Local Max, Big Max and The Church

Check out Seth Godin's post today about Understanding Local Max.

It really made me think about the early church and how quickly they reached their Local Max. Then they reached a critical juncture as the church grew (Step B) and eventually as the church faced persecution (Step C). However it was through that persecution that the church began to go global (Step D) and eventually reach the Big Max.

Obviously I have simplified this a bit and certainly the "maxing out of the church" is related to God's power not the power of man. However, I believe that there is a lesson here for the church. A lesson that speaks to the importance of perseverance and that "going back" may seem safer and wiser and yield quicker results, (since you once again hit the Local Max), but it is actually taking you further away from the Big Max and where God is leading! The "C step" in ministry can be tough, yet we must remain faithful and stay our God given course.

Remember what looked like certain destruction for the early church actually became a launching point!

Comments

[Luke Bodley]

cool! i love seth godin. Whhat a great thinker to have have rub off on you!

-Luke

[Scott Hamilton]

He nailed at the end. The cycle never ends. It only increases in amplitude as the general trend is upward. Which means the more successful an organization is the more painful the C point. The further you journey down the chart the greater the amplitude discrepancy between local max and C. Even though you are becoming more successful, each cycle becomes increasingly more painful. The stronger your resolve the further you travel. When you hear, “We can’t do this. It’ll kill us.” You’ve reach the growth ceiling.

Resolve=Distance=Success