Here’s a fascinating article about a Methodist congregation in a town of 23,000 that has made some changes and, as a result, experienced dramatic growth. Their worship attendance has doubled from 300 to over 600.
Here’s what they credit their growth to —
1. We dreamed a new dream,
2. We determined our niche.
3. We renewed our worship.
4. We emphasized evangelism.
5. We connected people to small groups.
6. We ministered to our community.
7. We organized for results.
Read the brief article for more details on how each step was implemented and the resistance the leadership had to overcome from their own congregation.
So here’s my first question: If a 200-year old Methodist Church in a town of 23,000 can make a few changes and experience dramatic growth, will the same thing work for our churches?
Now here’s the question for bonus credit: From reading the article, can you discern other steps the church took to be successful that aren’t part of their list?
One significant thing they did was to reframe evangelist as inviting and welcoming. We have recently begun the Church Steps program (Matt Dabbs, Kingdom Living) and the first two steps are invite and welcome. Ministry in the community is also important. All that stands in our way is our intransigence and frequent fear of changing even small things lest we somehow offend some long time member.
This is a great article and would offer a wonderful path forward for moderate and progressive Churches of Christ. One caveat I see is that Lebanon is hardly a small city of 23, 000. It is the county seat of Wilson County, a bedroom county in the Nashville metro area. As such the church is likely drawing from well beyond the city of Lebanon. Results for churches in non-metropolitan areas might be more modest but this approach would still seem to be promising. Note how they purposely cultivate a mainline Protestant identity and not an Evangelical identity. So many moderate and progressive Churches of Christ have enthusiastically jumped on the Evangelical bandwagon but I believe the verdict is still out on how that will work out in the long run. I remember reading about one Anabaptist denomination that embraced Evangelicalism to the point that they eventually lost any meaningful connection with their heritage and distinctive identity. Mainline Protestantism is characterized by tolerance, respect and acceptance of all but allows for and honors distinctive denominational identities, heritages and practises. The practical effect of Evangelicalism at least in this country seems to be a marginalization of denominational heritages and distinctive identities and practises leaving a bland, generic, one-size-fits-all Evangelical church. I knew and highly respected an Episcopal minister in a city I lived in for 27 years. He was a traditionalist and unapolegetically proclaimed the historic Anglican Christian faith. But his congregation was accepting of everyone who wanted to be a part of their faith community and they thrived and grew and were influential in that city. I suspect that Churches of Christ are more naturally suited for mainline Protestantism than for Evangelicalism.
One suggestion not in the article is to get the right-left politics out of the sermon. Equating one’s politics with one’s religion is bad. Religion should be above politics. Remember, Jesus was a liberal in a lot of ways, not a radically conservative fundamentalist Christian.
Secondly, the Methodists aren’t known for asking people lots of questions when they go in the door of the church. They also aren’t known for long invitations (altar calls).
I have been in too many cofC where one of two things occurred; either I was asked where (what congregation) I was from, who I knew, and if I were a member (baptized) already OR I was barely spoken to at all. These are both extremes, there is surely some middle ground. Now, all that questioning went on before I had ever found a seat.
As for seats, if one person is holding a seat or two for a child and/or spouse to come in, that is fine. However, some people need to stop hogging entire pews which go empty for most of the service just because their friends might show up. If you just don’t want me to sit there because you don’t like my looks or I am not in your clique, just tell me that I should sit somewhere else or stand in the back. At least you would then be honest. This is far too common an occurrence and makes people wonder if you really are welcoming. I have experienced this first-hand in college town congregations. I know cliques like to sit together, but there is a time for everything including not being ridiculous.
I know this may sound crazy but the first century church did not come up with plans and schemes and programs to resuscitate the church. The early church did not grow by having an institutional growth plan. The early church grew for two reasons: 1) They humbly allowed God and the Holy Spirit to guide the church. 2) The members were simply excited to have found our glorious Lord and they were so excited they went out and shared with others.
