My friend James Emery White is one of the most astute observers of church and culture issues I know. In a recent article, he asks, “What if I gave you a list of 10 things that any church could do that would bring almost immediate renewal and growth?” Here are the first six he lists:
1. Simplify your structure by putting the authority to make most decisions related to the practice of ministry in the hands of those with responsibility. Translation: Let your leaders lead.
2. Hire young, platform young, program young. Why? You attract who you platform, and most churches are growing old.
3. Become more contemporary in terms of music and graphics, décor and topics, website and signage. It’s 2015. Really. You can check.
4. Stop preaching, and start communicating. There’s a difference.
5. Shift the outreach focus away from the already convinced toward those who are not. It’s called the Great Commission.
6. Prioritize your children’s ministry in terms of money and staffing, square footage and resources. Do you really not know, after all this time, that the children’s ministry is your most important ministry for outreach and growth? [Read the full list.]
Why don’t churches act on these items? Jim offers the sad but accurate conclusion: They don’t want to change.
Change is an essential for a dynamic, growing church, and it starts with leaders who are willing to be change agents. Are you ready for the challenge?
Blessings!
Michael Duduit
MDuduit@SalemPublishing.com
www.MichaelDuduit.com