Renewing Dying Congregations

We are experiencing a season in which a larger number of churches are being closed. With a few exceptions, local churches and denominations, like all institutions, are born; they grow, and mature, they age, and eventually they die.

This reality is very often triggered by sociological factors rather than spiritual laxity. I will examine the impact of institutionalization, and some ways to counteract it, in my next post. When small towns shrink in size, the churches there find it difficult to survive. Churches in metropolitan areas become endangered when complex culture (see a description of complex culture in July and August, 2012, posts) replaces a large percentage of their traditional white middle-class constituency. The question, then, is: “What, if anything, can be done about it?”

A couple of decades ago, Harry Reeder identified some characteristics of dying churches, and suggested some possible remedies. I have organized them in the chart below.

REVIVING OLD “FIRST CHURCHES”

by Harry L. Reeder

What a Dying Church Looks Like	Some Possible Remedies
It has a reputation of being a church in decline. This reputation is more serious than the decline itself. Few are willing to begin an association with a loser.	Preach and exude a growth mindset that is both biblical and practical. 1.      Emphasize conversion – to receive Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. 2.      Reform what has been deformed including discipline. 3.      Renewal through joy and praise. 4.      Bring the congregation to a new commitment to mission. Change the image of the church 1.    The community does it for you. 2.    Other churches assign it to you. 3.    You earn it yourself. 4.    You may choose what you want it to be and then go for it. Image: "The communication of your biblical vision for the church to the members and through the members in ministry to the world.
There is a lot of nostalgia. The people dream about how it used to be.	Work on the worship service: reverent, positive, joyful. Seldom is a church revived that does not have a better than average pulpit ministry.
They are encumbered with a great deal of tradition. However, the last 50 people are the most loyal, if they will accept change.	Work at discipleship at all levels: II Tim. 2:2. Develop a new and viable infra-structure. Find positive events in the church’s past that can be included.
They have low expectations, and are prepared for defeat.	Instill a new vision as to what this church can be by the grace of God.
Disrepair is seen everywhere: a) the building, b) the program, and c) the people.	Break the chain of mediocrity: bulletin, sign, paint the church, preaching ministry, more prayer, remodel if possible. Break-down jealousy toward other churches.
They have unrealistic expectations, like a cancer patient running around looking for a miracle cure.	Work toward a transformation of the church at its deepest level of homogeneity.

HERE ARE SOME ADDITIONAL OPTIONS:

1.   Inculcate a new vision as to what this church can be by to the grace of God. Help the people to see what God can and will do when His people are faithful.

2.   The pastor can work on the worship service: a) reverence, b) positive attitude, and c) joyful.

3.   II Tim. 2:2 - the pastor works at discipleship at all levels, and develops a new and viable infra-structure.

4.   The pastor preaches and exudes a growth mentality that is both biblical and practical. Functional renewal will bring growth, i.e. attract and hold new people.

*     The reforming of what has been deformed—including discipline.

*     Renewal through joy and praise.

*     Bringing the congregation to a new commitment to serving the community.

5.   Break-down jealousy toward other churches.

6.   Work on a transformation of the church at its deepest level of homogeneity: new birth in Christ—while working on including everyone in the community.

7.   Change the image of the church; its image is formed in one of four ways:

*     The community does it for us.

*     Other churches assign it to us.

*     We earn it ourselves by our own good/bad decisions.

*     We choose what we want the church to be and then go for it. A definition of image: “The communication of your biblical vision for the church to the members and through the members in ministry to the community.”

8.   Break the chain of mediocrity: a) bulletin, b) sign, c) paint the church, d) preaching ministry, e) more prayer, f) remodel inside, if possible, and so on.
9.   The pulpit ministry: Reeder has yet to find a revived church that doesn't have a better than average pulpit ministry.
My next post will attempt a brief explanation of the impact of institutionalization on the Church, and what might be done to keep the Church fresh.
How is your church doing?

For more information and practical projects you can do to discover the make-up of the complex culture in your community, I would refer you to: Kauffman, J. Timothy. Reconnecting the Church: Finding Our Place in Complex Culture. Bloomington, IN: Xlibris, 2010. It can be purchased at Amazon.com, Barnes&Noble.com, the iBooks Store, and Xlibris.com; it is also in Kindle and Nook format. Check it out.