They did not follow modern church growth models (aka The Purpose Driven Church etc…). They did not go through church growth seminars. I fear that the modern church is still stuck on “what new program must we implement”. Let’s keep it simple. Get the politics out. Fall in love with the Lord. Stand in awe of his mercy and glory. Now go out and share with your friends and co-workers. God will take care of the growth.
Maybe it’s just me, but I found the article a little confusing. “We can’t be all things to all people” and that seems to me (at least) to be what they became and what made them successful. “Hey, like to knit? “We have a class for you”, “like to study finances?” We’ve got just the place for you. “Like to work on model trains?” We’ve got the class for you. Like contemporary music style or Gregorian chant? Your Sunday’s coming. We aim to please.
I understand that helps generate interest and sticking power until they decide they want (or if they want) to become a disciple, but wreaks to me of balloons and hot dogs at the local car dealership. Get’em on the premises and you might sale one. Clever marketing techniques. Maybe I’m just feeling cynical today. 🙂
Monty, I am with you. Our church in Virginia a few years ago hired an outside firm to evaluate the church for one year. We paid about $50,000 for the assessment. You know what the conclusion at the end of the year was? “Your mission should be to seek and to save the lost. Also, love God first.” Of course this was in the Bible, plain and simple, and the church could have saved all that money.
The tragedy is that the church dramatically shrunk over the following years because of politics with the elders. Thus, the elders killed any hope of loving God and loving the lost.
This is probably a sub-text of what Skip & Monty are saying. But is there anything in the Text which makes us think we’ve figured out this “organized” thing?
It’s one thing to be a non-profit organization. It’s another to be a spiritual community.
Generally (always a dangerous word), in the US we’ve not figured out the difference. Or, how to be the first, without squashing the second. And being the second is what we should be about.
Skip wrote, “The tragedy is that the church dramatically shrunk over the following years because of politics with the elders.”
Jay et al have written many posts on elders and various forms of church leadership. While all have pros and cons, bad leadership with(out) the minister having authority will sink a congregation. Perhaps a reorganization needs to occur in more than a few churches. This is not something to take lightly as most long-time members won’t like it, but it might result in a congregation being saved. Somewhere on line, there are numbers that reflect congregational turnover and years between elder selection. I realize these are usually ranges, but when the formula is run, it says that after 5-10 years, a high percentage (50-90%) of a congregation will have never expressed their opinion of the leadership. This results in leadership that may be out of touch and not represent the current membership.
Thought Question: Can My Church Grow As This One Has?
Thoughtful answer: Yes, but as you state it will be “your church” and very little in common with Christ’s Church.
Laymond what are they doing that you see in conflict with Christ’s Church?
Number 2 makes me kind of sad
Gary,
I do think you see clearly the problem that is part of the adventure of the Church of Christ today. The movement into Evangelicalism is destroying the traditions that do not have to be thrown away. Your example of the Episcopal church is right on.
The reason for the move into Evangelicalism, I believe, is first of all, the misguided notion that distinction must be discarded in order to embrace other Christians; and secondly, the fear of many progressives in the CoC of liberal politics and social issues. This fear has caused them to actually stop progressing and make the announcement, so to speak, “It is here that we now draw the line”.
The CoC has a rich past that, one that can create a healthy curiosity. But what must be understood by its leaders and membership is that people love traditions just as long as they are springs of life rather than millstones.
Well Johnny, I will comment on the one that concerns Charles , “We determined our niche.”
This one statement says plainly “this is my/our church” forget Jesus we will run this thing, to suit us.
Then they go even farther and write a document/ creed so every member is aware of who is the leaders of this congregation, and just what to expect if they wish to join . There are many things wrong with this “church” it is designed for the pleasure of the people, not the work of God. I don’t recall Jesus attending any knitting parties. I suspect that when they say “WE” they mean those who took over the operation of this “church”.
