a newborn has is to breathe!  Likewise, spiritual newborns first need to learn how to pray.  Infants need frequent feedings.  New believers need frequent teachings.  And both physical and spiritual infants need LOTS OF LOVE! 

Toddlers gradually move from need constant care and attention to needing one-on-one INSTRUCTION on how to get to know the family and learn their place in the family.  Likewise, spiritual toddlers need one-on-one instruction on how to CONNECT with their spiritual family.  Most people who leave the church do so because they’ve never really CONNECTED with the congregation!

Young children must learn how to appropriately assert him or herself, in a DISCIPLINED WAY.  Likewise, young Christians must be encouraged to take responsibility for their further growth and maturity.

Older children must learn how to do chores, value life, and work together.  Likewise, older Christians must learn additional skills for ministry, and how to work together in ministry!

Teenagers must learn how to mentor younger brothers and sisters, even as they continue to develop their own autonomy by following the examples of worthy models.  Likewise, spiritual ‘adolescents’ needs both good models and good opportunities to be models for those younger than them!

Finally, adults must learn to RESPONSIBLY reproduce and raise the next generation.  Likewise, spiritual ‘adults’ are those who have learned how to evangelize, mentor, and make disciples.  You can TEACH what YOU KNOW, but you will only REPRODUCE what YOU ARE!

Can I encourage you today to take a cue from the headlines?  All too often they remind us that there is a lot at stake in our world events today?  If we truly want to ‘save our children,’ we will do MORE than rely on our military and police motorcades; we will learn and apply the biblical systems of “training a child up in the way he should go!”

A friend of mine shared some thoughts with me the other day, and I wanted to pass those onto you as well.

More Sex

This week, we close out our series on SEX.  Now, contrary to popular belief, I'm not using SEX to get more hits on the world wide web, but, hey, if the word SEX is gonna draw people to this blog, then SEX it is!

Young Adults, are probably the group that has a huge target on their back when it comes to WHO Hollywood is aiming their values toward.  (youth and kids have got to be a close second)  This week, in our growing church gathering, we're gonna tackle Young adults / Singles and Sex.  What is Hollywood trying to teach this growing demographic?  Why should we shake off the imagery of a sex-laden culture and get re-focused again.  God's got a plan for your life.  Understand that great and Godly Sex happens between the ears before it happens between the sheets.

Why are we discussing SEX in church, because we should, that's why.  We're getting hit from every angel on wrong thinking when it comes to SEX and it is leading to wrong action.  Get us not thinking right thought (enter God's Word) and that will lead to right thinking.  The Word of God has a lot to say about SEX.  We should not be ashamed to discuss what God was not ashamed to create.  He invented SEX.  God wants us to have a pure understanding of what great SEX is all about. 

Be there this Sunday, or at least get the CD or MP3.