Multiplication is a mindset

After my blog article about churches moving from addition to multiplication (See October 5, 2017, article.), a pastor asked, “If your church isn’t growing, don’t you need to move to addition before moving on to multiplication?”  Great question!  The surprising answer is “No.”  You see we’re not talking about numbers so much as a mindset.

An addition mindset is one that is focused on filling pews.  In that case the focus is on attracting more people through marketing our ministries and making tactical changes, like adjusting our worship times and service style to best meet the needs of those looking for a church, i.e. consumers.   A multiplication mindset is all about a church empowering, equipping, and sending its people into the community–being in relationship with those in need of God’s love and Good News.  A church can be shrinking or plateaued and still change its focus to that of empowering, equipping and sending its people.  Often in the Gospels Jesus is quoted as saying one gains one’s life by losing it.  This holds true for churches too.  It is through a generous giving heart that churches will begin to gain renewed joy, energy, and purpose.

The Indiana Conference has a dream of every one of its churches becoming a missional community, that is a church that sends, whose people go.  Every church can be a missional church, but it will require a mindset shift from addition to multiplication.

Sometimes a church can send people out and still be stuck in an addition mindset.  For example in the book, Shaped by God’s Heart, Milfred Minatrea, writes:  “Releasing members to start new churches is addition.  Releasing members to start church-planting churches results in movements.”  You see it all comes down to one’s mindset.  Is it focused on addition or multiplication?  For the sake of the Kingdom, may it be multiplication!

— Ed Fenstermacher, Associate Director for Church Development

 

Radical hospitality…or not!

A new billboard went up in town this week.  The business’s message says, “If we’re not near you…  Move!”   Hmmm.  I read it again.  Yes, it did say what it said!  Basically, “We’re here.  We won’t attempt to make it more convenient for you.  You (customer) have to come to us on our terms, or too bad!”

I began thinking about the messages our churches send out to the public.  I have heard numerous times churches making comments like, “Our worship times are posted on the sign outside our church and our doors are open, so if people want to come, they can come.”  Not exactly radical hospitality!

On the other hand, I was just at a United Methodist church this week, Robinson Chapel, that had a big sign out in front saying, “Soccer Families Welcome!”  The church lets the city parks department use its large grassy yard five nights a week for soccer, football and other sports for young children.  The church, led by its pastor, Rev. Jill Wright, goes one step further.  It provides free popcorn and bottled water for the hundreds who pass through each week.

Now that is radical hospitality!  What about your church?

— Ed Fenstermacher, Associate Director of Church Development