This idea is borrowed from an old, now unidentified source. It still works well as a learning center.

Create a “stick of dynamite for each myth (a toilet paper tube or rolled up piece
of poster board works well when decorated in red or orange paper and given a pipe cleaner
“fuse”). Tape or glue the “Myth” to the outside of the tube. Roll up
the corresponding “Reality” and place in the tube. Make a poster with
instructions to “Read and explode the myths by, exploring the realities.” Set up
a basket box or spot where the “dynamite” myths can be displayed.

Myths and Realities follow:

Myth #1

Caring for the members of the church is our primary mission.

Reality #1

“The purpose of the church is to win the world to faith in God through Jesus Christ.
The purpose of the pastor is to equip people to build up the Body of Christ. The purpose
of laity is to pass on to others the new life God has given them. The goal is never simply
to ‘run the church,’ no matter what size the church may be. (Easum, Dancing with
Dinosaurs, p.19)

Myth #2

Pastoral visitation is the key to reaching new people.

Reality #2

“North America is moving from a society dominated by clerics to a society where the
laity dominate the church… In the emerging world the marginalization of the laity will
end, and the role of ordained clergy will disappear. The priesthood of the believer will
emerge as the dominant force in congregations. Clergy will equip laity to live out their
roles as priests.” (Easum, Dancing with Dinosaurs, p.25)

Myth #3

We need to get back to what worked in our church when we were strong.

Reality #3

We are, “…moving from a churched to an unchurched society. North America is
becoming the new mission field… the new emerging world will become increasingly
anti-Christian….” (Easum, Dancing with Dinosaurs, p.25) An unchurched mission field
demands the Good News of Christ be carried by very different vehicles, than does a
friendly and welcoming churched society.

Myth #4

What we need is to convince people to join the church.

Reality #4

In the changing world, “instead of trusting institutions people are bonding with
groups of people who provide the kind of relationships that meet their individual needs…
Small, groups will become the primary form of socializing. People will trust individuals
more than systems of thought or institutions.” (Easum, Dancing with Dinosaurs,
p.28-9) Small groups and one-on-one outreach will become primary tools for communities of
faith.

Myth #5

Small groups are another program ministry of the church.

Reality #5

The further we travel into the changes between ‘what was’ and ‘what is unfolding’
“the less effective program-based congregations become and the more effective small
group-based congregations become.” (Easum, Dancing with Dinosaurs, p.58) Small groups
are not a program, but a New Testament way of organizing and being the Body of Christ.

Myth #6 

Pastors give and lay people receive, most of the time. For instance members come to church
to get their “batteries charged.”

Reality #6

“In small group-based congregations, the pastor equips and lay people give.”
(Dinosaurs, p.60) And worship is to praise God, to celebrate, to give of ourselves. (When
giving and praise charge your batteries then you have a double blessing!)

Myth #7

Cells only work in large congregations.

Reality #7

Cells work in all size congregations. “Size is not the issue. high quality care of
people is the issue.” (Dinosaurs,p.68)

An Alternative method is to put numbers on the sticks of
dynamite, making them reusable for additional myths and realities or another project. For
this use the following instructions:

Read the Myths on this poster

Find the “DYNAMITE” with the corresponding number and explode the myth by
reading the corresponding reality tucked inside the dynamite.

All Realities are recorded in Bill Easum’s, Dancing with Dinosaurs.

Watch for more myths in future weeks…

Myth #1

Caring for the members of the church is our primary mission.

Myth #2

Pastoral visitation is the key to reaching new people.

Myth #3

We need to get back to what worked in our church when we were strong.

Myth #4

What we need is to convince people to join the church.

Myth #5

Small groups are another program ministry of the church.

Myth #6 

Pastors give and lay people receive, most of the time. For instance members come to church
to get their “batteries charged.”

Myth #7

Cells only work in large congregations.

Reality #1

“The purpose of the church is to win the world to faith in God through Jesus Christ.
The purpose of the pastor is to equip people to build up the Body of Christ. The purpose
of laity is to pass on to others the new life God has given them. The goal is never simply
to ‘run the church,’ no matter what size the church may be. (Easum, Dancing with
Dinosaurs, p.19)

Reality #2

“North America is moving from a society dominated by clerics to a society where the
laity dominate the church… In the emerging world the marginalization of the laity will
end, and the role of ordained clergy will disappear. The priesthood of the believer will
emerge as the dominant force in congregations. Clergy will equip laity to live out their
roles as priests.” (Easum, Dancing with Dinosaurs, p.25)

Reality #3

We are, “…moving from a churched to an unchurched society. North America is
becoming the new mission field… the new emerging world will become increasingly
anti-Christian….” (Easum, Dancing with Dinosaurs, p.25) An unchurched mission field
demands the Good News of Christ be carried by very different vehicles, than does a
friendly and welcoming churched society.

Reality #4

In the changing world, “instead of trusting institutions people are bonding with
groups of people who provide the kind of relationships that meet their individual needs…
Small, groups will become the primary form of socializing. People will trust individuals
more than systems of thought or institutions.” (Easum, Dancing with Dinosaurs,
p.28-9) Small groups and one-on-one outreach will become primary tools for communities of
faith.

Reality #5

The further we travel into the changes between ‘what was’ and ‘what is unfolding’
“the less effective program-based congregations become and the more effective small
group-based congregations become.” (Easum, Dancing with Dinosaurs, p.58) Small groups
are not a program, but a New Testament way of organizing and being the Body of Christ.

Reality #6

“In small group-based congregations, the pastor equips and lay people give.”
(Dinosaurs, p.60) And worship is to praise God, to celebrate, to give of ourselves. (When
giving and praise charge your batteries then you have a double blessing!)

Reality #7

Cells work in all size congregations. “Size is not the issue. high quality care of
people is the issue.” (Dinosaurs,p.68)