Empowering the Laity Autopsy of a dead Church Why An autopsy is the examination of a dead body to determine the Cause of Death ID: 629688
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Slide1
CLERGY COURSE OF STUDYSlide2
Strategic Planning for Church Growth and Renewal:
Empowering the Laity
Slide3
Autopsy: of a dead Church
Why? An autopsy is the examination of a dead body to determine the Cause of Death
When? Only after it is dead and then it is too late for LIFE
How? The viewing of an autopsy for family is very gruesome not to mention painful and is only beneficial if it is received as a warning to the living.Slide4
Autopsy
There is a lot we can learn from closed and declining churches
Thom Rainer in his book “Breakout Churches” states that an estimated 100,000 churches will close this year.
60% of all churches in the United States has an average Sunday attendance of less than sixty.Slide5
Autopsy
Let us pray that God will give us courage to read the signs and make the necessary changes to give new life to the churches He has placed in our Care.Slide6
Here’s your Sign: slow erosion
Most churches do not just close their doors most die a slow but inevitable death
Decline is everywhere yet no one seems to see it.
For those who see it there doesn’t seem to be a sense of Urgency to stop and reverse the declineSlide7
Slow erosion
Decline in the Physical property
Driveway
Directional Signs
The electrical system
The sound system
The roof
The lawn care, cemetery
Kitchen appliances
Pews, hymn booksSlide8
Slow erosion
Spiritual decline
Ex: use to have two bible studies a week now none
Worship attendance down or stagnant
Sunday school down or holding
Decline in active prayer lives
No
C
hristian discipleship programs
Disconnected from the community
No focus on the outward ministries of the church
No visioning from the members, dreams, hopesSlide9
Who is responsible for the death of a church?
Haggai (example)
Jews retuning from exile
Given one command rebuild (renewal) the Temple
They laid the foundations for the breaches and quit
They built their homes
They got comfortable and complacent
They forgot the Temple,
They forgot God’s command
They forgot about GodSlide10
Autopsy: A common thread
The Past
We will die before we change. Most Do.
The good old days.
The way it was is the way we want it todaySlide11
Hold on at all Cost: Harry Truman
Harry R. Truman
Foot of Mt. St. Helens May 16, 1980
Lost his home and his life
Why did he die?
He was trying to hold onto his past.
He ignored all of the warning signs.
He refused to changeSlide12
What do deceased and dying churches hold on to?
Worship styles
Traditional
Contemporary
Formal/informal
Fixed orders of worship
Times of worship
Homecoming
Revivals
5
th
Sunday sings
Emphasis was on the way “we’ve always done it”.
some cling to property
the building
My mama and daddy started this church
This room is named after Mr. +Mrs. Someone special
No new pastor unless it is Mr. everybody’s favorite from 30 years ago
All dead or declining churches began to focus on themselvesSlide13
Change
T
o cause to be different; to cause to be altered; to transform
God has called us to be different Titus 2:14
periousios
a compound of
being
beyond
usual, that is,
special
(one’s
own
): - peculiar
.
1
Pe
2:9
God has altered our thinking
Ph
2:5
phroneo
̄
to
exercise
the
mind
, that is,
entertain
or
have
a
sentiment
or
opinion
; by implication to
be
(mentally)
disposed
(more or less earnestly in a certain
direction).
