Critical First Steps

"Is it okay to want to cry your first Sunday on the job?"  That's what I was thinking to myself.  I was only twenty-eight years old and I had inherited an old "First Church" that had been in decline for over thirty years.  The thought of revitalizing this congregation had suddenly gone from an exciting challenge to a monumental undertaking that was about to crush me.  It became very real, very fast.

I wish in those early days I could have sat down over a nice cup of coffee with a trusted mentor and friend who had been there before, one who could give me advice on how to successfully navigate the rough waters of renewal.  Hopefully, I would have avoided many of the mistakes I made in those early days.  I’m confident I would have done things much differently.

In the weeks ahead we will be sharing what we think are some of the critical first steps in fostering a renewed sense of mission and purpose to your congregation.  We will be gleaning from the experiences of guys like Dr. Lyle Pointer, T. Scott Daniels, and Ed Stetzer. 

Reflecting on my own experience, I would say this:  Start with an understanding that there is not a program, a worship style, or a cool website that will make up for what being desperate for God will do.  I had tried everything I knew to do in the first three years of leading a turnaround church, with minimal results.  All of that began to change in a moment when I cried out to God in desperation for Him to do what only He could do – bring His church to life!

Why is it that we so quickly turn to programs and tinkering with methods instead of crying out in desperation to the One who gives life to dead things?  Expert after expert on church renewal points us back to the elementary truth that prayer matters.  Dr. Lyle Pointer puts it this way – “Crying out to God helps, because only He can grow His church.”

What would happen if we would partner together in crying out in desperation to God for the restoration of His church?  I believe that a God who has proven He hears the cries of his people would show up and give us the help that we need in leading His bride to be radiant once again.

Recommended Resource

The First 100 Days

Church Renewal Training Modules

Why talk about church renewal?

As pastors who are passionate about church renewal, we often find ourselves in conversations where we must justify talking about the revitalization of churches.  Knowledgeable leaders ask, “Why waste your time trying to renew churches? Church planting is quicker and more effective than changing the culture of an old first church?” 

These leaders make an excellent point.  And they are right about the time and effort.  As a result some pastors have given up hope. They become resigned to pastoring existing congregations.  Church renewal fades into a distant dream.  But we refuse to give up hope that God will ignite life into existing congregations. We believe, as you do, God gives life to dead bodies. Consider just a few reasons to talk about church renewal:

1. We can’t ignore the 80 percent.  Research reveals that 80 percent of the roughly 330,000 churches in the United States are in plateau or decline.  It’s even scarier to think that 1 percent of those churches will close their doors in the next year.  We cannot plant churches fast enough to make up for the loss of over 3,000 congregations in the next year.
2. Christ died for struggling churches too!  The congregations that make up the 80 percent of plateaued or declining churches are valued members of the Bride of Christ.  The Apostle Paul reminds us “Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her” (Ephesians 5:25).  I don’t think Jesus is ready to write off the portion of His bride that is struggling, rather I believe He is still calling men and women who would be willing to follow His lead in giving their lives on behalf of the church.
3. Renewal is important to those who pastor the 80 percent.  Most everyone wishes to pastor a thriving and evangelistic congregation.  This conversation matters to the pastors, young and old, who are giving their all to make a difference for the Kingdom in one of the 80 percent of our churches in plateau or decline.  And laity who invested heavily in the past and present want to make a difference for the Lord, too.
4. Every church needs renewal at some point.  It will happen.  All churches have a life cycle and the most successful churches are the ones that have the ability to recognize the signs of decline and take steps toward renewal early on.  That’s why this conversation is important for all of us.  As we continue the conversation about church renewal we have a better understanding of the steps tools and resources that are available to help our churches take steps towards being a vibrant church for the glory of God.

For more information and helpful resources on church renewal visit http://usacanadaregion.org/church-renewal.