Recently, church growth "guru" Ed Stetzer posted a study of small churches. The study was completed by Lifeway Research. It specifically reflects on challenges for small churches. I'll summarize here. Opinions are welcome.
1. Time - Many pastors are bi-vocational causing pressure to juggle responsibilities
2. Resistance - Most churches are resistant to change leading to stagnation. The encouragement provided includes being faithful to God's Word and raising the "bar" of expectations.
3. Lack of Commitment - Apathy and indifference is prevalent in all churches. Small churches experience a greater impact with their ministry.
4. Too few workers - Many times, the pastor is seen as a "hired gun." This leads to fewer people with responsibilities.
5. Age of congregation - Young people aren't attracted to older congregations.
The church has to be intentional about reaching the younger demographics of their community.
6. Lack of money - Lack of "giving units" leads to less money leading to less ministry. Churches must continue to teach the importance of tithing.
7. Worldliness - The study points out "cultural seepage." In other words, catering to the community has caused the church to be influenced by the world.
8. Age of the pastor - Many pastors said they were too old to concentrate on outreach.
9. Too few people - Many said not enough help was available.
10. Demographics - In many ways, the community around the church was growing but the church was not growing.
Thoughts?
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4 comments:
Man, in my vast experience this rings very true! But this truth more than stings this brother - you know what I mean. I know the solutions suffix was meant to offer grace to a dismal reputation but I can't help feeling that there really are only certain kinds of people who can play the "small church" pastor game long enoug h to win. I also can't help but feeling that small churches are usually small for a reason (all the ones you gave)... After about six or seven years we would have to conclude that the problem is within.
I remember what my church planting classes from back in 1996 used to suggest for stagnant plants. First of all DON"T LET IT GET THAT WAY! But if its that way from the beginning the best thing to do is close up shop and re-initiate.
Enough said - thanks for the post
B
I wrote a brief response in the form of a pastoral lamentation on my blog. check it out...
www.crossexamined.wordpress.com
I'm impressed! A study that is actually on target. It seems that many do not recognize successes. In the case of many small churches they lack the since of community and the communities needs. They are not customer 1 oriented. We forget that it is not about us....it is about them, those in need of Christ!
Recently our little church has begun to do things at the park on a Sunday afternoon. Last year we did neighborhood cookouts. We are fortunate to have two full time persons in ministry. Our youth minister is youthful and full of enthusiasm. Our senior minister is in his late 30s and has a balance approach to his ministry. They are part of the demographic of our community. These two have encouraged our membership to participate. It is working slowly. So says Mike
I'm not a big believer in surveys because of how one can skew the #s. That said, I agree with most of what Lifeway found to be true.
What's interesting is churches that are experiencing conversion growth rather than transfer growth have destroyed the proverbial box. NO WE CAN'T RETURN TO THE FIFTIES! Sorry for yelling.
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