Quite possibly the hardest thing to do as it relates to church ministry is to change the culture. I’ve always argued that every church has a DNA. Something that they’ve been known for all over the city/town for the past half century or longer. Maybe the church is known for “good singing” or maybe highly spirited worship experiences. Others could be known for always having strong preaching, while others may be forever tied to the idea of what is called “high church.” Whatever the DNA may be, please know, that anyone seeking to change that church culture may very well be facing a losing battle.
Yesterday, I tuned in to hear the great “Preacher Whisperer”, Dr. Martha Simmons. In her broadcast, she was about as open as one could ever be. In so doing, she pointed out some hard realities for those in ministry to reckon. The best argument and probably the one that resonates the most with me, is that churches will rather die than change. Tom Rainer in his book I Am A Church Member shares the difficulty of breaking away from a culture in which the church is much akin to that of a social/country club. Local church membership is suffering, not because no one wants to become a part of the local church, but because the local church doesn’t want anyone else to join who is different. How else do you explain why so many churches have literally gone years without attracting one new soul? I currently pastor a church that has not had one new member in over 4 years, until my first Sunday.
Dr. Simmons is 100% correct when she acknowledges that church “ain’t gonna” never be the same. It just will not. No more 150 member choirs, unless your choir director’s is named Kanye. No more five-night revivals with special guest soloist. It also does not mean that there is no longer space for the gospel. It just means our approach and application have to shift along with the times in which we live. But still, even with the stench of death consuming every space around our church we will continue to operate as though our senses are malfunctioning. So, the hope is that another new pastor will be able to wave a wand and everything will change. Somehow, we overlook that throughout the decline the one common denominator has been the current membership. Yes, those very members that refuse to change.
I wrote this to express my overall disappointment with the spirit of lowered expectations that have consumed so many of our traditional churches. How can we remain stuck in the past when the entire world is passing us by in all the modern trappings of a 21st century organization. If a church is to meet the mere basic standards today there are simply some things that must be in place and operating effectively. They include: 1) Fearless Leadership 2) Sound Technology and Online Presence 3) Quality and Pleasant Musicianship 4) Commitment to Community Partnerships and Engagement 5) Dedicated Financial Commitment to Youth Ministry and 6) A Commitment to Excellence.
There is a great need in community for relationship and connection, but we have to be willing to change. We have to start down a new path, while offering to change the bad taste that’s being left in people’s mouth as they watch white led evangelicals movements destroy the public image and meaning of what it means to be a Christian. Now more than ever is the time to change or go and become a partner in ministry that has made the change. Just because the church is not willing to change, doesn’t mean that you can’t.
While I agree with the failure to change analogy there is another point to consider and that is salting the oats. They say, you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink unless you salt the oats. The issue of the dying church is that it’s not thirty. However, churches that still has silent generation and baby boomers has a remnant for God to work with. Here are some salty ideas. Give them a civil right to fight. Give them a building project. Give them a legacy to build. And give them reason the believe they matter. The moment they see their names written into gospel, they’ll be thirsty for more.
Thanks for the response Reverend. I would argue that the project for them to work on is the “change.” Change is the major project in need of support. Unfortunately, many of those older members are also the ones writing the checks, as a result, they hold the key to change. And it’s the letting go that is the hardest for that demographic, especially, when they are the overwhelming majority demographic.