"An Inch Wide and a Mile Deep"

(423 Men functions at a high level only to the degree that men are committed to the welfare of other men in the program. Make your weekly calls, develop strong friendships, be there for each other, share your stories, and above all, be real. 423 Leaders... you especially are called upon to invest yourselves in the lives of men and ‘go deep’ with the members of your 423 groups.)

2nd Corinthians 10.15b – 16a NIV

“Our hope is that, as your faith continues to grow, our area of activity among you will greatly expand, so that we can preach the gospel in the regions beyond you.”

Paul’s strategy for advancing the Kingdom of God was simple… go deep! His relationship with the Corinthian church involved multiple visitations and ample correspondence. He expected measurable spiritual growth to accompany conversions. Shallow professions of faith were not part of the Apostle’s evangelistic strategy.

Paul’s advise to younger pastors like Timothy or Titus may be paraphrased, “Go deep young man”. Timothy and Titus followed up Paul’s ministry by nurturing the churches he planted in Ephesus and Crete. Converts developed spiritually before he moved to the next place of ministry. In fact, their growth in the faith was a prerequisite before Paul could “preach the gospel in the regions beyond”...

“Our hope is that, as your faith continues to grow,

our area of activity among you will greatly expand, so that

we can preach the gospel in the regions beyond you.”
2nd Corinthians 10.15b – 16a NIV

People matter to God. He will not entrust a pastoral ministry with more until it’s leadership prove faithful on behalf of the ones He already sent.

“Whoever can be trusted with very little

can also be trusted with much”.

Luke 16.10a NIV

Conversions as another ‘notch in the pastor’s gun-slinging Bible’. He cannot ‘love ‘em and leave ‘em’. Don’t go ‘a mile wide and an inch deep’. Do exactly the opposite. Go ‘an inch wide and a mile deep’. Love and nurture the people God has given you. Pray that by virtue of your leadership activity among them their “ faith continues to grow” and that your influence “will greatly increase”.

Go deep with those under your charge to ensure their faith “continues to grow” so that you may soon go wide and “preach the gospel in regions beyond”.
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The wonderful painting of the man swimming deep perfectly and graphically describes my thoughts in this post. Artist Ramone Romero graciously gave me permission to post his work here. You may view his amazing art at http://art-for-jesus.blogspot.com/.