Conception, Growing, Middle Age, or Dying-Where Is Your Congregation on Life's Continuum?

Brothers & Sisters in Christ,

            Have you ever noticed there is a life cycle in a congregation?  There is the conception stage when people begin talking about it and take the first steps to organizing.  Then there is the birth stage when the congregation begins to meet and everything is new and exciting.  New things are tried all the time, and if something doesn’t work out just right or they stumble and fall they, babies and congregations, get up and try again.  As children and youth they begin reaching out with excitement and wonder as they look to bring people into their community.  They are often encouraged by others and are not afraid of much.  Congregations are often encouraged by their mothering church or annual conference.  As they get older they may try a new activity or idea, but they begin to become risk averse and begin asking “what’s in it for me.”  Around middle age they reach a plateau, but they are comfortable, and after a few more years decline becomes visible and eventually the congregation becomes invalid and dies.

            What many churches are discovering is that they have been at the plateau or decline stage for a long time, but have not known it because of either denial, some self- regeneration with large families, being busy keeping beloved programs (and sometimes not so beloved programs) going,  or a combination of the three.  The situation has gotten to the point where it has to be addressed, but it is hard to do so.  The work required to overcome the habits learned from when the church was younger and the resistance to new ideas and actions is hard.  Humans learn much from experience and what has worked on the past is what many congregations default to, but we are in a new day and age of sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  The old ways many times do not work or are not realistic.  An example of this is growing healthy churches by having large families.  Most families are no longer having 4-8 children who stay in the area and stay in their home church.  We have to find a new way. 

            Where are we on this continuum?  So what can we do with this knowledge?   Is it too late?  These tough questions lead to more questions and hard work.  To help start and continue the discussion here are some questions to think about?
1.  What is God’s vision for this congregation?  Am I willing to put aside my hopes and dreams and pick up God’s dream regardless of where it might lead?  Am I willing to let programs and activities die if the Lord leads us that way?

2.  Am I willing to support the forward motion of the congregation with my prayers, service, gifts, time, and your presence?  Even if I don’t like it or disagree with it?  Will I talk positive about what is going on at the congregation?

3.  Am I willing to do the work?

4.  What is the purpose of the church?  Is it for those inside or outside? 

5.  When you talk about the church do you talk about the events and activities at the church or do you talk about how God is working through those events?

 

May you have good discussions, peace, and blessings this month,