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TITLE:  We are at Kedesh
TEXT:  Numbers 13:25-28
PROPOSITION:  Every church arrives at Kadesh (decision time).
QUESTION:  How?
KEY WORD:  Decisions
SCRIPTURE READING:  Same

INTRODUCTION:

  1. I was hungry, got out cookbook – told how to dress and stuff a turkey
  2. One problem – I don’t have a turkey! What is stopping me?
    1. I don’t have the turkey on hand.
    2. I lack the motivation to go to store, spend money, to get turkey.
    3. I am not that hungry. Settle for coke and chips.
  3. “Many churches do not grow for some of these same reasons. They cannot identify with the church-growth studies because they feel that they don’t have the ingredients, they lack the motivation, and they are not willing to pay the price.” (Pyramid Principle of Church Growth, Womack, page 49)

 Who wants this office?

  1. Desire – in the NT = “to stretch to reach, to challenge oneself to achieve”
  2. Hebrews 11:16 – But now they desire a better, that is a heavenly, country
  3. This word describes an “inner desire” to achieve, reach forth, strive for

 Wrong Reasons – to gain power, control, run things your way

 Proper Reasons to stretch for this goal

  1. Love the church – want it to remain true, not drift, be led astray
  2. Love this congregation – secure its future, establish foundation for growth
  3. Support the programs of work – Encourage, support, motivate, make better
  4. See this church grow – (more on this in a minute)
  5. Willing to help – offer your knowledge, wisdom, maturity

 Why add more elders? How many are enough?

  1. One of the jobs of an elder is to train his replacement.
  2. Pyramid Principle of Church Growth by David A. Womack, 1977
  3. Churches grow – plateau – and grow (or decline)
  4. Plateau levels – 50, 90, 120, 180, 230, 290, 400, 600, 800, 1,200
  5. Are you ready to move to the next plateau? The 230 range?

 We are at Kadesh – It is time to decide – Do we go forward or turn back?

  1. Today we begin the study and search for additional elders.

  2. Next Sunday we have a congregational meeting for your input on programs, improvements, and ideas – on where this church goes from here.




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