How We Do Church Needs to Change
You know the old adage, “To continue doing the same thing over and over and expect different results is the definition of insanity.” So, we all know something is wrong with the American church. We all see the numbers, the decline, and lack of recovery since the pandemic hit. We see the embarrassing reaction of our people to the political climate as we judge one another over mask wearing, getting vaccines, or daring to suggest that there is a race issue in our country.
It is as if the last 20 months exposed the rank immaturity and lack of depth in the church-going population. The consequence is that anonymous surveys suggest up to 70% of clergy would change careers if they thought they could make it financially. We cannot just keep doing the same old thing, or the same old thing with a new little twist (i.e.: multi-site, coffee houses, smoke in worship, etc.) and expect anything to change.
It is time to do something brave! It is time to put it all on the drawing board and make everything we do in church stand up to the question, “Does this help us make disciples of Jesus?” We do so many nice things! We have so many nice meetings to talk about nice Christian concerns all while the real command of Jesus to make disciples is sadly neglected, if attended to at all!
I love to preach! I love the preparation and the joy of delivering a message that I believe God has led me to through His Word. But let’s be honest, we have made preaching way too important. We now measure a church by the popularity of their preacher instead of the fruitfulness of their disciple making ministries. We love size and big and progress while our King valued small and behind the scenes and faithfulness.
Millions come to church on Sunday expecting that inspiration from the worship team or instruction from the sermon will lead to life change. Well, the results are in, and the answer is a resounding “not so much.” Information will not automatically lead to transformation, which is the goal! We keep doing the same formula for failure week after week. Let’s have the courage to say, “Time out! Let’s see what is really happening on Sunday.”
We have made the huddle (Sunday morning services) the game! The huddle is only relevant to those who are playing the game on the field. We need to spend a lot more time with the folks who want to play the game than with those who just want to sit in the stands and cheer.
Sunday is the fishing pool for the disciplemaker to meet potential prospects for their discipleship ministry. So, let’s create easy ways on Sunday for these connections to happen. Let's give as much attention to creating a culture of disciple making as we do to cookies and coffee. Let’s spend less time on the casually curious and seek out the lost and desperate. Let’s make our church a place where 4th soil people (remember the parable in Mark 4) flock because they know they will be trained and equipped to give their life for the Savior.
I love music! I love all kinds, secular and sacred, rock and soul, country and classical. But we seem to have made music really really important and taking up my cross and following Jesus not as much. We are out of balance. Something needs to change.
Don’t get me wrong.
I am not lobbying for a more serious, legalistic, and moralistic religion! Please, no! I want LIFE IN CHRIST! I want joy, purpose, power, laughter, hope, courage, and intention for the Kingdom of God!
Let’s unleash our creative thinking afresh on church. On how to do Sunday morning. Let’s do something brave and bold for the sake of Jesus!
I can’t wait to see what you’ll come up with. ‘Cause something’s gotta change!
