Church Planting Falls Somewhere Between a Puzzle and a Mystery

In his new book, Malcolm Gladwell talks about the difference between a puzzle and a mystery.

Puzzles require keys that need to be discovered; whereas mysteries require judgments based on vague uncertainties.

Puzzles give us too little information. Mysteries give us too much.

To the young struggling ministry couple in the field, church planting can feel like an elusive mystery.

To the big shot pastor who blew up a town on his first try, church planting feels like an easy puzzle.

I'm pretty sure both are wrong.

This is why I wrote Church in the Making.

There's a hidden "back story" that explains why new churches either flounder or flourish.

Comments

[Jamie Limato]

Thank you for this word of encouragement. Often times the tension between mystery and puzzle can be unnerving. Keep blazing trails.

[michael bayne]

Ben, that is so true, excited about hearing your insight in the book

[tony sheng]

i loved that chapter. but i really want to hear what you think of the power law and how it relates to church planting and leadership.