I really respect what God has done through the North Coast Church movementmodel. I just want to comment on his point about "Why Dividing Groups Is A Dumb Idea". To say it's a dumb idea and that the motive is just to grow the Church numerically is wrong in my opinion and experience. When we multiply groups and leaders, for that matter, it allows us to not only accomplish the Great Commission but also the principle of II Timothy 2:2. We've found that people don't leave their old friends when they multiply groups, they actually broaden their network of relationships within the body of Christ. They do stay connected to their old relationships and multiplying groups allows more people the chance to grow into spiritual leaders by creating more opportunities for leading new groups. I realize the push back for most is that they don't want to leave their comfortable group that they have been in for a year or two but we cast vision for why we multiply early and often to get them use to the idea. For what it's worth, I realize and believe God uses both models effectively to reach the lost and make disciples. Neither is dumb, just different.

Comment by Chris Patton - 11/17/2008 7:18:44 PM