(If you're dropping by for the first time, I'd encourage you to read the first two of this series here and here.)
Let me just cut to it. Some churches don't have a clue to their purpose or mission. They just do what they do because they've always done it that way. Yet they are spinning their wheels and going nowhere; doing nothing to impact their culture and community; and likely are dying a slow death. And if someone (usually someone newer or someone who has experienced his/her own revival) suggests something to jump start the battery they're stonewalled.
Yet across town is a church that is healthy, growing and has a great vision to reach and touch their community. Should you stick with the sick, status quo crowd sinking fast, or jump ship?
Many churches like the ones described above actually began with great enthusiasm and with passion for the Great Commission. But for whatever reasons, that is hard to sustain. Christians get lazy. Congregations become ingrown and forget they are to be a shining city on a hill. And before long, the original mission is forgotten and replaced with something far inferior.
Can those churches be awakened and revived? Absolutely! But there has to be leadership willing to pay the price and willing to let the old satisfied and apathetic "It's all about me" crowd leave. And that rarely happens.
So if a Christian is in a church that has lost its way and is in decline and time has proven it won't take drastic measures to turn the ship around, I would say that Christian should, with much prayer and Spirit led guidance, find a new church. Life's too short and eternity too long to sit around twiddling our thumbs and ignoring the malaise around us.
I also believe that God lets such churches fade away. But He always replaces them with churches willing to be all they can be and rock their world. And if there is no church like that in your community? Then ask God if He will let you start one.
Please just don't tell me when you check out our church that at your church you're "not being fed".
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16 comments:
I think this applies to more than Christianity. As a Jew, I see the membership in our synagogue dwindling. Some of it is a result of people moving or passing away, but a lack of direction-well that simply causes Jews to become unaffiliated. Thank you for giving me something to think about. Maybe as a younger (age 45) member I can help turn things around.
Thanks,
Deb (yes a Jew who readys your Blog!)
You're right.
If a church or synagogue says, "Our people are dying", guess what, people are being born every day to replace their spots on earth.
There are some areas where the population is declining due to economics, etc. But in Christianity, where we're told to go out and make disciples, unless the community becomes a ghost town, if there are unchurched people present, the church should be growing.
Why does the whole "i'm not being fed at my church" thing bother you? Is it b/c it seems to show that the person is being selfish (only thinking about themselves, and expecting others to "feed" them) or is there another reason?
Once I was a deacon in a dying church. Ever feel like you are beating your head against a brick wall?
And I totally agree with the "not being fed line". I could maybe understand if someone said, "I'm not being equipped".
I so agree with the whole "not being fed" thing. I firmly believe that I am responsible for my own spiritual growth, not the church.
When people say that, I often wonder if they are experiencing a dry time, like those we all do, and are not willing to to the work it takes to persevere and make the changes or learn the lessons that God is desiring to teach them.
I know I've been there.
Rhea,
Pretty much what you said.
And what Kim said, too!
Not what I was expecting from the subject (church hop). Very touching, in a very personal way.
I too am not happy with the "not being fed" statement. Kim said it well. To build on what Andy said (perhaps just a paraphrase), the leadership should help us/equip us to be self-feeders.
Tagging on that thought, if the leadership (read that as "pastors, teachers") isn't teaching the church how to feed on the Word themselves, that's a legitimate concern.
But don't leave out the mystical part of this as well. Jesus said the Holy Spirit is given to us for that purpose, too. So there has to be an openness to His work in our hearts if we're going to be able to feed ourselves.
My 2 cents on the "being fed" thing- we have a local church (God Bless them) and they are truly drawing large crowds- but you reach a certain point and the growth stops. MANY people leave that church looking for something deeper, with like minded people who want to know more- not just maintain the status quo oof surface Christianity. We jokingly call it the "starter church"- we don't mean it disrespectfully, just that they are good with getting people in they just don't really have a plan for what to do after that.
So, I think that might be part of the problem- it is like staying in kindergarten until you are 30 years old-- there will still be something to gain if you put the effort in, but maybe not to the level you would like/need to see.
I think "equipped" is a great phrase for it- if you have an entire congregation and leadership of baby Christians or stagnant Christians you aren't going to be able to mentor people into the "next level".
I think the phrase is over-used and I do think many people are just lazy about getting and not putting in their own effort but I also think that you can only teach as much as you know and sometimes our churches are too short sighted to see that.
ADDING- "our churches" at the end sounded insulting when I re-read it. I certainly don't mean to imply your church- or even churches that are appealing to large audiences of new Christians. It just seems like there are more and more new churches that don't have a long term plan and don't have a mature base with which to mentor people forward in their spiritual walk.
@jessica,
Great points!
Willow Creek Church just came to an eye-opening awareness of exactly what you are saying, and they have radically sought to re-work their "strategy" so that their church can continue to mature.
We have a discipleship strategy at NHC that seeks to help move Christians along in their growth.
The big problem I have seen is that those who complain about "not being fed" are trying to eat a weeks worth in one sitting (at the pastor's "feet").
The other problem I have seen is that those who seek something "deeper" tend to turn inward, focus on their own needs and never ever win one non-believer to Christ.
Have you ever noticed that it's new believers who bring others to faith? But when they "mature" all of a sudden they lose their zeal for sharing Christ with those who don't yet know Him.
Ouch.
I do think there is a turning point for most Christians where you are just mature enough that you have to decide where you are going to "go"- and unfortunately, it does seem that most people turn inward and have an attitude that they have to work on their own flaws and sins before they can be effective to others.
Which is ridiculous of course!
I have just seen SUCH an increase of people who come from these churches and they desire to serve and grow, but they don't know where or how to find their place. I think this is esp. true in very large churches (which I go to- not knocking them- just one of the dangers).
I think another problem we see a lot here is Christians who engage in ministry-hopping. They do have a desire to reach the lost but when they don't see an immediate payoff they give up and move on- usually saying God is calling them to another area of service.
Rocking babies in the nursery or running things through a postal meter may not seem like they are important to the kingdom, but they are- we are all pieces of the puzzle and jobs like that done for the Glory of God can have a huge impact.
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Sorry this is long, but another thing I have thought a lot about was the fact that the more we "mature" the less and less contact we have with non-Christians. Those that are new to the faith usually have a large pool of people they are excited to share with.
I know having strong Christian friends are practically essential to us (and it is important), but I think this also is a selfish attitude to have- we are more worried about building a support system for ourselves than fostering relationships with people who might need us more.
Just an interesting thought I had while reading your comment!
@jessicab,
You're right about as we mature as Christians we tend to lose contact with those who are not...
Our example is Jesus who hung out with those His culture considered unrighteous. That means that as a maturing Christian, if I'm to be like Christ I have to intentionally find ways to interact with non-believers.
Church relationship are great! But our mission is to show love and grace to those still on the outside. That's why Jesus commanded us to "Go". We instead, want to "Stay".
It appears to be a fact that no matter how large the congregation, about twenty people seem to be involved in the organisation of it and everybody else is just a bottom on a seat. I know that is true of the larger churches I preach at, as well as the smaller.... you get about the same number of people really involved and a larger or smaller number of people who attend Sunday worship and that is the limit.
@ mrsredboots,
I would agree that the 20/80% rule is typical. But it shouldn't be, nor does it have to be.
Healthy churches have a far greater % of their members involved in ministry and mission.
And the size of a church is not necessarily an indication of its health.
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