God asks us to be transformed
Ro 12 1-2
metamorphoo
̄
“
metamorphose”): - change, transfigure, transform.Slide14
Not to change
Our Biblical views
This can get us in trouble
Theological Stances
The Trinity, the Resurrection, the Virgin Birth
Doctrinal Beliefs
Doctrine of Holiness
Sacraments
Baptism, Lord’s Supper
Fundamentalism
Marriage
Sanctity of lifeSlide15
Our Communities Change
Racial/Ethnic Make-up
Economically
Agrarian to manufacturing to Service Oriented
Low tech (3
tv
Channels) High tech (satellites)
Wood signs to electric signs to digital message centers
Type-writers to word processors to computers
Age related changes (elderly in home now 39 nursing care facilities)Slide16
Churches Change
Historically personal evangelism and Christian Discipleship have always been at the heart of church growth
Traditionally the church was at the center of the communities in which they existed
Typically the church had a clear understanding of the “Great Commission” and applied its concepts to the ministries that it developed.Slide17
Dead and dying Churches slowly become a Fortress
A place of fortification; a fortified place
Fort Knox
Tanks, soldiers, vaults, cameras, alarms
A Medieval Castle
A moat, gates, draw bridge, watch tower
Has two-fold purpose
To keep those who are inside safe and secure
To keep those that are outside just that outsideSlide18
Fortress Cont’d
But what history shows us is that most of the time those inside the fortress suffered greater loss than those on the outside. Because those on the outside turned it into a siege and those inside find themselves at the mercy of the outsiders.Slide19
$$ Show me the money $$
Wellington R. Burt
Died in 1919
Listed as the 8th wealthiest man in all of America
Powerful Politician
Mayor of Saginaw , MI
State Senator in Michigan
Known as one of the greediest men ever
His will stated that no one could receive any money until 21 years after the death of his last grandchild
2011, 12 recipients received funds, 92 years laterSlide20
Churches too
I have never heard a church say “we are a greedy church”
Not greedy but inwardly focused
In dying churches the last expenditures to be cut are those that keep the church members most comfortable
Facility building cost
Personnel salariesSlide21
Where are the cuts made?
Outreach ministries
Food banks
Basic human needs
Food pantries, medical assistance, utilities
Evangelism
Newspaper, radio, television, literature, internet, signage
Publicity campaign,
word of mouth- door-to-door, group or street evangelism
Christian Discipleship-Bible study, Worship Service, Sunday School, Book of Discipline, Training for ServiceSlide22
Where are the cuts made? Cont’d
Facility usage is restricted
No AA, NA, Al-Anon meetings allowed
No GED classes welcomed
The goal is to protect our propertySlide23
Part II
Role of pastor
Eph
4:11f
Acts 6:1-8Slide24
Mark 10:21-22
Young rich ruler
Sell all
Give all
Pick-up the Cross
Follow me
He was grieved because he had a lot of possessions
Not all churches die broke
Can have plenty of money
Inherited assets
Physical property
They accumulate for fear of not having
Money being used to keep the members happy
To keep the machinery of the church goingSlide25
The Great Omission of the:
Great COmmission
Some churches and Pastors start with the Great Commission very few keep it (Billy Graham Evangelistic Association)
Too often we forget the Great Commission
Two components Evangelism and Christian Discipleship
Focus rather on Programs (Methods)Slide26
Programs For Church Growth
“Twelve Steps for an
E
ffective Church” by Ken Callahan
“Effective Church Planning” by Lyle Schaller
“Vision 2000”
FRANgelism
for church growth
“Open Hearts, Open Doors, Open Minds”
There is one problem that is common in them all-Slide27
What was the Problem?Slide28
What Was the Problem?
The emphasis was to small and focused simply on “church” growth and not on “KINGDOM” Growth
Success was contingent upon a few faithful folk.
Evangelism Committee
Outreach and Missions Committee
To be a success the entire church has to be involved it has to become
all
of us: reaching out to anyone, any where and at anytimeSlide29
Matthew 28:19-20
Four Imperatives
Go
Teach
Baptize
Make disciples
Verb-expresses existence, action or occurrenceSlide30
go
To move or travel to proceed
To function properly
Poreuomai
to
traverse
, that is,
travel
(literally or figuratively; especially to
remove
[figuratively
die
],
live
, etc.): - depart, go (away, forth, one’s way, up), (make a, take a) Slide31
Teach
To cause to learn by example or experience
mathe
̄teuo
̄
to
become
a
pupil
; transitively to
disciple
, that is,
enrol
as scholar: - be disciple, instruct, teach.Slide32
Baptizing
An initiation or purification experience
baptizo
̄
to
make
whelmed
(that is,
fully
wet
); used only (in the New Testament) of ceremonial
ablution
, especially (technically) of the ordinance of Christian
baptism:
-
baptist
, baptize, wash.Slide33
Make disciples
To change from one form or function to another
tēreo
̄
to
guard
(from
loss
or
injury
, properly by keeping
the
eye
upon) Slide34
Why has the church stopped growing?