You can think of the “niche” as the people in the vicinity to whom you are going to reach out. It is different in every place, e.g. Urban, rural, university town, bedroom community. A minister with a DD from Harvard is not likely to know what to do if hired in a rural church.
Jesus went to a fair number of parties and went fishing with his friends. If he got invited to a knitting party where he spend time talking to people and letting them know him, I see no evidence he would turn it down. We can’t know for sure but I doubt he spent all the time camping out with his friends preaching. I figure they acted like a bunch of men who were friends. There is more to being part of the church than Sunday morning.
We only know of one short incedent about 12 year old and then Jesus is 30.
18 years of Jesus’ life unknown that He was doing something.
Hard to believe the Son of God spent those very, very, precious 18 years with all of humanity just doing carpentry.
He didn’t have the ability to disappear and appear where ever He wanted too for nothing.
Many civilizations around the world think He was the (God), teacher they talk, draw. carve and have built monuments too and about, that came from somewhere else and was with them for a while, maybe He was!
AJ The very first thing we learn about Jesus is he was born of woman, and he was born a flesh and bone human being and remained flesh, blood, and bone until his death and resurrection . and another thing we know is we will follow in his path. I don’t know what you meant when you wrote,
“Many civilizations around the world think He was the (God), teacher they talk, draw. carve and have built monuments too and about, that came from somewhere else and was with them for a while, maybe He was!”
my opinion is, if people mine and your age who have read the bible, and claim to believe (as Peter
did) that Jesus is the son of God, and we succumb to the belief being taught now, that Jesus is “the god” we need to discard that book, because it is full of lies. “The Lamb of God” “The son of God”
“The messenger of God” “the Word of God” many ways of referring to Jesus other than “the god” never do we see that. And when the CoC starts to teach that falsehood, we may as well shut the door because that church no longer exist, Just one question; who will Jesus turn every thing over to as Paul said he would do. himself !! ?
laymond,
what I mean is Jesus could of traveled to other places on earth during those 18 or more years and taught those there about God.
Our Bible teaches us about God and His son mostly from the mideast area. The bible also says if all was told about what Jesus taught and did, the world could not hold all the books.
So, obviously there is a lot we don’t know.
To teach that all in the world that were born with the spirit of God or a soul will burn in hell for not believing exactly as we do is wrong. Born to grow up and die and burn has been taught what has and will happen tp almost the whole worlds population except the d few of us and that has turned many off from a God that loves us all.
I hear said when teaching others, not of the COC that if a God that can see a persons future and knew from the beginning you would not have the ability to understand what God wanted you to do to be saved but still would sentence you to burn forever in an eternal flame, that is a vengeful and sadistic God. Better be able to satisfactorily answer that to bring folks to Jesus. That thinking covers most of us and our ancestors doesn’t it.
Understood by all is that to know what is right and doeth it not is sin.
A. John, I know we as human beings think of things differently than God does, how do I know this? I read it in the bible. I believe God tells us we cannot understand the way of God. I believe we are told straight out , we have a vengeful god. Sadistic, I don’t agree with. Whether we like to admit it or not we are still God’s creation, his to do with as he pleases. As Jesus, his very begotten son said, “Your will, not mine” , if you say I must die, then I must die.
John, I know it is hard to get our human mind around a God, a Creator that would create such things as human beings, then destroy that very creation, that is said to be created in God’s image.
We seem to forget that is exactly what God has done at least once before.
We seem to forget the story of Noah, and the flood that left only eight humans alive on this earth.
And as I read the story it all happened because God simply did not like what they were doing.
As I read the bible , the laws by which people were to live came about long after this event
If I am wrong please inform me, exactly when all the rules as to how man was supposed to live were put into place. I know it is hard for us to grasp that people should die and cease to exist because of ignorance, but did the people before the flood really know what God wanted from them?
Were they aware of sins that would kill.
Yes laymond, some humans were told what God wanted from the beginning. Started with Adam and Eve not obeying a simple command. That is my main point, the judgment will be different for each person based on many different things and circumstances.
