Comments on: Death by safety—or not http://www.steveaddison.net/2007/03/12/death-by-safety.html Steve Addison's blog about movements for the renewal and expansion of the church. Mon, 01 Dec 2008 19:22:17 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5 By: Ray Rus http://www.steveaddison.net/2007/03/12/death-by-safety.html#comment-32121 Ray Rus Tue, 13 Mar 2007 23:10:09 +0000 http://www.steveaddison.net/2007/03/12/death-by-safety.html#comment-32121 I heard Phillip Jensen speak sense about the life 'span' of churches. His view is that churches move from growth, to plateau, to serious decline and eventually death (a bell curve but flat on top). Importantly, at each 'stage' they require something different. In growth they need resources; in plateau, reform; in serious deline, reinvention (a new beginning). Further more, if growth is to continue, new ventures (church plants) need to be birthed. This was an important part of the 'growth dynamic'. Given what is occuring in the Anglican church, I think he's right! Anyway, it was helpful for me to understand what I need to do in my situation. Ray I heard Phillip Jensen speak sense about the life ‘span’ of churches. His view is that churches move from growth, to plateau, to serious decline and eventually death (a bell curve but flat on top). Importantly, at each ‘stage’ they require something different. In growth they need resources; in plateau, reform; in serious deline, reinvention (a new beginning). Further more, if growth is to continue, new ventures (church plants) need to be birthed. This was an important part of the ‘growth dynamic’.
Given what is occuring in the Anglican church, I think he’s right!
Anyway, it was helpful for me to understand what I need to do in my situation.
Ray

]]> By: Steve http://www.steveaddison.net/2007/03/12/death-by-safety.html#comment-32008 Steve Mon, 12 Mar 2007 21:35:58 +0000 http://www.steveaddison.net/2007/03/12/death-by-safety.html#comment-32008 Good questions Chris. No easy answers. Howard Snyder talks about continuity-discontinuity in the renewal of the church. Jesus wrestled with this same question. So did the emerging church in Acts. And yes the church is not the kingdom and is continually in need of renewal by the Word and the Spirit. So pray for wisdom. One thing I am sure of though, you're son Toby is destined to be an architect or an artist! Good questions Chris. No easy answers.

Howard Snyder talks about continuity-discontinuity in the renewal of the church. Jesus wrestled with this same question. So did the emerging church in Acts. And yes the church is not the kingdom and is continually in need of renewal by the Word and the Spirit.

So pray for wisdom.

One thing I am sure of though, you’re son Toby is destined to be an architect or an artist!

]]> By: chris gribble http://www.steveaddison.net/2007/03/12/death-by-safety.html#comment-31902 chris gribble Sun, 11 Mar 2007 21:03:18 +0000 http://www.steveaddison.net/2007/03/12/death-by-safety.html#comment-31902 So Steve what does this mean? Do we just break out and try to start something new or should we be a part of the reinvention of the old? Both need to be done by the sound of it. Is the point really that any human structure is destined to fade away? I guess these questions reflect my current circumstances and a desire to understand how best to obey God. So Steve what does this mean? Do we just break out and try to start something new or should we be a part of the reinvention of the old? Both need to be done by the sound of it.

Is the point really that any human structure is destined to fade away?

I guess these questions reflect my current circumstances and a desire to understand how best to obey God.

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