Multiplication vs. Addition

Multiplication is a natural tendency in the world. Whether it is population growth, the spread of a cold, or the spread of weeds in my yard, multiplication is the norm.

Jesus knew this. That is why he knew that if the Kingdom of God was ever going to make an impact it had to multiply. He told stories about yeast spreading through dough, about a mustard seed, about a seed in good soil that multiplies 30, 60 or 100 times, and about how a seed falls to the ground before another tree can grow. It is why he started with 12 disciples instead of 12,000. Jesus understood the power of multiplication.

This is a concept that business world and church world are rediscovering. If you ever want to grow at a rate faster than population growth, you must multiply. The church in China and India has experienced this seeing millions of believers were there had previously been thousands. Business has seen it happen with Facebook and Twitter - words we wouldn't have recognized a few short years ago which are now a part of our everyday life. The idea that each individual person can invite others into the process who then in turn invite others is a powerful one.

However, I fear as we try to implement the concept, we are too easily tricked. Whether we are talking about multiplying leaders, customers, churches, or trees, we often miss the key point. Namely, that for multiplication to be multiplication it has to continue past the second generation. The second generation must reproduce.

I think we too often see that 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 4, and we say 'we multiplied four times'. But this is inaccurate. We only added. Multiplication looks like this 1 x 2 x 2 x 2 = 8. We can be easily confused because the early stages look similar, but look what happens if you keep going.

4 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 7
8 x 2 x 2 x 2 = 64

Now we see the difference emerging. So what's my point? If you want to change the world, do something that multiplies. The way to tell if you are multiplying is to look at the 3rd generation and beyond. Don't be fooled by looking only at the generation you started. If that generation doesn't reproduce, you are only adding.

Making Disciples vs Building Church

I've been spending some time reading the Gospels ... and had an interesting thought this morning.

Jesus gives us a clear command to 'go and make disciples' (Matthew 28:19). But, who did He say would build His church? He said 'I will build my church'. (Matthew 16:18)

Maybe we should spend less time worrying about how to do church, and more time worrying about how to make disciples. Seems like Jesus has said 'I'll take care of the church part.'

Just a thought.