Wednesday, October 1, 2014

When Churches Don't Fit Right



            These pants are too big! We seldom struggle with this problem. The bathroom scales and our middle-aged girth speak otherwise. Yet many congregations suffer from  “oversized syndrome.” Their programs, ministries, and organizational structure are simply too big for the size of the church.
            While this syndrome affects mostly small churches, it can impact any size congregation and can keep the church from moving forward in its ministry. While structures usually change as a church grows, many churches—especially declining churches—face the danger of structures, programs, and ministries that may not fit the congregation’s size. No longer do the structures serve the congregation (and the larger community around it), but the congregation serves the structures and may become enslaved to them.
            How can a congregation tell if its structures, ministries, and programs are too big? The following factors provide some insight.
1)    BYLAWS SLAVERY:  Bylaws dictate the organizational structure of most churches. When working properly, they provide a guide to help the church set up its boards and committees. Unfortunately, many churches are structured by bylaws written many years ago, especially during a period of rapid growth in their earlier days. This results in “filling positions” to meet the demands of the bylaws rather than performing ministry. Churches (especially smaller ones) would be served better by fewer leaders with a passion for ministry rather than those meeting a bylaws requirement. Smaller churches would benefit, as well, by considering the possibility of becoming a single board church in which the leadership can work together.
2)    THE MUMMIFICATION OF MINISTRIES AND PROGRAMS:  In ancient Egypt, pharaohs were preserved as mummies to keep their memory alive, though the pharaoh was dead. While great efforts took place to preserve their bodies, the meticulous mummification process could not bring the pharaohs back to life. Unfortunately, many congregations suffer from the “mummification” of their ministries and programs by keeping alive something that died years ago. The church doggedly plans the event or ministry for another year, though interest has waned and the community couldn’t care less. Too many ministries hang on and add unnecessary burdens on the church. Perhaps, churches would benefit from the theme of the Disney movie, Frozen and “Let It Go!”
3)    THE GLUTTONY FACTOR:  The “More is better” philosophy permeates many congregations overstuffed with activity. Too much activity and too few people lead to burnout. Sometimes a congregation falls into the trap of believing if more programs are added, it can become like that big church down the street. But larger churches can also fall into the trap of “program-itis” by spreading themselves so thin that they lose their effectiveness. The difficulty lies in churches that also suffer from the “mummification” factor, resulting in program overload. Churches would benefit greatly if they learned to say “no” to some things.
One cannot underestimate the importance of church growth and a congregation that is committed to the Great Commission of making disciples (Matthew 28:18-20). As a church grows, programs and ministries often expand, as well as its leadership and organizational structure. But such structures should never outpace the growth of the congregation and will need to adapt as the church changes.
Likewise, in declining congregations, structures and programs can often be a deterrent by maintaining a status quo of the way things used to be rather than focusing on the current reality of decline. If such churches desire to see a turnaround, then structures, programs, and ministries will need to align with the current situation. From there, the church can begin to cast a new vision in making disciples of Jesus Christ.

Churches, large and small, need to approach their ministry much the same way as one approaches going to the clothing store. If the pants are too tight, get a bigger pair. If they are too large, get a pair that fits. If more churches would consider this principle in their ministry, perhaps Holy Spirit led disciple making would become a reality.

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Moving Forward: Opportunity or Obstacle?


            “We’ve always done it that way!” How often do we hear these words within the walls of the church?   Moving forward creates difficulty for many congregations who find it much easier to remain in one place or to step backwards to a familiar place of yesteryear.
            How does a congregation move forward?  In Numbers 13-14:9, the Israelites struggled with the same question as they wandered in the wilderness and came to the doorstep of the Promised Land. The passage outlines several important factors needed for a congregation to move forward.
            FACTOR #1: EVALUATE WHO THE LEADERS ARE (Numbers 13:1-16).  Without leadership, a congregation will not likely move forward.  Before the exploration of the land and the development of a strategy to enter the land, a team of leaders representing the various tribes gathered to begin the process.  A congregation would do well to identify and evaluate its leaders before moving forward.  A leader may participate in a governing board, but often someone else has a great deal of influence in the congregation regardless of his or her function.
            FACTOR #2: EXAMINE THE LANDSCAPE (Numbers 13:17-24).  Moving forward requires an understanding of the landscape or ministry setting.  When the spies entered the land, they thoroughly examined the land God had promised and the people who lived there.  Likewise, congregations need to understand their own communities and to understand the opportunities and obstacles that await them.  A congregation may find it helpful to have an outside “set of eyes” such as a consultant to assist in this process.
            FACTOR #3: EXPLAIN TO THE CONGREGATION THE OPPORTUNITIES AND OBSTACLES (Numbers 13:25-29).  The report brought back to the Israelites spoke of the fruit and fertility of the land but also spoke of some of the threats.  Moving forward requires an honest look at the landscape that must be communicated with the congregation.  Churches often fail either by moving forward without looking at the obstacles (with the result that they are not prepared) or by being so focused on the obstacles they do not move forward. 
            FACTOR #4: EMBRACE THE VISION OF GOD’S PROMISES (Numbers 13:30). In the midst of much discussion, Caleb knew God would lead His people into the land.  While open communication is important, in order to move forward, a congregation must move beyond the “talking phase” and embrace God’s vision for the church.
            FACTOR #5: EXPECT OPPOSITION (Numbers 13:31-14:4).  Opposition begins with a “We can’t” attitude that really means, “We won’t” and begins the process of disobedience and unbelief in God’s promises.  Opposition continued to grow into grumbling, which in the Hebrew text suggests the people became set in their ways. Opposition continued to grow into a desire to turn back, and culminated in outright rebellion with the Israelites demanding their leaders be replaced.  Whenever a congregation moves forward, expect opposition.
            FACTOR #6: ENERGIZE THE VISION BY STAYING FOCUSED ON GOD (Numbers 14:5-9). While the opposition continued, Moses, Aaron, Joshua, and Caleb stayed focused on God and His promises with prayerful humility, sorrow and conviction.  Moving forward centers itself in the fact that God will faithfully lead his church through the opportunities and obstacles.
            Moving forward may mean a difficult road to follow and the Israelites showed how fear, anxiety, and outright rebellion could thwart a congregation. Yet overcoming these obstacles and with the Lord’s leading, the Israelites entered into the Promised Land and celebrated God’s blessings.  The rebellion of Numbers 14 eventually turns into the victory of Joshua 3-4!  Congregations need not remain in a state of decline or stagnation, but can move forward empowered by the Lord who leads His people.