Islam Quote by Jesse C Middendorf
““Sit with this painful comparison for a moment. In a predominantly Muslim country, a brand-new church pioneered a kingdom work that saw thousands of new churches organized in two decades. Meanwhile, in a country where religious freedoms are legally protected, many denominations—with thousands of paid clergy, vast resources, hundreds of thousands of members, and beautiful buildings—saw a decline in their numbers across the board. It’s a bit like being an unsuccessful lifetime golfer and watching video of a five-year-old child hit a hole-in-one. You’ve worked your whole life and have never achieved what someone just starting out has already achieved.””
About This Quote
Source Sermon: “The Paradox of Growth” by Jesse C Middendorf, 2019
Comparing religious growth in restrictive vs. free environments reveals that success isn’t solely tied to resources.
In simple terms: Success isn’t just about resources; context matters.
Key Takeaway
Assess context, not just numbers.
Themes
faith
comparison
growth
humility
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
theological
motivational
When to use this quote
- church planting
- resource allocation
- mission strategy
- personal ambition
Key Concepts
sociology
theology
statistics
Questions to Reflect On
- What truly measures spiritual health?
- How can limited resources foster innovation?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on numbers can overlook qualitative impact.
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