Thursday, October 27, 2011
Can the right ministry team grow a church...
Of course not. God gives the growth. That's what God said thru Paul. So I am always amazed at church leaders who think getting the right staff in place will grow their church. And how if the church is not growing -- or even losing members -- then changing ministers is the answer. I actually hear people say that the problems in their church would be solved if they could get a preacher/worship leader/youth minister like ... and then they mention someone. I can only assume they are a fan of cloning. Or they want to steal someone else's minister. Or that everthing about their situation is exactly the same as the place that has the "just perfect" minister.
If it was true that the right staff is the key to growth, then what happens when they die, leave, retire, or quit? Growth ends? It is as if we can't grow because we can't hire the right ministers, and we can't hire the right ministers because we are not growing. And if not very careful, we end up hiring ministers to do the ministry for us. And they in turn construct ministries and programs to serve us. Study for us, give our kids faith, and do what we are not doing. If a church won't provide these things for us, we'll find one that will.
And yes, those of you who know me realize that I think we should hire evangelists. Worship evangelists, evangelists of the Word. Youth, Children, and Family evangelists. Let deacons organize ministry. Let elders pastor. Let evangelists evangelize. And train and motivate us to evangelize. To have ministries and programs that attract non-believers.
And it is easy as a minister to fall into the trap of taking care of the church. But some ministers get it. They construct programs to equip members for ministry, not just provide ministry. The see their ministries as evangelistic opportunities. And God uses them to grow churches.
The best ministers are not professionals. They are not effective because of their skill set. Or their training. Peter and John were incredibly effective ministers in the midst of the explosive growth in Jerusalem. I think it could be called a mega church. Acts 4: 13 identifies three characteristics concerning them.
They had courage. They had to talk about Jesus. You could not stop them. It was a calling, not a career.
They were not professionally qualified. They were unschooled and ordinary. Probably couldn't get a preaching job in most of our churches.
They had been with Jesus. They lived it. Walked the walk and talked the talk. People knew it.
So if you want to find the right staff to give God the chance to grow your church, then find people who have been with Jesus and are courageous. Find those who will preach, evangelize, and do ministry whether they are paid or not. If they have a great skill set also, then even better. If they have training and education to do ministry, that may help. But skills and training are worthless without a courageous life sold out for Jesus. And if you have that, God will use you to help grow an incredible church.
Given the choice between the two, I'll take Peter and John over the professional anytime. It doesn't have to be either or, but if it is... make the right choice.
And for any ministers that might read this... be courageous to follow the call of Jesus. God will use you. Always has. Always will.
If it was true that the right staff is the key to growth, then what happens when they die, leave, retire, or quit? Growth ends? It is as if we can't grow because we can't hire the right ministers, and we can't hire the right ministers because we are not growing. And if not very careful, we end up hiring ministers to do the ministry for us. And they in turn construct ministries and programs to serve us. Study for us, give our kids faith, and do what we are not doing. If a church won't provide these things for us, we'll find one that will.
And yes, those of you who know me realize that I think we should hire evangelists. Worship evangelists, evangelists of the Word. Youth, Children, and Family evangelists. Let deacons organize ministry. Let elders pastor. Let evangelists evangelize. And train and motivate us to evangelize. To have ministries and programs that attract non-believers.
And it is easy as a minister to fall into the trap of taking care of the church. But some ministers get it. They construct programs to equip members for ministry, not just provide ministry. The see their ministries as evangelistic opportunities. And God uses them to grow churches.
The best ministers are not professionals. They are not effective because of their skill set. Or their training. Peter and John were incredibly effective ministers in the midst of the explosive growth in Jerusalem. I think it could be called a mega church. Acts 4: 13 identifies three characteristics concerning them.
They had courage. They had to talk about Jesus. You could not stop them. It was a calling, not a career.
They were not professionally qualified. They were unschooled and ordinary. Probably couldn't get a preaching job in most of our churches.
They had been with Jesus. They lived it. Walked the walk and talked the talk. People knew it.
