Tag: Church Growth

What Do the Unchurched Want?

Posted on by

George Barna was asked the following question: If you were pastor of a typical church today, what practical things might you do to reach those outside? His response:

1. First, I’d make sure everyone in the body knew that evangelism without discipleship is spiritual abuse. We have so many people who work hard to get people saved, then abandon those individuals the moment they’ve said the magic words.

2. Second, I’d gear our worship services exclusively to those who truly love Christ. If an unchurched person wanders in, that’s fine, but if they did, I’d want them to be blown away by the presence of God, the commitment of the people to that presence, by the robustness of the worship, and by the sincerity of the congregation regarding knowing God ever more deeply. The goal of worship is worship, not evangelism.

3. Third, I’d shift the strategy from training people in the steps we think will lead people to Christ to empowering people to just be real. Nonbelievers are more impressed by a good friend who genuinely loves Jesus and lives accordingly than by a well-intentioned debater who wants to argue everyone into the kingdom.

4. Fourth, as part of that strategy I’d invest heavily in developing the worldview of the believers. Because people find Christ through relationships, not the impartation of information about Christ, it’s important that believers understand how to see the world through a lens of faith and know how to communicate their faith in relation to every life circumstance, without harassing or degrading people. Know what you believe and why, and be able to relate it to every circumstance, which allows you to talk to people about their experiences and hopes without feeling as if you have to persuade them to adopt your point of view. Besides, it’s the Holy Spirit that convicts and converts people, not us.

5. Fifth, I’d focus the majority of our outreach resources on children, not adults. Few adults get converted. The vast majority of people who ever embrace Christ do so when they’re young usually before they hit the teen years. Every adult who’s interested in doing meaningful ministry would be encouraged to find a way to serve the kids in the church and community. And I’d do whatever we could to empower the kids to share their faith with their family and friends.

– From What Do the Unchurched Want? in Rev!, July/August 2006

[print_link] [email_link]

Related Images:

Disciple-Making Pastor, Part 3

Posted on by

The Conflict Regarding Disciple Making and Churches:

The characteristics of disciple making are intentional, measurable, clearly communicated ministry.

Liberal Church:
This generally came out of the breakdown of absolute truth rooted in Scripture. It wanted to change the world through social action without much of a call toward salvation of the people in society.

Misconceptions About Discipleship:
It’s more than a trendy evangelical term, or getting serious about Christ, or mastering certain basics in Christianity, or skills training, program participation.

Weak Non-Professional Leadership:
Leadership from the marketplace is needed to make an impact in that marketplace, making changes in their circles of influence.

Churches Have Not Taken Seriously the Great Commission:
Perhaps the average church member has not been taught that the Great Commission is for all people, not just the church in general.

Accommodation to Culture:
This is the belief system of society, through media and the mind, morality, secular methodologies, superficial Christianity.

Related Images:

Disciple-Making Pastor, Part 2

Posted on by

The Need for Disciple Making Pastors:

Elton Trueblood stated that perhaps the single weakness of the contemporary Christian church is that millions of supposed members are not really involved at all and, what is worse, do not think it strange that they are not. Christ’s intention is to form a militant company to carry out the Great Commission. There is no real victory in a campaign if ninety percent of the soldiers are untrained and uninvolved, but that is exactly what we have now.

Most churches are growing by transfer, sort of a rotation of the saints. Relationships between clergy and laity have become professional performers and audience. Trueblood also stated that cheap Christianity can pull together a pretty good audience.

George Barna has stated that there is not too much difference between the beliefs of Christians and non-Christians. The fact is that the proportion of Christians who affirm these values is equivalent to the proportion of non-Christians who hold similar views indicates how meaningless Christianity has been in the lives of millions of professed believers.

Related Images:

Sunday School Growth

Posted on by

Josh Hunt is a church and Sunday School growth consultant based in New Mexico (www.joshhunt.com). He recently wrote an article in which he asked whether there is a place for the “normal” church. In a landscape populated by the purpose driven, missional, seeker-driven, or church du jour, can the “normal” church still be used by God? His conclusion, “Yes, if …..” church leaders give attention to some of the basics.

