Good Seed - Bad Soil?
Just wanted to share some nuggets that I have come across in my recent study:
It seems that the 80/20 rule is prevalent in most of the churches. For those who aren't familiar with this rule, it is where 80% of the work in the local church is being done by 20% of the people. I've always wondered about this and believe that I have stumbled onto the answer. The text for this working theory is Mark 4
The Parable of the Sower
1Again Jesus began to teach by the lake. The crowd that gathered around him was so large that he got into a boat and sat in it out on the lake, while all the people were along the shore at the water's edge. 2He taught them many things by parables, and in his teaching said: 3"Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 (SOIL #1) As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 (SOIL #2) Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 (SOIL #3) Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain. 8 (SOIL #4) Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, multiplying thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times."We know that the seed is the Word of God. Notice the different types of soil:
Soil #1 is symbolic of someone that never hears the Word or what little they do hear is quickly forgotten, and is not saved.
Soil #2 is shallow. This type of person receives the word with enthusiasm. The "choice" however was made to make life better and hard times are not factored into this equation. Ray Comfort teaches about people who "try" Jesus like He is some kind of product. Anyways, when this person runs into adversity, they quit the Jesus trial and move on to something that gives them a false hope that life is easier. Basically, their commitment is shallow and will fold under pressure.
Soil #3 is thorn or weed infested. This type of soil / person is more interested in the desire for things...a life of materialism. These folks may say the right things (Christianese), but their own wants and desires rule their lives.
Soil #4 is the good soil. These people receive the Word in their heart and mind and it grows and bears fruit. These people do more than hear the word...they put it into action and become doer's of the Word.
What does this all mean as leaders within the Body of Christ? Good question!
Well, by this parable we can understand the reason for the 80/20 problem in most churches. In this parable we can see that 2/3 of those who receive the Word (and are saved), do not bear fruit. Out of every 10 people, only 2 will bear fruit. Ouch!!!
Actually its not so bad once you change your outlook on the matter. This may even set many of you pastors free. You see, most pastors try to accommodate the 2/3 who are not bearing fruit. We assume that we might be doing something wrong or we need to be more hip or we need to get the latest__________________. (fill in the blank yourself). We will go out of our way in some cases, just to keep people "in church". What we end up with is a congregation of consumers. They are in every city in the world, people who jump from church to church, shopping for the best whatever....praise band, children's ministry etc... Churches end up competing against one another to see who gets the "bad soil" . That's crazy!
Here is a quote from the book Organic Church by Neil Cole. "One can be totally uncommitted to the Kingdom, distracted by the deceitfulness of riches, and the desire for other things, and still be a member of our church."
Conclusion: Most leaders spend too much time on the unfruitful. It's time that we invest our time and energy on the ones that will bear fruit.I leave you with on last quote, " Life is too short and the potential yields too great to spend our lives babysitting fruitless people".
We Wish You A Happy Christmas & New Year 2009.
Dear Beloved Brother / Sister in Christ,
Greetings to you in Jesus Name Amen!
First of all I praise and thank Lord Jesus for giving an opportunity to have beautiful fellowship with your Blessed Ministry by sending this Email. This is Pastor Pravardhan Varma from Tenali , Andhra Pradesh SOUTH-INDIA. Running a church named by Good Seed Church Ministry since the year 2000. We need your prayers for our Ministry and for Hindu country India Amen. We look forward to have Spiritual relation with your Ministry which helps us to grow more in Christ. For further details regarding Good Seed Church Ministry, you can log on to www.gscmindia.org">www.gscmindia.org
Convey my Greets to your family & Staff.
Waiting to hear from you,
In His Service,
Pastor.Varma & Family.
GOOD SEED CHURCH MINISTRY.
Gospel On Wheels,
South India.
www.gscmindia.org">www.gscmindia.org
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