As you think about the future possibilities of your church, now is the time to dream of what can be. There are times that we get to do that. When a church is a plateaued stage or in a decline stage, it is that time to dream. Get together with some other successful leaders and start praying how you could reengage your church for a new vision for some new church growth. Without prayer, then your reliance becomes frustrating because it is self-reliance, and not Holy Spirit reliance. I think there are many of us who can dream up new church growth strategies since we have had training in a that area. Let me let you in on a little secret: God is the One who directs your path, not you!
So, gather some interested, trusted, Kingdom minded leaders, get on your knees and pray and ask God for His leadership to move your hearts, souls, and minds, in a new direction and make room for more people to come to the cross! Isn’t that why we are here? Don’t ever forsake the message of the cross and inviting those to part of God’s movement. I have seen personally how God can revitalize a church: it begins with the pastor and the leaders. Without the leadership in motion towards revitalization, your church will continue to be what we call a declining church. It is ok to use this language in order to obtain clarity of the need for rebirth. Don’t allow what could be hinged to a few members trying to reclaim what was. What was worked for that time period, and would could be will work for this time period.
When a church becomes maintenance driven, the possibilities of what God truly wants to do are placed on hold. Maintaining the status quo is not a normal way of doing church. The world has changed around us, and so the church must also change. Methodology is in a constant state of change with a consistent Gospel message. Jesus came to teach a New Testament with the same message of a Holy God! He wanted the church to move forward with grace and mercy all the while knowing that God is still the same God! Even the teachers of the religious law were so set in the ways the church operates, they missed the opportunity to join in the Jesus movement. Let not forget that we serve a God who is constant yet in a fluid world. He moves in fluidity and a steadfast message of love and forgiveness.
Stay in the Light, 1 John 1:7,
Pastor Larry
In The Light, 1 John 1:7 