Comments on: Quality vs. Quantity

By: Ben Sternke

Ben Sternke — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 11:20:40 +0000

Justin and Matt, the implications for ministry are exactly what I had in mind. In the community I lead, we’re trying to cultivate this kind of experimental, “get on with it even if it’s not perfect” culture. It is a learning experience for me, personally, because I tend to be a bit of a perfectionist.
It applies to a number of other areas in my life, too, so I’ve found it an especially challenging quote.

By: Justin

Justin — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 18:58:30 +0000

Simply fantastic. Thanks for posting this. This is precisely what I have seen working in ministry. Too many congregations are filled with lots of people sitting around debating the best way to go about something and fail to accomplish anything, or for that matter even fail at anything. This also reminds me of the debate between quality time vs quantity of time regarding parents and children. Those who spend a lot of time with their children are more likely to have more quality moments with their child because these moments are often surprises that cannot be planned and produced. They just happen.

By: Matt Lehmann

Matt Lehmann — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 14:04:29 +0000

Good point. You left this thought open enough to apply to SO many areas of life. My first inclination was to think about how we are the Church… I wonder if we are so concerned with perfection that people see the Church as irrelevant and inauthentic. Could it really be that “messy spirituality” brings us closer to the heart of God as well as showing an authentic beacon of light to darkness?
I am definitely NOT saying that we shouldn’t study to show ourselves approved by God, be discipled, disciple, or the like. But at some point we need to put down the book, go next door, and meet our neighbor.
And that’s all I have to say about that (in a Forrest Gump voice).