One of the most intriguing
things I read this past year was a short blog by Thom Rainer titled Autopsy Of A Deceased Church. The blog is a candid examination of the
things that contributed to the death of a church that had been in decline for
several decades. Thom had consulted with
this church several years earlier, but an unwillingness to change led to its
ultimate demise.
The saddest part of this
story is that it is the story of so many of our churches. We know from statistical data that as many as
63% of Nazarene churches are in plateau or decline. Many will choose to follow the path towards a
slow and gradual death, but that doesn’t have to be their fate. Steps can be taken to restore health and
vitality.
As any good physician will
tell you, early diagnosis is key to treatment.
The Church of the Nazarene provides a terrific free diagnostic tool
called the Nazarene Missional ChurchAssessment. The NMCA is a
congregational survey designed for Nazarene local churches to help a local
church assess its current ministry, and provides perspective for the task of
creating a church action plan to address areas that may be robbing the church
of health and vitality.
As you enter into 2014 the
question is will it be another year marked by decline and the slow and gradual
march toward death or will it be a year marked by changes that lead towards
life and vitality? The fist step towards
life could be as simple as taking a survey that serves as a diagnostic tool for
creating a healthy, vibrant church.
To use the NMCA please
contact:
Rich Houseal
Research Services
Church of the Nazarene
Global Ministry Center
17001 Prairie Star Parkway •
Lenexa, KS 66220
1-800-306-9928 • direct
913-577-0652
“Today I have given you the choice
between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and
earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that
you and your descendants might live!” (Deuteronomy 30:19 NLT)
No comments:
Post a Comment