The Dunbar Number is
the approximate number of people we can
associate with and still keep some sense of community. I am not
surprised. Often, people’s greatest memories are of churches of 150 or less. I
like groups where we all have a sense of ownership, impact, and dependency on
one another. Maybe you do, too.
This got me to thinking. What is the
Jimbo Number? Okay, I made that up. What I was thinking was the number of activities
in which we can really invest ourselves without being burned out, overextended
or marginally involved with. As an observer of people and families, I see
people in as many as 15 to 20. I suspect we are designed for 4-6. Remember, I
am speaking to activities that really have an impact and ones in which we add
and receive real value. Ones where true community is found.
How many activities are you in? List
them. Prioritize them (are you afraid to do this?) Is doing nothing on the
list? Where is church life? How did family time fair (did I beat out God?)
What did you learn? What, if
anything, will you change?
You did
not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear
fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father
will give you.
John 15:16 (NIV)
image:http://www.englishwithjo.com
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