"The story is well known in many churches across America. Churches that were once large and effective are in decline. Attendance is down. Money is down. People have circled the wagons for survival to stave off the congregation’s demise. The goal is survival: more people in the pews, more money in the bank account, and maybe young people who will step up and take over. Saving the congregation is the goal. The problem with this is that God calls us into missional communities not into institutions. People outside the institution and most inside the institution really won’t give of themselves to save the church. Congregational survival is not a compelling reason for people to go beyond themselves. If survival was compelling them, the declining churches would soon thrive again. If survival was compelling them, the remaining few leaders would not be tired and worn out trying to save the congregation. (You can read the rest of the article by John Holm entitled: "Don't "Rescue" the Church: Rediscover Your Unique Mission" (Christianleaders.com)
If we were involved in the priority programs of the church such as: Evangelism: (Matthew 28:19-20) Ministry: (Matthew 25:34-40) Christian Nurture (Galatians 6) I don't feel our churches would be in decline; but we would experience spiritual, and numerical growth, just like the early church did in the book of Acts.
Yes, it falls on Christian leadership, to lead the way in these priority programs. It's time we humble ourselves, and stop pursuing, selfish ambitions, and start doing what is best for the Kingdom of God. Isn't that what the Lord called us to do? GP
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