Here is the gist of the ten items Josh listed:

  1. Study your church. Know your people.
  2. Improve the music. More than the style of the music, the question is, “Is it any good?”
  3. Improve the preaching and teaching. Josh notes, “The number one predictor of the growth of any church is the preaching ability of the pastor.” He goes on to suggest, “The best way for a pastor to improve his preaching is for him to teach his Sunday school teachers how to communicate. You work on improving their communication skills and everyone improves.”
  4. Train the workers. People make growth strategies work! Train them and give them experience in teaching skills, leadership skills, people skills, evangelism and growth skills, and spiritual development.
  5. Preach a gospel of joy and grace. I love the way Josh put it: “The gospel is a gospel of good news. It is a message of joy and grace that God loves us and will forgive us of all of our sins. He will give us a life of meaning and purpose. He will show us, through His word, how to live the best life possible in an often inhospitable world. Being in several hundred churches has taught me that the theology in growing churches is often different from the theology in non-growing churches. Growing churches preach grace with a smile. Declining churches teach grace with a scowl. There is a difference.
  6. Model and vision cast of growth. Want to grow your Bible study groups? Then do more than just encourage others; get personally involved.
  7. Take care of the visitors. Beyond the simple matter of a good first impression when they arrive at your church, see that they’re invited to lunch or a Sunday School class gathering. Invest in the relationship.
  8. Take care of the details. Again, Josh puts it so succinctly: “It matters that your nursery doesn’t smell like a dirty diaper. It matters that the words are speled wright in teh buliten. It matters that the soloist sings on key.”
  9. Go after kids. God still works salvation miracles with adults. But, the number of people who come to Christ after their teenage years is small when compared with those reached when they are younger.
  10. Love God; love people. “Don’t get so focused on getting church right that you fail to keep your relationship with God right.”

[print_link] [email_link]

Related Images:

Simple Church, Part 6

Posted on by

Simple Church: Return to God’s Process for Making Disciples
(Rainer and Geiger)

This is a very easy to read and understand assessment of the church in America. The authors provide research to support the assertion that church in America has become complex; leaving a simple strategy that attracts people and moves them into deeper levels of commitment to Christ and the community.

“Art is a process of elimination. The sculptor produces the beautiful statue by chipping away such parts of the marble block as are not needed.” — Elbert Hubbard (Focus)

We must shy away from our culture of super-size me and stick to what fits the process. More and bigger programs do not bring spiritual health. Remember Curly, on City Slickers? He would hold out his bony finger and say there was really only one thing… and if I remember, he died before he told them! David longed for one thing (Psalm 27:4); Paul longed for one thing (Philippians 3:13-14); Timothy was to focus on one thing (1 Timothy 4:7-8); even the writer of Hebrews wants us to focus on one thing (Hebrews 12:1-2). We are focus as a builder:

Eliminating:
This is difficult since churches are like pack-rats, surrounded by clutter. Churches that eliminate clutter in programming are more focused on what they are to do.

  1. Going Google – streamline and keep it simple.
  2. Stewardship – don’t just spend, but invest. Every program is an investment in the process. Be wise in use of time and money.

Limit adding:
Use existing weekly programs for special emphases/initiatives instead of adding new programs. Less is more. Choose new options rather than adding new programs.

Reduce special events:
Don’t ride a fence, you must be focused. Perhaps it is time to pull out the knife. If special events are always publicized, the essential programs that move people through the process are not emphasized. These other events will complete with the essential programs for the time of the people. Funnel the special events into existing programs. Special events must be used strategically.

Easily communicated:
If you want people to understand why you are so passionate about your ministry process, you must be able to communicate it with ease.

Simple to understand:
Saying “no” is easier to accept when there is reasoning behind it. When people are committed to the process, they will be more likely to embrace the decisions that accompany such focus. Be brief and choose simple language.

Related Images:

Simple Church, Part 5

Posted on by

Simple Church: Return to God’s Process for Making Disciples
(Rainer and Geiger)

This is a very easy to read and understand assessment of the church in America. The authors provide research to support the assertion that church in America has become complex; leaving a simple strategy that attracts people and moves them into deeper levels of commitment to Christ and the community.

“Now I urge you brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all same the same thing, that there be no divisions among you, and that you be united with the same understanding and the same conviction.” — Paul, 1 Corinthians 1:10 (Alignment)

Unity is a miracle: Jesus prayed that his disciples experience unity, that they be one (John 17:21). Alignment is having all those involved on the same page.

Recruit on the process:
Don’t just hire people on their talent but how they fit the organization. Hiring the best in each role will lead to division. A staff person cannot be all things to all people; each must stand on their convictions and priorities.

Offer accountability:
The church is not a building, a creed or an institution; it’s alive. There is a balance between micro-managing the process and neglect. This balance is called good leadership. A tool worth considering is having a Ministry Action Plan. We used this approach in Africa and is very helpful in defining measurable goals and action plans to meet those goals.

Implement the same process everywhere:
The simple process guides every group and department; children through students and adults. The benefits include:

  1. Understanding is increased – everyone understand the direction of the community.
  2. Unity is promoted – each ministry is pulled together.
  3. Families experience the same process – they are challenged toward movement within the process.

Unite around the process:
If the community is not united around the same process, it will look a lot like Mr. Potato Head with his parts in the wrong places. We must function in the right way (1 Corinthians 12:12). New ministries are always added and evaluated according to the process.

