This week's math lesson..

I had a conversation with a friend of mine today that brought up something that I learned a few years ago. We were talking about how its easy to feel like those in ministry are better servants of God because they speak to dozens (sometimes hundreds) of people about Jesus every week. In that light, its easy to believe that my being a teacher will never be on par with being a pastor/ministry leader.

Then, I'm reminded of how Jesus spoke to the masses. He definitely did so, but I think his main ministry was to 12 particular guys. He poured himself into them and those 12 ministered to a few more who ministered to a few more who ministered..... Get the idea?

I heard a professor at Moody Bible Institute explain it in a way that my brain really latched onto. Mostly because it dealt with math, I think. He said that while its easy to feel like those on stage are doing a better job, sometimes, the numbers prove otherwise. Consider the following scenario...

A pastor preaches to a church of 1,000 people every Sunday. Its not possible for this pastor to personally minister to 1,000 people. He can teach them but he can't really have a deep, committed relationship with them. Because of this, its often the case that many of these people do not have a faith that goes beyond the walls of the church. A large percentage of these people are not producing disciples.

On the other hand, take a person who decides to invest heavily in 3 people. Let's say that after 2 years of investing in these 3 people, that they turned around and invest in 3 more. Two years later, all of the previous disciples disciple 3 more. If this pattern continues, 3 more people per period of 2 years become disciples of Christ who create more disciples of Christ (slightly confusing?).

For those of you who hate math, maybe just skip the next paragraph. 

This is an exponential effect. 4^x power, where x = each 2 year period displays the current number of disciple-producing disciples. After 10 years, 1 person's commitment to 3 people has (theoretically) produced 1,028 fully devoted followers of Christ.

1 ----> 4 ---->16 -----> 64 -----> 256 -----> 1,028.

Now, clearly there are other variables involved. Some people won't choose to keep living for Christ. But, the principle is still the same.

1 person's commitment of discipleship can have an exponential effect for the kingdom of God.


I don't think Jesus is running the numbers. I don't think God really cares if our efforts produced 10 more followers or 10,000 more. I think God is much more concerned about our efforts than he his about the fruit of our efforts.

However as a model for ministry, I think this is the route more churches should go. I'm not saying that we should do away with massive Sunday morning teaching and worship, but maybe we should take seriously the  affects of small, intimate communities of Christians.

Just some thoughts. What do you think? Seriously, you should respond below. Just click anonymous if you'd rather not be named!