Discussion Jumpstarter
Study leader reference - not a definitive answer
Question 6
The speaker claims growth “exposes how we’re truly getting along,” and later says the next generation often leaves because of “people fighting or not getting along”—what conflicts or relational fractures become visible only once a church starts growing, and how should a community handle them without halting growth or pretending the problems don’t exist?
Another way to ask: What problems between people only show up once a church starts growing? How can the church face those conflicts honestly without stopping growth or pretending everything is fine?
Discussion Jumpstarter
Direct Answer
According to the speaker, growth reveals both strengths and weaknesses: as a church expands, hidden relational problems surface, especially conflict and poor unity, which can drive the next generation away. The implied response is to face those exposed issues with maturity and love for people, rather than freezing growth or masking division.
- He states plainly: “growth… exposes how we’re truly getting along,” revealing “those weaknesses and the strengths.”
- He connects it to youth retention: the next generation leaves because of “people fighting or not getting along with one another,” which he even calls “probably the number one reason.”
- He says growth brings new relationships that test maturity: “different families… different backgrounds,” and we must handle that.
- He frames the choice: growth will “either break us or mature us,” implying conflict is a maturity moment.
- He adds a leadership lens: those who love “their vision” over people “wonder why people leave,” implying relational care is central to handling conflict.