So if you want to find the right staff to give God the chance to grow your church, then find people who have been with Jesus and are courageous. Find those who will preach, evangelize, and do ministry whether they are paid or not. If they have a great skill set also, then even better. If they have training and education to do ministry, that may help. But skills and training are worthless without a courageous life sold out for Jesus. And if you have that, God will use you to help grow an incredible church.
Given the choice between the two, I'll take Peter and John over the professional anytime. It doesn't have to be either or, but if it is... make the right choice.
And for any ministers that might read this... be courageous to follow the call of Jesus. God will use you. Always has. Always will.
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Steve...I am enjoying reading your posts about church growth. My heart keeps screaming that it is not because of us that church grows...it is completely God.
I recently read another post on another blog where the girl was talking about a new book she had recently read. She shared this quote from the book:
"I don't view church growth in the same way I used to. Much of this change has come through my personal experiences both in serving as a pastor in the megachurch and as a church planter. Some has come through watching God move at The Austin Stone and other churches seeking God's kingdom over their kingdom. Some has come through conversations with proponents of the house church movement experiencing life-transforming breakthroughs. Here's what I've realized: in a city of more than a million people, it's going to take all kinds of sizes of churches filled with people committed to the mission and the kingdom of God. Our success will be a collective success - when God is glorified in our city." (p. 158)
I haven't read the book but it is called, "Barefoot Church: Serving the Least in a Consumer Culture"
Again, I have not read the book, but LOVED that he verbalized the reality that it will take more than one congregation...and that everyone must work together. It isn't about being the biggest or the most popular. It isn't about being the most trendy, or having the biggest, fanciest (fill in the blank here...building, playground, etc). It is about Jesus. Period. It is about finding a place where you can love and serve, finding a family.
I recently read another post on another blog where the girl was talking about a new book she had recently read. She shared this quote from the book:
"I don't view church growth in the same way I used to. Much of this change has come through my personal experiences both in serving as a pastor in the megachurch and as a church planter. Some has come through watching God move at The Austin Stone and other churches seeking God's kingdom over their kingdom. Some has come through conversations with proponents of the house church movement experiencing life-transforming breakthroughs. Here's what I've realized: in a city of more than a million people, it's going to take all kinds of sizes of churches filled with people committed to the mission and the kingdom of God. Our success will be a collective success - when God is glorified in our city." (p. 158)
I haven't read the book but it is called, "Barefoot Church: Serving the Least in a Consumer Culture"
Again, I have not read the book, but LOVED that he verbalized the reality that it will take more than one congregation...and that everyone must work together. It isn't about being the biggest or the most popular. It isn't about being the most trendy, or having the biggest, fanciest (fill in the blank here...building, playground, etc). It is about Jesus. Period. It is about finding a place where you can love and serve, finding a family.
Great thoughts Anne. Love that passage. Must get the book. Love the way you and Nathaniel live out your faith. Blessings on all your family. Love you guys.
I like your posts Steve, but unfortunately you are wrong on this one. I don't like it any more than you do, but the fact is, a staff can grow a church. There are both spiritual and scientific principles in church growth. You could put Rick Warren, Bill Hybles or Andy Stanly in any other major city in America, and they would make a church grow. Those guys could run GM. Again, I don't like it.....but that is what the church growth movement since the mid 70's has been about. AL
As I read your blog I cannot help but wonder why do people attend organized religious services?
How much is social? I wonder the same question in regards to the people who showed up to hear Jesus speak, and perform miracles, why did they go to see, and hear him?
It would seem if you can determine why people attend than you will be able to figure why they continue or stop altogehter.It might be an interesting questionaire to put forth to a congeration.
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How much is social? I wonder the same question in regards to the people who showed up to hear Jesus speak, and perform miracles, why did they go to see, and hear him?
It would seem if you can determine why people attend than you will be able to figure why they continue or stop altogehter.It might be an interesting questionaire to put forth to a congeration.
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