A Shift In Vision (Part 2)
Yesterday, we talked about three things that comeback churches should be. Today, again from Ed Stetzer and Mike Dodson’s book, Comeback Churches, we look at how churches get stuck. Do any of the following describe GPC?
Institutionalized Church: Many churches have regressed into a state of merely functioning as an institution. An institutionalized church focuses on and is more committed to the forms and programs of ministry.
Voluntary Association Church: VAC has unwittingly modeled its organization after a democratic government rather than New Testament principles. It is a church of the people, by the people, but most importantly for the people. Due to an overwhelming need to keep everyone happy, the VAC ends up bound, at the mercy of a rotating vocal minority, and ineffective.
“Us 4 and no more” church: They have determined that if they get any larger, they will lose their sweet fellowship. They want a family feel, which means a group small enough to relate like a family
“Square peg in a round hole” church: In this congregation, people are enlisted for leadership and service, not by their gifts or passion, but by other criteria. You might hear, “We’ve got to fill this position. Who can you think of that we’ve not already talked to?”
“My way or the highway” church: This is the stereotypical church wherein the senior adults are given the new van to use on their apple orchard trips while the student ministry is asked to drive the old van because “those teenagers are so messy.”
Chaplaincy Church: The church hired its minister and expects the “chaplain” to be busy about meeting needs and making the church grow. It’s not uncommon to hear “Preacher, you need to visit Mrs. Gray. She hasn’t been feeling well.” The members identify the needs and the prospects and expect their pastor to respond. Despite the fact that the church’s ministry impact is limited to the staff’s time and abilities, the church body remains committed to an employer/employee model. They want a hired “chaplain,” not a leader.
I can see Glenwood Presbyterian in several of these categories, but less so in the first three categories and more so in the last three. We are deeply ingrained in the “square peg,” “my way or the highway,” and “chaplaincy” pitfalls.
In the next post, we’ll look at three faith factors which help a church regain a missional focus and according to this book are always necessary to lead a comeback church.
Posted by GPC.
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