Just finished an awesome book by Ed Stetzer, "Comeback Churches". It is a must read for any man who finds himself pastoring a plateaued or declining church. What insight this author has!
Churches can comeback from the brink of death or decline, but many choose not to do so. Isn't that amazing? They would rather die holding on to traditions that no longer benefit the kingdom of God than to do what is necessary to become alive and relevant in their communities. I find this very dismaying.
If your church needs to comeback from the edge of decline and death then read this book and make some changes. The changes most needed in our churches are 'heart' and 'attitude' changes.
You can be a "comeback church". Read the book.
David P Smith
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4 comments:
You're right, our churches can comeback...the problem is the one word you mentioned "CHANGE". They (speaking in general) do not want to change. They hear the word and they run scared! They think ANY change means we are heading in another direction...leaving our standards, following after other denominations. So, they don't change and they die. That is so sad to me. Part of the problem are those in the church who are adamantly against any change and stir up division when change is mentioned. They think change means we're going to do something drastic and it will be contrary to our beliefs. No one really likes changes, but even in personal life we find that at times change must occur. If we keep doing what we've always done, we'll keep getting the results we've been getting. We say we want men surrendering to ministry and yet, our schools need a major overhaul! Let's stop teaching opinion and dogmatics and start teaching the Word and helpful topics like how to pastor, administration procedures, and the like! (Yes, I have been to our schools, so I feel I may say this from knowledge. I also realize I have not been to all our schools so take my comments for what they are. )We say we want lost souls saved, but if our strategy to see that happening isn't working we refuse to change it (and yes, I understand it is the Holy Spirit and the Word who bring conviction, but God has given us the command to Go. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God!)We criticize those who are looking at the SBC or other denominations to see what they are using or doing to get ideas for ourselves, but we have no ideas to share. We would rather criticize those trying than to get up and help. Shame on us. Enough ranting already...I know there are change agents out there, they are just few and far between. Its getting harder and harder to hope for changes when it seems you're always running into a brick wall! Thanks for the exhortation for change. We sure could use it!!
I am reading the same book and I have reached pg. 60. I am very excited about starting some of the ideas and finding out how to minister to the people in this area better.
Let us pray together,love together,encourage together!
Yes, missionary baptist united!
love to Pastor David,
Well, it seems as if Ebenezer Baptist Church is a comeback church. At one time EBC was running 300-350 during the morning service. When I arrived, it was down to 12. What a sad statement, right? Well, I am glad to report that we are now running 80-90 (average) on a Sunday morning. While we still have a LONG way to go, it is quite exciting to see God work in such a great way in just over 2 1/2 years. Praise God for a comeback church.
And yes, they had to change many ideas and traditions in order to be a comeback church.
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