Related Images:

Simple Church, Part 4

Posted on by

Simple Church: Return to God’s Process for Making Disciples
(Rainer and Geiger)

This is a very easy to read and understand assessment of the church in America. The authors provide research to support the assertion that church in America has become complex; leaving a simple strategy that attracts people and moves them into deeper levels of commitment to Christ and the community.

“And we, who with unveiling faces, all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” — Paul 2 Corinthians 3:18 (Movement)

Strategic programming:

  1. Begin with your clearly defined process (not the programs).
  2. Choose one program fro each phase of the process (rather than attach all programs into the new process).
  3. Design each program for a specific aspect of the process (don’t let other priorities clutter the process).

Sequential programming and intentional movement:

  1. Order the sequences of your programs to reflect your process (programming flows from the process).
  2. Designate a clear entry-point to your process (the place where most people are likely to enter the process, then do it with excellence).
  3. Identify the next levels of programming (once they attend at the entry-point, the program that is their next target).
  4. Capitalize on relationships and connect people to groups.

New Members’ Class?

  1. Teach the simple process (correct their preconceived ideas about the church).
  2. Ask for commitment to the process (invite people to join the journey).

Jesus’ example:

  1. The Calling – Luke 5-6
  2. The Building – Luke 7-8
  3. The Sending – Luke 9-10

Related Images:

Simple Church, Part 3

Posted on by

Simple Church: Return to God’s Process for Making Disciples
(Rainer and Geiger)

This is a very easy to read and understand assessment of the church in America. The authors provide research to support the assertion that church in America has become complex; leaving a simple strategy that attracts people and moves them into deeper levels of commitment to Christ and the community.

“If anyone’s work that he has built survives, he will receive a reward.” — Paul, 1 Corinthians 3:14 (Clarity)

How to get started:

  1. Determine what type of disciple you wish to produce in your church (like passionate lovers of God desiring to serve others).
  2. Describe your purpose as a process (expecting movement and spiritual growth).
  3. Decide how each weekly program is part of the process (how a program used to move people through the process).

Illustration:

  1. The illustration should reflect your process (which reflects the reality of the process).
  2. The illustration should show progression (Rick Warren used the baseball diamond).
  3. The illustration should help simplify (don’t use symbols with hidden meanings that need clarification).

Measurement:

  1. Learn to view numbers horizontally, not vertically – vertically numbers how many people are participating in each event or group. Horizontally measures how many are moving within the process.
  2. Measure attendance at each level in the process – how many are plugged in and then measure the movement.

Ongoing conversation:

  1. View everything through the lens of your simple process, the blueprint.
  2. Surface the process in meetings.
  3. Test leaders on it (like fill in the blanks of the illustration).
  4. Brainstorm new ways to communicate the process.

Increased understanding:

  1. Articulate the process corporately (repeating significant things, from the top down).
  2. Share the process interpersonally (not just from the pulpit, but around dinner tables and at meetings).
  3. Live the process personally (live what you are asking your people to do). The difference between a travel agent and a river guide, is that the travel guide sets up your journey and turns you loose, while the river guide actually takes you on the journey, knowing all the rough spots and helps you through.

Related Images:

Simple Church, Part 1

Posted on by

Simple Church: Return to God’s Process for Making Disciples (Rainer and Geiger)

This book is a very easy to read and understand assessment of the church in America. The authors provide research to support the assertion that church in America has become complex; leaving a simple strategy that attracts people and moves them into deeper levels of commitment to Christ and the community.

“Out of complexity, find simplicity.” — Albert Einstein

There are a lot of companies in America that have caught on to this method of simplicity:

  1. Apple – computers, phone, music are all interfaced with a simplicity of “plug and play.”
  2. Google – this site has only a few words on the front page, yet is used for about 75% of internet searches.
  3. Southwest Airlines – no assigne4d seats, minimal food, no hubs.
  4. Papa Johns – their mission is to have a simple formula for success: focus on one thing and try to do it better than anyone else. The menu is simple yet with superior quality.

Matthew 23, Jesus is pointing out the fact that the Pharisees were proud of fancy coffins; whitewashed tombs filled with dead men’s bones.

“To be simple is to be great.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson

The opening section deals with a comparison between what the authors call First Church and Cross Church. The pastors and staff of each church are different; roles, focus, processes, etc.

First Church: in existence for over 40 years, recognized throughout the denomination, a solid church, wonderful Christmas programs, talented and popular staff who speak at conventions and write articles. They have an extensive church bulletin with lots of activity. They have a mission statement, purpose statement, vision statement and a strategy statement; each different from the other and long. They are influenced by another high-power church and uses a purpose that utilizes the five “M” statements – Magnification, Multiplication, Maturity, Ministry and Missions. All good, but another statement that people will not remember. There are a lot of programs and activity, but First Church is unclear about what it is, and how it is to get there. It just sort of happens. With staffing, this church has talented people with their own ideas and strategies.