Simple! Great Commission Disobedience
We have chosen not to remember
We have chosen comfort over reaching out
We have ignored the action words
Go, Make, Baptize, Teach
No outreach, not willing to indorse, invite, invest
Not willing to do intercessory prayer
Not willing to give sacrificially
Work, hard, fast, a lotSlide35
Purpose driven vs preference driven
What God Desires.
What I want.
Me, myself and I
My music style
My length of service
My order of service
My Activities
My program
My need for the Pastor
My, Me, MineSlide36
Pastor tenures decrease
Ten out of fourteen churches that closed their doors had a common theme of short lived pastorates.
Most church tenures last two to three yearsSlide37
Tenure stages
The Honeymoon
Pastor and church wanted a change, everyone happy last one to two years
Lovers quarrel
Some conflicts /challenges arise pastor/church begins to learn each others faults 2 to 3 years
Cross roads-years 4 to 5
Critical time usually some crisis will arise pastor will leave or be forced out
Conflict resolution managed well pastor and church will maintain a good relationshipSlide38
Tenure stages: Part II
Fruit and Harvest years 5-10
If the church survives the first crossroads research shows that churches experience their best years when measured by any metric.
Crossroads again– year ten--The first cross roads was decided by the Pastor, the church or both. During this rare tenure usually the pastor goes down one of two paths:Slide39
Tenure stages iii
A) reinvigorated, as a leader
ready to tackle new challenges
Eager to help cast new visions
B)resistant to change
Becomes complacent
Fights against new ideas
I have seen it happen both ways and can’t explain why.Slide40
Lack of unity
No harmony in the body (Acts 2:42)
Biblical teaching
Christian fellowship
Breaking Bread
PrayerSlide41
No clear Purpose/ vision/mission
1980 Olympics (Miracle on Ice) U.S. wins Gold)
Herb Brooks –Students against Professionals
How did he empower them to do the unthinkable.
What is our Mission Statement?
What is our
V
ision Statement?
What is our Strategic Plan?
For the year, the next 3 years, the next 10?Slide42
Mission Statement
Sacred Pathways: To bring positive change to our community.
To bring aid to the homeless, to establish avenues of assistance for those suffering from alcohol and substance abuse issues to bring awareness of these and other social ills to the community.
“Building relationships that restore integrity, productivity and full human potential.”Slide43
Mission statement
Re-examined
Restated
Refresh
A church without a Gospel centered purpose is no longer a church at all.
Domino’s Pizza—Domino’sSlide44
CLERGY COURSE OF STUDY-Part IIiSlide45
Strategic Planning for Church Growth and Renewal:
Empowering the Laity
Slide46
Facility Obcession
Fights over property 8 out of 14 churches split over in some cases the pulpit.
Who can use the van? Fellowship hall, et cetera
Replacing of window or doors.Slide47
Four types of churches
Healthy- vibrate mission goal centered
Early signs of sickness
Those that are very sick
Declining congregationsSlide48
StatisticsSlide49
Sypmtoms of sickness
Attitudes is that the best days of the church are in the past
Worship attendance has declined in the past five years
No concrete plan for making disciples
Busyness replaces evangelismSlide50
How to fix the problem
Pray that GOD will open the eyes of the pastor and church leaders to seek out opportunities to reach the lost
Take an HONEST look at how the church members spend their time being involved at church
Audit how the church spends the Lord’s money
Make specific plans and goals to reach the communitySlide51
Plans and Goals
Must be specific
Who- is responsible, is in charge, is coming
When- for how long
What- is/are the goal(s)
Why-what is the reason for doing it
How-what will be needed to make it a reality
Goals numerical value
Must be reasonable
Must be obtainable
Must be recordedSlide52
Logic model
GOAL
Responsibility
Deadline
Accomplished
Outcome
Repair all the lighting outside the church
Trustees, Mr. Bracy Scott
Dec. 1, 2013
Nov. 19,
2013
Mr. Scott took the responsibility and fulfilled the task which gave greater vision during night servicesSlide53
Very sick church
Numbers have been declining or stagnant for ten or more years
Periods of apathy. Periods of unresolved conflict
The church is not known in the community.