Our error is judging all by the same rules or what we perceive as laws.
For those that didn’t know what God wanted, God will judge differently from those that did and disobeyed..
There will certainly be degrees of punishment and rewards.
laymond, Genesis 6:5 was where God saw the hearts of the people were evil continuously so He destroyed them. Point one: God could see what was in their hearts. Point two: evil existed and so must good have exist in Gods eyes. God personally talked to folks back then, was it through their conscience? I don’t know, but there was good and evil so God could judge accordingly.
My point is there is a big difference in having an evil heart and an ignorant one. Most folks of the past and today are out of ignorance, even those that are running folks off from God including many COC brethren. I don’t believe any are preaching or teaching this out of being evil, just ignorance.
Alabama John,
I seem to repeatedly be understanding you to promote that God is going to judge mankind on the curve according to his knowledge or lack of knowledge, In order for you to have a solid case in this area, explain the following communication in scripture.
(Rom 1:18 KJV) For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
Especially verses 19,20 The Apostle speaking for God (I say that because the human could not have known what God had shown previous generations) removes any excuse for lack of knowledge or ignorance about God, as protection from damnation.
With this message from God all mankind is damned, unless they heed the Savior’s Call.
Anything short of that is allowing good works (by only) those that have not heard the Good News (The Gospel) to earn salvation through their ability to do some good works. You surly would not promote that any of those that were not learned or ignorant could live a sinless life. God could consider these humans to be blemished, not perfect. Remember the animals used in the sacrifices, could there be a parallel? God would accept only perfect animals.
Remember we are only made perfect or perfected through our relationship with Christ. There is no other way into the kingdom, except through Christ. He said anyone that tries to enter any other way is a thief and a robber.
Larry, I see us saying the same thing.
All humans have known of God and some obeyed and some did not. I said the spirit of God was put in every human.
No, none lived perfectly but Jesus doed for those back then just as he did forward for us who came later.
Vs 20, “for the invvisible things were clearly seen”. That is my point, they knew what God wanted and either did it or not, obeyed or disobeyed, same as today. They were not born to die and go to hell but could obey God. Again, just as today.
On the cross Jesus died for the sins of ALL men.
Jesus was around from the beginning and was very active from the beginning in this old world as you know very well he didn’t first appear when born of Mary.
Many were evil at one time, so evil God destroyed all but 8. Why were those 8 saved? Did they believe and do all we teach one must do to be saved today? Laws for different times and peoples change don’t they. So will the judgments be for those that lived good and sinned at different times.
The teaching that all went or are going to hell that ever lived that did not do as we in the COC do today is wrong.
Alabama John,
As you mention in the last statement we are not the example for the world to live by, but in the time we are living in Christ is the example and we all know that no man will ever live the life of perfection that he did, and that no man will be saved except through Christ. I probably have read into some of your communications some of the doctrines that I have encountered, that when Christ died for sins on the Cross, it was for all the sins of mankind that has ever or will ever live. The errors that I have found in the application by some is that only those that totally refuse Christ will be condemned, basing that idea upon the concept that all men that have never heard about God or Christ will live to a different, you might say (set of rules) and their good conduct of life will atone for their avoidance of being condemned. If a human is not condemned, well he must have a place with the saved.
Larry, Thank you.
You write much better than I do and get your point across much better too.
I think of Job when he was asking all the questions of God and God didn’t answer a single one.
Many things of God are simply beyond our grasp.
I like the way Philip Yancy said it “Perhaps God keeps us ignorant because we are incapable of understanding the answer”.
WE sing the song ” we’ll all understand it by and by” And some believe that will be a terrible day for all of mankind as they are sent to burn in hell for eternity except for a very few that live in their time, place and beliefs. Others believe it will be a joyful, wonderful occasion seeing lost ones again and spending eternity with our saviour and understanding many mysteries revealed to us heretofore not understood.
God loves us!!!!