051: Exploring Growth Track & Why It Can Be Damaging to the Church

Sep 17, 2024

Dive into a thought-provoking discussion about the Growth Track model and its potentially damaging effects on genuine discipleship. Examine the contrast between early church practices and today's megachurch culture. The hosts explore the dangers of prioritizing institutional growth over authentic relationships within the church. They critique standardized assessments and the role of personality tests in spiritual growth, advocating for a return to meaningful community engagement and servanthood in leadership. It's a compelling call for reform in modern church practices!

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Intro

00:00 • 2min

The Impact of Narcissistic Church Systems on Community Outreach

01:56 • 2min

Leadership and Structure in the Early Church

04:03 • 4min

Reevaluating Growth Track in Church Culture

08:20 • 22min

Reevaluating Church Membership: The Call for Meaningful Involvement

30:41 • 3min

The Growth Track Dilemma

33:41 • 11min

Redefining Church Engagement

44:46 • 21min

The Pitfalls of Personality Assessments in Faith

01:06:14 • 19min

Critique of Standardized Church Growth Models

01:24:54 • 5min

The Challenges of Church Planting

01:30:17 • 7min

Reimagining Church Leadership

01:37:44 • 30min

In this episode of the Church Disrupted podcast, Jeff Cochran, Abby Fleming, and Buck Fleming delve into a controversial church system that is extremely popular today but can also be extremely damaging. They dive deep into the Growth Track model, discussing its implications for discipleship and community involvement, and emphasize the need for reform in church practices to prioritize genuine discipleship over assimilation into church systems. The conversation also explores the historical context of early church practices and the balance between the business side of church and its spiritual mission.Want to support SAI financially?https://donorbox.org/sai-initial-funding-campaignTHANK YOU to our podcast partner, the East TN Mentorship Association! Find out more information about what they do or connect with them at https://earnyoursanctuary.com/ . TELL THEM WE SENT YOU for a special rate that is ONLY for Church Disrupted Podcast listeners.Find out more about the Spiritual Abuse Institute and the Church Disrupted Podcast at https://www.spiritualabuse.institute/.Join the church disrupted COMMUNITY here: https://discord.gg/nbWwg8Sz6ZPlease Subscribe and Share!Chapters00:00 Introduction to Controversial Church Systems03:06 Narcissistic Church Systems and Their Impact06:10 Historical Context of Early Church Practices09:00 Critique of Growth Track Systems11:51 The Dangers of Assimilation in Church15:13 The Role of Systems in Church Growth18:02 The Balance Between Business and Ministry20:53 The Need for Reform in Church Systems24:06 Understanding Membership and Purpose26:52 The Factory Model of Church Involvement30:07 The Call to Discipleship vs. Assimilation32:48 The Importance of Individual Purpose36:05 The Role of Community in Church38:56 The Dangers of Manipulation in Church Systems41:51 Conclusion: The Future of Church Systems01:04:00 Being the Church in Everyday Life01:07:51 Discovering Purpose and Design01:10:42 The Limitations of Personality Assessments01:13:31 The Role of Spiritual Gifts01:16:10 Scriptural Integrity and Context01:19:24 The Danger of Self-Righteousness01:22:43 Simplifying the Spiritual Journey01:25:14 The Problem with Church Systems01:28:03 The Call to Authentic Church Planting01:31:20 The Burden of Professional Christianity01:34:11 Reforming Church Systems01:37:34 The Messiness of Ministry01:40:52 The True Meaning of Leadership01:43:10 The Leadership Honor Code01:46:59 The Issue of Giving in the Church01:51:18 The Pursuit of Excellence vs. Anointing01:54:10 The Need for Reform in the Church