Hope For Our Churches An Even Greater Future

Thus says the Lord, who makes a way in the sea, a path in the mighty waters, … Do not remember the former things, … I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. … to give drink to my chosen people, the people whom I formed for myself so that they might declare my praise. Isaiah 43:16-21

Hope For Our Churches An Even Greater Future

Who is this dude, Bob Meyer?! And what is he up to here? Introduce what we will be doing for the next year.

Matthew 28:19-20 “Make disciples of all the nations, (by) baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and (by) teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” God’s intention for the church is that it grow! Matthew 28:19-20 “Make disciples of all the nations, (by) baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and (by) teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”

Presbyterian Book of Order G # 2 The Great Ends of the Church “The great ends of the church are the proclamation of the gospel for the salvation of humankind...”

How are our churches doing? 94% of churches are plateaued or declining. This is true across denominational lines. Dave Olsen The American Church in Crisis

In the Builder Generation 65% accepted Christ In the Boomer Generation 35% accepted Christ In the Buster generation 15% accepted Christ In the Current generation 4% are accepting Christ Dan Schaffer Spiritual Fathers Some say that Islam is the fastest growing religion in America

Of children who grow up in our kind of churches only 9% of them remain true to their faith after leaving home. Why are these things happening?

91% of Christians today, when asked the question “Why does the church exist?” Answer “To take care of me and my family.” Research by George Barna A consumer mentality is killing our churches.

Congregations that are not growing by consistently and regularly making new disciples for Jesus are disobedient to the Great Commission. Let’s not sugar-coat this. It is disobedience, to the Great Commission and the Great Commandment Leaders bear responsibility for this.

The first part of the solution is repentance. Sorrow for our disobedience And determination to change

Growing churches make reaching lost people their first priority

Growing churches evaluate every ministry for outreach effectiveness. They do not accept ministries that have no higher purpose than just “having fun with our Christian friends.”

Growing Churches effectively assimilate new people. The quickest way to start growing your church Is to start assimilating 50% of your visitors

People do not come back to a church that is friendly. They come back to a church where they have made a friend.

The number one principle of retaining visitors Is to put new people with new people immediately. They all have open relationship slots And are looking for friends.

All churches follow predictable life cycles.

Four Key Elements Determine Place on Life Cycle V-Vision (Changing the World) V-Vision (Changing the World) R-Relationships (People connecting with people) R-Relationships (People connecting with people) M-Ministries M-Ministries S-Structure (Management) S-Structure (Management)

Small Churches Operate Through Relationships Larger Churches Operate Through Systems

–Nine essential systems EvangelismEvangelism WorshipWorship AssimilationAssimilation Lay MobilizationLay Mobilization Spiritual FormationSpiritual Formation Leader DevelopmentLeader Development Congregational CareCongregational Care CommunicationCommunication Decision-makingDecision-making

Growing churches are changing. This is our greatest challenge in revitalizing a declining church. It cannot be done without change! “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again but expecting different results!”

Peter Drucker, “If the rate of change outside an organization exceeds the rate of change inside an organization the organization is dying.” Change or Die!

People do not resist change. They resist the loss of what was comfortable, provided status and influence, and made them feel significant. Change agents must understand this and try to mitigate at least some of these losses.

Growing churches adapt to the culture around them. Eg. Missionary in New Guinea The culture changes with every generation. We have to change our “style” for every new generation.

Growing churches take risks. Hebrews 11:1&6 “Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Without faith it is impossible to please God”

Growing churches are staff led and managed. This includes staff led/vision driven budgeting The congregation does the ministry. Eph.4:11-12 The pastor is the leader. The staff does management The board does governance

Requirements of a large church: 1. Mission and vision is placed above self-interest 2. Staff led, this includes staff led/vision driven budgeting 3. Fellowship and shepherding must be programmed- Systems (people are cared for as they participate in ministry) 4. Intentional assimilation of visitors (The goal of assimilation is mobilization.) 5.Church vision is continually kept before the people. 6. Communication is maintained to the level of redundancy. 7. The senior pastor leads the staff, board, and congregation. 8. The board affirms rather than granting permission. 9. There are changed expectations of how ministry is done. 10. The congregation is honeycombed with third places. Requirements of a large church: 1. Mission and vision is placed above self-interest 2. Staff led, this includes staff led/vision driven budgeting 3. Fellowship and shepherding must be programmed- Systems (people are cared for as they participate in ministry) 4. Intentional assimilation of visitors (The goal of assimilation is mobilization.) 5.Church vision is continually kept before the people. 6. Communication is maintained to the level of redundancy. 7. The senior pastor leads the staff, board, and congregation. 8. The board affirms rather than granting permission. 9. There are changed expectations of how ministry is done. 10. The congregation is honeycombed with third places.

The church in America is in desperate condition It is in intensive care on life support We who are leading churches are responsible The Lord is calling on us to repent of our disobedient failure to make reaching lost people our first priority What is your response to the Lord’s call to you now?