It Might Cost You a Crowd

This week, Avenue is preparing for its last Intersection. Once a quarter, we have gathered all of our Pathway Groups (microchurches) together for a larger worship service. We’ve been doing this for about four years now, but this weekend will be the last time we gather under this branding and in this way.

Some people are confused about why we would choose to end an event that has filled the room and brought together a pretty large group of people. As leaders of Avenue, we have prayerfully discussed and reflected on the purpose of this event. Yes, the name Intersection has attracted a crowd. But if we’re honest, the event has often drawn a large majority of people who are just looking for something to do on a Saturday afternoon.

Now, you might be wondering: is that a bad thing? At least they’re in the room, right? Our decision comes down to what matters most and how we’re putting our energy into it. As a church, we are serious about the Great Commission: to make disciples (Matthew 28:19–20). Everything we do must make disciples.

At our quarterly Intersections, we’ve started to see that these events haven’t served the purpose of equipping people to live out their God-given potential and sending them out to live missionally (Ephesians 4:11–12). Mostly, Intersection has been an event that meets the needs of spiritual consumers just enough to make them feel okay, but not enough to push them outside their comfort zone.

That’s why we’re directing people to our weekly Wednesday Prayer and Praise nights. Being there takes more commitment and sacrifice. Meeting every week has also built a real community around the night, and it has been a time of activating people’s spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:4–7) and releasing their God-given potential.

I think of Jesus, who attracted a great following when he fed the five thousand (John 6:1–13). People began to say, “Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world” (John 6:14). But Jesus withdrew (John 6:15), even as the crowds kept searching for him (John 6:24–26). He knew their hearts. They would follow him as long as it was convenient for them. As soon as Jesus gave a harder teaching, one that would change the course of their lives, many of them turned back and no longer followed him (John 6:60–66).

It’s easy to attract a crowd. It’s much harder to make committed, wholehearted disciples of Jesus who will go on to make other disciples (2 Timothy 2:2). As church leaders, we have a responsibility to give people not what they want, but what they need, so that we see the Kingdom of God here on earth (Matthew 6:10). It might cost you a crowd. But in the long run, I’m convinced you’ll see greater impact through a multiplying movement.