Hitting the target, missing the mark

http://www.sydneyanglicans.net/mission/missionthinking/hitting_the_target_missing_the_mark/

[sydneyanglicans.net] 27 May 2008--All of the church growth books and our own instincts tell us that we must understand the community that we seek to serve and confront with the gospel. This means that, more and more, we seek out and rely upon the statistics that present a picture of our area.

Demographic statistics are a great resource in our task, as where people live and with whom they interact is not accidental. God has placed everyone where they are, so that they may reach out and find salvation (Acts 17:26-27). Since it is God who draws people to salvation, it falls to us to ensure that we do not cause those He has called to be hindered in responding. That’s why Paul says “he has become all things to all men so that by all means some might be saved”. Statistics can be a great help in removing hindrances.