New members are rare.
Revolving door of pastors.
“good ole’ days” were twenty years agoSlide54
Too late
Most very sick churches have at least three of these which makes it almost impossible to overcome.
But it will depend entirely on how the church respondsSlide55
How can they respond
The church must admit and confess that they have a dire need
The church must pray for the wisdom and strength to do whatever is necessary
The pastor and the congregation must be willing to make some radical changes
These changes must lead to “ACTION” and must focus “OUTWARD”Slide56
The dying church
No one wants their church to die, but they do.
DIE WITH DIGNITY
Sell the property and give the money to another emerging church not Red Cross, RCCCC, etc.
Give the property to another church
If possible allow another church group to takeover leadership responsibilities
Merge with another
church groupSlide57
what’s next
What can you do to see that this doesn’t happen to our Conference?
Vision
Attitude
Leadership
Understanding
Enduring ExcellenceSlide58
What is vision?
“If you do not have a defined vision for your church the loudest member will define it for you.”
Vision is desired
Vision is direction
Vision is defining
Worship Him
Walk with Him
Welcome others to HimSlide59
What is vision?
Vision is dynamic
It is us in action not just activities
It is us in motion not just a movement
Vision is driven by GOD
If he is your CO-PILOT it means you’re driving
“Most people love Jesus as a savior but don’t desire Him as a role model”
It is our job to make Him the role model for the churchSlide60
What an attitude!
We can’t afford that
We’re a small church
We don’t have any young people/children
People don’t want to hear what we have to say
Why do we need drums
they are too loud
We’ve-always-done-it-this-way
They both work
They have insurance
He knows what he’s doing
She could quit if she wanted to
He’s so cocky
She’s so bossySlide61
Leadership development ph 3:12-14
What the world teaches
We can have a great family before we learn how to be a good spouse or parent.
We want to grow a congregation rather than growing congregants
We want to be followed before we ever learn how to lead
Teaches us to expect the reward before we put in the effortSlide62
Leadership Cont’d
The person who thinks they are leading and has no one following is only taking a walk.Slide63
“”Under”standing
GOD
Scripture
Pastor/Shepherd
MenSlide64
Excellence
God is always looking for the best
Sacrifices without spot or blemish
Church without spot or blemish
He doesn’t care about your ability he is looking for your
availibilitySlide65
Test results/usage
student
prophecy
pastor/shep
teaching
exhortation
Giving
Mercy
Evangelism
Administration
Service
899
35
39
40
40
32
33
31
40
35
36.11111111
80.2
278
38
39
37
39
36
39
36
34
36
37.11111111
82.4
888
39
39
36
38
36
38
33
33
34
36.22222222
80.4
999
33
33
33
31
27
27
27
33
34
30.88888889
68.4
275
31
42
24
36
33
29
37
31
38
33.44444444
74.2
264
35
35
33
36
40
37
33
39
40
36.44444444
80.8
472
38
37
35
30
32
25
34
33
37
33.44444444
74.2
770
25
27
29
30
23
35
33
23
30
28.33333333
62.8
437
43
43
44
39
36
11
40
43
41
37.77777778
83.7
35.22222
37.1111111
34.5556
35.4444444
32.778
30.4444
33.777778
34.33333333
36.11111
34.41975309
76.34444Slide66
test
Using what you have learned this week please classify the church which you currently attend.
Give clear examples why you feel this way.
What would you say is the vision you have for the church you attend? Do others members share this vision?
If you have a vision is it clearly stated? If so, state it here.
What plan is in place to help this vision to become a reality?
State it here