We are to walk in wisdom towards them that are without!

The woman Wisdom is crying out to us but we have to open up our ears to learn from her!

I have said that all of us are more urbanized than we easily admit.

I have said that all of us are more urbanized than we easily admit. Is it hard to say that “I am colder, busier, more impersonal and spend less time with old friends than my grandfather did”?

Is it hard to say that “I am running around like a chicken with its head cut off most days”?

Maybe it is just that “cities” and “urban living” are the problem!

Unfortunately, there is very little “rural living” except in very remote areas!

Unfortunately, there is very little “rural living” except in very remote areas! Good roads and great communications have seen to that!

Are cities the “curse and doom” of mankind? Tower of Babel

Are cities the “curse and doom” of mankind? Tower of Babel and Babylon

Are cities the “curse and doom” of mankind? Tower of Babel and Babylon Nineveh

Jonah 3:2-4 " 3 So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, a three-day journey in extent. 4 And Jonah began to enter the city on the first day's walk. Then he cried out and said, "Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!" NKJV

But Nineveh Listened and Repented!

Jerusalem was a great city by God’s plan and design.

Jerusalem was a great city by God’s plan and design. When it was godly, it excelled.

Jerusalem was a great city by God’s plan and design. When it was godly, it excelled. When it was sinful, it was humbled or even destroyed!

In Jesus’ and Paul’s times Rome Antioch and Ephesus were three of the largest cities in the ancient world –

In Jesus’ and Paul’s times Rome Antioch and Ephesus were three of the largest cities in the ancient world – and the church did really well in those three cities!

Yet cities are more complex and harder to adapt to in their complexity than less populated rural society!

So it is much harder to understand urban churches and the Gospels interaction with the urban life style

Churches have to understand how to comprehend and react to urban patterns!

How do you make choices?

How do you make choices? How do you communicate with urban dwellers?

How do you make choices? How do you communicate with urban dwellers? What reactions should you expect?

Wisdom says that you have to recognize the patterns, moods, fears, values and unusual responses of people today

Wisdom says that you have to recognize the patterns, moods, fears, values and unusual responses of people today if you are going to reach them and move them!

You can see some of these when you understand the changes that have to go on as a congregation grows and has to adjust itself to each new level!

Levels Of Churches

Levels Of Churches Patriarch, Matriarch 40-50

Levels Of Churches Patriarch, Matriarch One Group Church 60-80

Levels Of Churches Patriarch, Matriarch One Group Church Preacher Centered Church 125

Levels Of Churches Patriarch, Matriarch One Group Church Preacher Centered Church 125 Program Centered Church 200

Levels Of Churches Patriarch, Matriarch One Group Church Preacher Centered Church 125 Program Centered Church 200 Specialist Church 350 up

Key Numbers and Barriers

Key Numbers and Barriers Patriarch, Matriarch

Key Numbers and Barriers Patriarch, Matriarch “One Group”

Key Numbers and Barriers Patriarch, Matriarch “One Group” 200 “One Worker”

Key Numbers and Barriers Patriarch, Matriarch “One Group” 200 “One Worker” 400 “Limited Worker Team”

Key Numbers and Barriers Patriarch, Matriarch “One Group” 200 “One Worker” 400 “Limited Worker Team” Limited Skills, Knowledge

Seating Rules

Seating Rules Seem Weird & Arbitrary

Seating Rules Seem Weird & Arbitrary Are Extremely Valid & Accurate

Seating Rules Seem Weird & Arbitrary Are Extremely Valid & Accurate Cannot Grow Beyond 75-80%

Seating Rules Seem Weird & Arbitrary Are Extremely Valid & Accurate Cannot Grow Beyond 75-80% Best Growth 50%-66%

Seating Rules Seem Weird & Arbitrary Are Extremely Valid & Accurate Cannot Grow Beyond 75-80% Best Growth 50%-66% No Growth 40% Full

Seating Rules Seem Weird & Arbitrary Are Extremely Valid & Accurate Cannot Grow Beyond 75-80% Best Growth 50%-66% No Growth 40% Full Dying 30% Full

Would you have a service for this congregation in the BJCC if they let you use it one night for free? 200 people on one side on the lower level on the center line? Describe the singing! Your feeling!

Tomorrow Night We will talk about the barriers and ceilings that we had introduced tonight!

Start

Facing The Future

Forgetting the things that are behind Pressing forward to the things that are ahead

Phil 3:13-15 Think This Way …forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, ESV

In the Things That Are Ahead Patterns Events Techniques Barriers Help

1. Patterns Biblical Precedent – John 4

1. Patterns Biblical Precedent – John 4 Warm Bridge v. 7

1. Patterns Biblical Precedent – John 4 Warm Bridge Gradual Bond v. 9-14

1. Patterns Biblical Precedent – John 4 Warm Bridge Gradual Bond Stimulating Curiosity v. 10, 14

1. Patterns Biblical Precedent – John 4 Warm Bridge Gradual Bond Stimulating Curiosity Established Messiah-ship v.16-18

1. Patterns Biblical Precedent – John 4 Warm Bridge Gradual Bond Stimulating Curiosity Established Messiah-ship Result Was A Personal Worker

2. Events

2. Events Regular Services & Bible Classes

2. Events Regular Services & Bible Classes Month Long Bible Class Emphasis

2. Events Regular Services & Bible Classes Month Long Bible Class Emphasis Super Well Done Singing

2. Events Regular Services & Bible Classes Month Long Bible Class Emphasis Super Well Done Singing Friends & Family Time

2. Events Regular Services & Bible Classes Month Long Bible Class Emphasis Super Well Done Singing Friends & Family Time Bible Reading W/ Coordinated BC

2. Events Regular Services & Bible Classes Month Long Bible Class Emphasis Super Well Done Singing Friends & Family Time Bible Reading W/ Coordinated BC Training Events

3. Techniques

3. Techniques Early Planning

3. Techniques Early Planning Early Motivation & Awareness

3. Techniques Early Planning Early Motivation & Awareness Training Sessions

3. Techniques Early Planning Early Motivation & Awareness Training Sessions Evangelism Teams

3. Techniques Early Planning Early Motivation & Awareness Training Sessions Evangelism Teams New Scriptural Forms & Patterns

4. Barriers Generally Unexpected Numbers, Facilities, Work Force Balanced Seating Rules

Work Force Rules 200 Barrier “One Worker Barrier” It can be stretched and it has been but it will always get you!

5. Help In Evangelism

5. Help In Evangelism Best Help Is God’s Help

5. Help In Evangelism Best Help Is God’s Help He Wants Us To Work, Cooperating With Him

5. Help In Evangelism Best Help Is God’s Help He Wants Us To Work, Cooperating With Him That Great Help Is Triggered Through Prayer

5. Help In Evangelism Best Help Is God’s Help He Wants Us To Work, Cooperating With Him That Great Help Is Triggered Through Prayer Praying Intently and Often