For any believer who is solidly part of a local church, often one of the most difficult transitions is during the times of church expansion. Belonging to a church, making friends, settling into a place of service are all gratifying parts of Christian life to any dedicated follower.
A church may grow thru any amount of factors that can be disturbing for long time members. If growth occurs naturally, it is in general more gradual and doesn't have the effect of planned, intensified growth. When planned growth happens, that sometimes means it occurs through deliberate changes in environment, programs, staff and any other number of significant factors. What's been a reliable source of routine and comfort for existing church members becomes a significant change in everything they've known.
While in the United States, it's usual for folk to modify churches due to the smorgasboard style of choices, in this situation, strong church members are tested. Strong, conscious church growth is one of the most likely scenarios in which existing church members will be lost. Needing desperately to keep what they have grown to like, they regularly leave when those factors necessarily change.
To be absolutely clear here at the start is to assert that it is not God's will for you or any believer to pick up and leave your place of worship and service because more people are attending. But the full time christian ministry jobs of favored staff are lost during these times. People's families are seriously affected. We have got a large capacity for relationships and service. If done correctly, it should become an item of joy, not irritation in any follower.
There are scores of books, videos and online material that are telling about a lot of factors concerning church growth. One element that is obvious for the way ahead for a church is that expansion improves the financial condition of pretty much any church. It also provides more of everything for all campus ministries including leadership and creativeness.
Many individuals today, have been in church for many years, are disturbed by changes in atmosphere such as music, lighting, building design, for example. Regularly they have got a disposition to accuse church leaders of compromising the message of Christ, pointing to these changes. The actuality is, that these are just perceptive modifications to keep current with culture. They do not mean compromising the integrity of the gospel.
Changes like those mentioned are important to keep churches from dying out due to dull the younger, more active people who are critical to a church's growth and future. No matter the power of the message, the display still requires people's attention to be kept. And in an age of dramatic technical sights and sounds, churches better stay abreast of methods while maintaining the rules of the message. To not do therefore is to sacrifice our churches to the rest of the planet that knows it's critical to keep up.
A church may grow thru any amount of factors that can be disturbing for long time members. If growth occurs naturally, it is in general more gradual and doesn't have the effect of planned, intensified growth. When planned growth happens, that sometimes means it occurs through deliberate changes in environment, programs, staff and any other number of significant factors. What's been a reliable source of routine and comfort for existing church members becomes a significant change in everything they've known.
While in the United States, it's usual for folk to modify churches due to the smorgasboard style of choices, in this situation, strong church members are tested. Strong, conscious church growth is one of the most likely scenarios in which existing church members will be lost. Needing desperately to keep what they have grown to like, they regularly leave when those factors necessarily change.
To be absolutely clear here at the start is to assert that it is not God's will for you or any believer to pick up and leave your place of worship and service because more people are attending. But the full time christian ministry jobs of favored staff are lost during these times. People's families are seriously affected. We have got a large capacity for relationships and service. If done correctly, it should become an item of joy, not irritation in any follower.
There are scores of books, videos and online material that are telling about a lot of factors concerning church growth. One element that is obvious for the way ahead for a church is that expansion improves the financial condition of pretty much any church. It also provides more of everything for all campus ministries including leadership and creativeness.
Many individuals today, have been in church for many years, are disturbed by changes in atmosphere such as music, lighting, building design, for example. Regularly they have got a disposition to accuse church leaders of compromising the message of Christ, pointing to these changes. The actuality is, that these are just perceptive modifications to keep current with culture. They do not mean compromising the integrity of the gospel.
Changes like those mentioned are important to keep churches from dying out due to dull the younger, more active people who are critical to a church's growth and future. No matter the power of the message, the display still requires people's attention to be kept. And in an age of dramatic technical sights and sounds, churches better stay abreast of methods while maintaining the rules of the message. To not do therefore is to sacrifice our churches to the rest of the planet that knows it's critical to keep up.
About the Author:
If you've ever thought about church employment it may be time to get some insight. Check out http://churchjobscoach.com for a comprehensive view of a long time church job.
Bookmarks