How to revitalize a declining church. This is a common concern. It speaks to the love for your church and the Lord Jesus. Yet the answer might not be what you expect.
Churches weaken and shrink for many reasons. It might be easy to overlook that it is happening until there is a problem with the budget, finding volunteers, etc. Yet if one looks deeper, there are other symptoms that may be found: the purpose is blurred, member involvement in ministry is low, programs are eliminated, morale is weak and there may even be some conflict.
So with so many symptoms and very real issues surfacing, where does one even start to make healthy changes?
You won’t be surprised to hear that the first thing to prioritize is boldly proclaiming sin and grace through Jesus Christ. He is the Lord of the Church and the source of forgiveness and strength to live a new life, even a new life for your church. He alone can help a church confess their sins and shift their assumptions, habits and behaviors to live a new chapter of life together.
After that it is a matter of being like minded (Rom 12:10; Phil 2:2-4; Col 3:12-14 and others) in loving one another and by God’s grace living selflessly. This likely involves addressing some intentional shifts in mindsets, assumptions, behaviors and routines which may seem unfamiliar:
- Away from an I’ll just do it myself routine (few in charge) to a more intentional practice of apprentice, discipling or empowering others (many engaged in a serving pathway).
- Away from an internal focus (just for your church) to more of an external focus (for those not yet in church or even not yet in the faith).
- Away from a consumer (what I want) to a servant mentality (how may I bless others).
- Surprisingly much less of attractional (how can we get them to come to us) through our programs or service, to an incarnational (we go to them) ministry.
- Finally, less of a group or crowd mentality (design a class, program, event) to a customized, one at a time, interpersonal mentality.
Each of those shifts involve practical to-do items and even some to-don’t-do items. These and other shifts can be depicted with a Venn Diagram of three intersecting circles which represent three important elements for revitalization. Over the next few months we will review those and many other things. If you would like to talk through these things and explore how we may customize something for you, reach out to us. We look forward to being of service.
Rev. Scott Gress is believes in Growing People for Ministry by focussing on leadership, discipleship and teamwork. Contact Scott if you are interested in him working with you or your church. A free 30 minutes sample session is available to explore how you might work best together. The Coaching Leader Podcast is also available on iTunes and his YouTube page. You can contact Scott through email scottgress@me.com or his blog page scottgress.com or at 561-542-4472
Growing People for Ministry" Leadership + Discipleship + Teamwork