Quantity does not measure quality. Numbers…have little to do with truth, excellence, or character. As on sociologist says, “Big Mac,” even with billions and billions of hamburgers served, need not mean “Good Mac.” But what is misleading even at the trivial level of fast food becomes dangerous as one moves through sports prowess, educational attainment, and presidential character to spiritual depth. For church growth viewed in measurable terms, such as numbers, is trivial compared to growth in less measurable but more important terms, such as faith, character, and godliness. Having growth in terms of numbers, of course, does not rule out the more important spiritual growth. But it does not necessarily include this type of growth either.
Os Guinness, Dining With the Devil: The Megachurch Movement Flirts with Modernity, pg.49-50
WOW, this is something my husband and I have been saying to pastors for YEARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteIt is ABSOLUTELY true.
-Carolyn