When Small is Truly Ginormous

Remember "Small is Beautiful?"

Way back in 1973 an economist by the name of Schumacher suggested, in his book Small is Beautiful, that economies should revolve around people rather than the mantra "bigger is better." 

The subtitle for the book was, "A study of economics as if people mattered." 

What if the western church, presently obsessed with numbers, did the same thing? Began a reformation in which people rather than numbers mattered?

Just imagine for a moment what would happen if believers obeyed the great commission, "make disciples" and began to focus on just a few believers going deep, rather than shallow hordes which look good on the camera?

Just imagine if every believer saw his or her role as making just a few disciples over their whole life time, prayerfully taking them on a discipleship journey.

Nothing heavy, drinking coffee, listening to their stories, inviting them into our homes, caring for their practical needs, prayefully awaiting the moment they ask spiritual questions....

And then when divine life has been given from on high, not taking them on some man-made "course", but using the God-given wisdom and experience they have gained to guide the young disciples into truth. Perhaps working slowly through Mark's Gospel or answering the big questions they have.

Slowly, over many months, perhaps over years. Patiently.

Nothing heavy, I say, but certainly something sacrificial. At least every week, probably much more often.

Personal Godliness the byproduct

The great blessing of discipling others would prove to be a joyful challenge to our own Christian lives. As we invite folks into our home and lives, as they are free to watch our ordinary rounds of life, then our own walk - now open to the gaze of the new disciple - is deeply challenged because we know that this tender plant will only, under God, become as Christ-like as we are. 

Follow me as I follow Christ, was Paul's guiding principle. 

A Complete Rethink

Of course in our number-obsessed world this idea will never take off without a root and branch return to the Scriptures. 

Instead of our religion being subcontracted out of the home to some building, it will become part of every day life. Instead of churches boasting about the size of their congregations or the number of their youtube subscribers, they'll now boast - and delight - in their twos and threes.

Small and deep is the Jesus way, just a handful, just Twelve minus one. 

And, surprise, surprise, if the church were obedient to Jesus' discipleship command, it would grow not only in depth, the most important factor, it would also grow in number!

If every believer discipled just two or three others in their whole life time, the church would grow dramatically, exponentially. 1-3-9-27-81-243! 

By not focusing on big numbers, big numbers will show up!

And small would, in time, under God, become Ginormous.