Called2Business Luncheon Featuring Don Curtis
January 16, 2008
Notes from Presentation on Church Growth in North Carolina
· One person views a situation as being problematic, another views the situation as opportunistic – shoe salesman analogy in a 3rd world country
- One shoe salesman looks at the people and sees that no one wears shoes; he makes the decision that he can’t grow his business there.
- The other shoe salesman sees that no one wears shoes, but he sees that the growth potential is huge.
· North Carolina is expecting to grow by four million people over the next 18-20 years (it is equivalent to adding the entire state of South Carolina to our state)
- Greenville / Pitt County will be one of the areas that grows significantly
· There is a huge need for additional churches to be built to meet the needs of these individuals and families
· The local church is a place where hope, encouragement, help is offered to people
· Jesus commanded us “Feed my sheep.”
· This initiative to build more churches, to prepare for the future growth needs to be led by the marketplace or as Don Curtis mentioned “laity.” The clergy or pulpit ministers cannot do this. It will take a team effort.
· Preparation precedes opportunity – we need to prepare now.
· Church growth – pay now or pay later.
· Leadership Institute (North Carolina Academy of Excellence) has been created – it will be housed at 8,000 square feet next to Edenton Street Methodist Church in downtown Raleigh.
- Purpose is to equip men, women, leaders to help in the building of churches, programs, outreach efforts, etc.
- Represents multiple denominations – Mr. Curtis mentioned this issue is not a denominational one.
- Everyone needs to be involved
· Lessons from Noah’s Ark
- It is important that we do not miss the boat
- It is important that we are all in the same boat
- It is important to plan ahead. Remember Noah began building the ark before the storms and rain came.
- Don’t listen to the critics.
- Two heads are better than one.
- Speed is not always the key. The turtle and the snail made it on the boat.
- The woodpeckers inside the boat can be bigger problems than the storm outside the boat.
- The ark was built by amateurs. The Titanic was built by professionals.
Key Take Away Items
· We are all ministers. God calls us to impact and influence the spheres of influence where He places us to take the kingdom of God with us.
· We are to walk in integrity, conduct business with excellence, walk in love, and be lights. We need to walk the talk. We have an opportunity to impact lives and point them to Christ.
· The local church needs to be prepared for the anticipated growth that is coming to NC. We as individual ministers (marketplace and pulpit) need to be prepared as well.
· Preparation for this growth is critical. How will we respond?