There are two things that most church growth experts will tell you in seminars to stay away from if you want to “grow your church” and reach unchurched people:
•The cross of Christ: As it singlehandedly destroys humanity’s two primary “felt needs”: “Self-sufficiency” and “Self-esteem”.
• “Self-sufficiency”: The cross says that we can never be good enough or do enough to save ourselves. Furthermore the cross of Christ destroys the notion that I can ever improve on this condition enough or do better next time.
“Self-esteem”: The cross says that we along with all of humanity are NOT “basically good”. At the same time the cross tells us that there will be “personal accountability” and “judgment” for our actions. Our entire personal value system is destroyed by the cross of Christ. It is the most radical truth ever put forth to humanity and it destroys every other philosophy held by mankind.
The denial of self: The concept and notion that this life is NOT primarily about me! That I’ve been created for a purpose that can only find its fulfillment in living life diametrically opposed to how most in this world live it.
Apparently Jesus didn’t attend church growth seminars directed at staying away from these two topics as He in back to back messages tackles them both. As noted, this chapter is the midpoint of the gospel, the first half of which has been Mark revealing to his Roman readers Jesus’ true identity, “The Son of God”.