I have seen through the years what causes many churches to lose their vitality. Here are just a few of my thoughts about the debate of closing or reigniting some of those churches:
-Most of the churches in danger of closing have a debt that is hanging over them that the congregation can barely maintain.
Because of this debt they cannot maintain their property, have a full-time pastor, hire the pastor some help, or invest in new ministries that would bring in new people. As I said in a previous blog, new people are less likely to attend a rundown facility with nasty yards. Statistics show they would go to a nicer-kept leased building than one that appears to be uncared for or rundown. It's not the fault of the present pastor if some committee let that church keep borrowing money just to survive. Some body's got to pay it back sooner or later.
Because of this debt they cannot maintain their property, have a full-time pastor, hire the pastor some help, or invest in new ministries that would bring in new people. As I said in a previous blog, new people are less likely to attend a rundown facility with nasty yards. Statistics show they would go to a nicer-kept leased building than one that appears to be uncared for or rundown. It's not the fault of the present pastor if some committee let that church keep borrowing money just to survive. Some body's got to pay it back sooner or later.
-The spirit of self-possession fills many of these congregation.
That mentality that says, "I've been here through thick and thin" makes them feel they have a right to say who comes in and out of their congregation. That mentality has become so strong today they will even defy their presiding bishops authority even when he tries to help them preserve their congregation. They refuse to move, they refuse to accept change, and they are going to sit there and let their church fall down around their heads. It's that attitude that even a location change cannot make a difference in.
That mentality that says, "I've been here through thick and thin" makes them feel they have a right to say who comes in and out of their congregation. That mentality has become so strong today they will even defy their presiding bishops authority even when he tries to help them preserve their congregation. They refuse to move, they refuse to accept change, and they are going to sit there and let their church fall down around their heads. It's that attitude that even a location change cannot make a difference in.
-The controversy of a younger man coming in to help an older pastor bring some new life isn't new.
That's be going on since I've been in the ministry. Before it became as popular as it is today I was asked to come and help breathe life into a congregation back in the 80's. The Senior Pastor had been at the church almost 40 years and the church had a big split and was running half of what they had previously run in attendance. I was in my early 30's and he asked me to pray about it, and if the Lord led me, to come on his staff, help build the church back up, and then the Church Council had already consented I would become Senior Pastor within a year. Through a series of events God put me in that place. The only problem was that when the church begin to come back to it's pre-split status, he changed his mind about retiring, and the whole plan changed.
That's be going on since I've been in the ministry. Before it became as popular as it is today I was asked to come and help breathe life into a congregation back in the 80's. The Senior Pastor had been at the church almost 40 years and the church had a big split and was running half of what they had previously run in attendance. I was in my early 30's and he asked me to pray about it, and if the Lord led me, to come on his staff, help build the church back up, and then the Church Council had already consented I would become Senior Pastor within a year. Through a series of events God put me in that place. The only problem was that when the church begin to come back to it's pre-split status, he changed his mind about retiring, and the whole plan changed.
Since that time I've heard of many a young man in a similar situation say the same thing. They were promised the moon, but ended up being grounded instead. In my humble opinion if a young man does come in expecting certain things or certain promises fulfilled for his sacrifice of service from a Senior Pastor, then they must be honored or the blessings that are happening will begin to dry up. Dissension will set in and the congregation may end up in worse condition that it was in before.
I don't have a dog in the fight, but I can say from experience that if you can't maintain your property, you don't need it. If you can't get along down here with your brothers and sisters, you'll not get a chance up there. So if a church has a history of selfishness, overwhelming financials, and a bad name in the community, it's better to sell, relocate, and seek for revival in that congregation. Changing pastors in some of these areas is just a bandage to a much larger problem. Sadly, in this time in America, we don't want to see any church close it's doors; but if it's never going to recover, it's better to bury it and begin again in a new location. Some churches deserve a second chance, but others have had so many chances and still face the same junk that caused the problems in the beginning. It's time to understand some new things need to be done if the old wells cannot be re-dug.
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