Friday, November 17, 2006

Start with the foundation


It seems so simple, and yet the church just doesn't get it sometimes...


We in the Western PA Conference of the United Methodist Church are beginning a new campaign called "Believe Again." It is a plan for ministry...to try to stem the decline of our churches. Now let me state that I am all for that!!! If the church isn't growing, then it isn't healthy. If it isn't healthy, then it isn't doing something right! (or Godly....hmmmm)


So now, many of our congregations are trying to turn things around. But I am sensing a growing tendency to do what we do so well...to put bandaids on cancer. I am fearful that many of our churches will try to work with surface issues and ministries to try to patch their sinking ships. But we must start with the foundation! We must assess the real problem and be bold enough to fix it.


In some churches, that may mean merging with another nearby congregation. In some churches, that may mean a change of pastor. In some churches, that may mean a change in lay leadership. In some churches, that may mean ending programs that have no purpose but to perpetuate the institution. These kinds of radical changes are needed to rebuild the foundation. And no church or ministry will be stable without a sure foundation.


What will not work is "remodeling" the programs or ministries without addressing the cracking and crumbling foundations.

8 comments:

Keith H. McIlwain said...

AMEN. I agree 100%. Renewal also may mean closing some churches which have really stopped being more than a Sunday chapel so that other churches may grow or be planted...that's the elephant in the room that no one wants to address.

Brett Probert said...

Preach it brother...we must stop the nonsense. This is what our Conference leadership, myself included, needs to be saying loudly, boldly, and repeatedly.

Anonymous said...

I know that this is an old institutional hymn, but it came to mind when I was reading. "How Firm a Foundation, ye saints of the Lord, is laid for your faith IN HIS EXCELLENT WORD!"

How many of our churches have simply forgotten the foundation of our faith in Jesus Christ because so much of what they have believed is not based in Scripture. We need to return to our foundation of living authentic lives based in the Word that is made flesh.

Peace

Brett Probert said...

Greg...and again I say amen. Matthew 7:24-28 comes to mind here! You know, if we love Jesus more and the "church" (which I here define as an institution) less, then Kingdom is near!

Brenda said...

Well Keith and Brett when are you going to do it and can I help.

Keith H. McIlwain said...

I'm not sure that we have any more authority than suggestions. And, from a pastoral perspective, few things are as painful as your church closing, so we need to be sensitive and not force the issue.

But it's possible that the Bishop & Cabinet can identify these churches (they know which ones they are) and talk to them about the possibilities of rebirth through death; resurrection is still the most important Christian doctrine. These once vital churches can, by closing, give tremendous gifts, financially and spiritually, to a new church start, and leave a wonderfully faithful legacy to the Kingdom.

So, we need to prayerfully suggest that the Bishop & the Cabinet develop a pastoral yet prophetic plan.

At any rate, that's my two cents.

Brett Probert said...

No, we can do. And I am. First of all, we just disassembled the entire leadership structure at Cornerstone and are rebuilding it from the ground up.

I have challenged the leader of every team to focus on two questions with their teams:

1. WHY? If we can't answer why we're doing something (in other words, if it has no purpose or does not fit into the vision) then we will not do it.

2. WHAT IF? We will ask ourselves at every turn the kinds of questions that will lead to honesty, intergrity, innovation, and health.

Also, I bend the ear of everyone who will listen. I've had lunch with the bishop, talks with my DS, conversations with people on BOOM, and I participate on the Conference Personnel Team because the same issues apply there.

Mostly, I just try to lead boldly where God has placed me, and I try never to lose sight of the fact that God NEVER called us as the church to be an institution, but to be an organism. BIG difference...

Keith H. McIlwain said...

Awesome!