Ministry of Redundancy
Donald McGavran was one of the most influential missiologists of the twentieth century. He was a paradigm breaker and a paradigm shaper. He called the Church from one model to a new way of thinking about making disciples of all nations. While a doctoral student, I read most of his books and many of his articles.McGavran often repeated himself in his writings. This practice was frustrating. For me, once was enough. I would read one article and then another, only to encounter similar concepts, definitions, and phrases. He was redundant.I would eventually come to understand that his redundancy was both intentional and necessary. If you are attempting to lead people away from one way of thinking and into a new direction, then repetition is a must. One saying or writing is not sufficient for systemic change. People usually do not give up a long-standing, familiar paradigm upon reading of a new one.A difference is often made over time and through repeating yourself. This is not fun. One time should be enough, right? I do not like the ministry of redundancy, but we need to embrace it over and over again.----------