Cross Church: not that well-known, no staff names are recognized, 20 years old, seen a lot of recent growth, people are coming to know Christ and are being plugged in to ministries. A difference emerges from First Church; first there is only one statement, an overarching theme that each group in the church has bought into. The pastor shares from the pulpit and the the staff, volunteers and publicity all reflect the simple statement of, “Love God, Love Others, Serve the World.” These are the purpose and the process. The strategy is to move people into deeper levels of commitment to Christ and the community. With staffing, each member is in line with the purpose and all activity is in line with that purpose.

Related Images:

Successful Home Cell Groups

Posted on by

This is the story of Dr. Paul Yonggi Cho, pastor of the world’s largest church, in South Korea. I read his book years ago and would love to see the movement of God take place in our church. He is able to pastor over 830,000 members (in 2007). They conduct seven worship services each Sunday, three on Wednesday, with several other gatherings during the week, along with two sunrise prayer services every day except Sundays, and a weekly six hour all-night prayer service each Friday beginning at 9:30 pm!

He has been theologically controversial; Cho’s teaching “is nothing short of occultism…” and “a departure from historic Christian theology…” (p. 353 Christianity in Crisis by Hank Hanegraaff). So, I don’t want to promote his theology (Full Gospel, Assembly of God, health and wealth type), but his success with small groups cannot be denied.

Gradually the idea began to form in my mind: Suppose I released my deacons to open their homes as house churches. Suppose they taught the people, prayed for them and helped them, and suppose the people helped one another in the same way in those home cell groups. The church would flourish in the homes, and the members could even evangelize by inviting their friends and neighbors to the meetings. Then on Sunday they could bring them to the church building for the worship service. That would exempt me from laboring in visiting and counseling, and other time-consuming work. I would be free to pastor–to teach and preach and equip the lay leaders for ministry. (Cho)

  1. The early church model was house churches (Acts).
    1. Use the deacon’s homes.
    2. But deacons work long hours and can’t do it.
    3. Besides, we pay a pastor to do this.
  2. Use the women of the church.
    1. House churches – Romans 16:1, 3, 6, 12
    2. Deaconesses – Romans 16:1 NLT
    3. Obstacles.
      1. Men under the authority of women.
      2. Lack of discipline: Became very long meetings, Took on a party atmosphere.
      3. Outside speakers: Took offerings for themselves. Sometimes questionable doctrine.
      4. Money: People borrowed from each other. Investment strategies carried out.
      5. Attendance: Too many people meeting in one home. Rule: split after reaching 15 families.
      6. “Borrowing” from the offering: Since it was not turned in until Sunday. A treasurer was elected.
      7. Ego and authority of house church leadership: Leaders demanding loyalty to them, not the church. Sheep stealing to start their own church.
  3. The security of cells.
    1. Meaningful involvement.
    2. Intimate, personal ministry.
    3. The exercise of spiritual gifts.
    4. The care for one another: made needs known.
    5. Familiar locations for outsiders: Saturday nights at homes: men did not work all day. Office complexes and factories during the day.
  4. Evangelism.
    1. Door to door invites resistance (like Mormons).
    2. A cell group is the nucleus of the neighborhood.
    3. Unbelievers become curious, the group is a magnet.
    4. Holy eavesdropping discovers needs.
    5. Cells develop men as spiritual leaders.
    6. Cells get the church into apartment complexes.
    7. Cells make the church a living organism in the city.
    8. Cells don’t lose people out the back door.
  5. Practical reasons for home cells groups.
    1. Churches don’t need to plateau.
    2. There are no space limitations.
    3. There are no parking problems.
    4. The church is not built around a single personality: If the pastor leaves, the church is still strong. The underground church in China (99% of leaders in China are women).
    5. There is no need to proselytize.
  6. How does one begin?
    1. The pastor must be convinced of this strategy, or the effort will become stagnant. The meetings will become ritualistic. The cells will become a cancer if the is no loyalty or accountability.
    2. Start small: Begin with a dozen key leaders. Choose leaders with enthusiasm, testimony, dedication, Spirit-filled, with time and money.
    3. Train them: Prepare group lessons. Gather curriculum. Teach how to lead singing, pray, worship.
    4. Minister to one another: share needs.
    5. Be evangelistic: bring lost people.
  7. Fellowship with the Holy Spirit: koinonia.
    1. Fellowship.
    2. Partnership.
    3. Distribution.
    4. Multiplied and empowered ministry.
    5. Priorities: Jesus Christ is number one. You are second: maintain your devotional life. Family is third (wife and children).
  8. Motivation for the leaders.
    1. A new born child needs food and meaningful touch.
    2. Recognition: certificates, words of encouragement.
    3. Praise: tells others how they are doing.
    4. Love: care, concern, never take them for granted.
  9. Dream, set goals, believe, be enthusiastic, get ready.

Related Images: