I am ceding my article this month to Dr. Thom Rainer, President of Lifeway Recourses, former Dean at the Billy Graham School at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and leading church strategist. I do not think there is much I can add to this succinct word to the church. I pray we will heed the call.  (Personal commentary in parentheses JW)

Change or die.

That is reality for churches today.

Of course, I am not talking about Scripture, doctrine, or spiritual disciplines changing. Those things are constants, never to be compromised.

But much of what we do in our churches must change. And, unfortunately, many church members and leaders resist change. They seek stability and comfort over obedience and sacrifice.

Let’s look at five key reasons why stability is bad for a church:

1. A stable church is not a church on mission. The very nature of the Great Commission means our churches should be in constant change. A church member blasted a pastor for his efforts at leading the church to reach unbelievers in the community. She castigated him because “those people are messing up our church.” Sigh.
2. Comfort is the enemy of obedience. Review all the examples of obedient persons in the Bible. In every case, they had to get out of their comfort zones. Too many church members want stability because they don’t want to experience the discomfort of obedience.
3. Stable churches are not reaching their communities. The communities in which churches are located are changing. Many are changing rapidly. If a church seeks comfort, it is not willing to make the necessary changes to impact the community it was called to serve.
4. Stable churches do not create new groups. Show me a stable church, and I will show you a church that is not creating new groups or Sunday school classes. Show me a church not creating new groups, and I will show you a church that is inwardly focused. The members are spiritual navel gazers.
5. Members of stable churches want the focus to be on their preferences. They want church “the way it’s always been.” They are more concerned about getting their way with music style, room temperature, and precise starting time of worship services. In their latter years, they are able to sing, “I did it my way” rather than “I did it God’s way.”

There is nothing biblical about a stable church. In fact, the stability is really just an illusion. Those churches that seek stability will ironically change the most rapidly toward decline and death.

(C.S. Lewis said, “The church exists for nothing else but to draw men to Christ. If they are not doing that, everything else is simply a waste of time.” The time is at hand for our churches to get down to business with God like we have never done before. We must pray like we’ve never prayed, serve our Jerusalem like never before, and make Christ known in every way we can with an urgency that recognizes our communities are most lost now than in previous decades. Stability is not an option. Churches/Pastors/Leaders must be willing to do “whatever it takes” to reach a progressively lost and dying world to the transforming power of Christ alone!)

Following Him,

Jim

    This month we will be celebrating a Week of Prayer for  Associational Missions May 21-28. 
    Our goal is $25,000.  We have already had anonymous ministry partners step up and have offered up to $10,000 in a matching gift for this offering!  The offering will be used 100% for Church Planting in the NKBA! 
    We have church plants under way in:

• Dry Ridge (at Mercy Ridge Community Church with Pastor Josh Hildebrand), 
• Fort Mitchell (with Pastor Van of the Zion Chin Baptist Church/Burmese), 
• Florence (with Pastor Joshua Kim at Good Shepherd Church meeting at Florence Baptist’s Greenview Campus), 
• Erlanger and Covington (with Pavel Urruchi at Erlanger Baptist and South Side Baptist Churches), 
• Walton (Bill Page at Crosspoint Church), 
• Covington, Redemption Church (Pastor Ben Brown) which meets at Ashland Avenue Church and will be adding services and ministry in the fall at what was the Oakland Avenue Baptist Church. 

    We have another ministry partner, Mike Rowe at The Avenue/Cornerstone Community Church in Covington who packs out two services at a storefront each Sunday morning!  People are coming to Christ on a regular basis through this ministry!  Mike has spent 20 years serving there and is from Erlanger Baptist Church.  I’m writing this after just left a meeting with leaders who will begin hosting a Chinese Bible Study every Tuesday night at the NKBA office and a Chinese School which will meet at our site on Saturdays (where Bible and Chinese culture/language are taught to children all born here in America) beginning in May!  We need additional funding to help these new works and partners to grow and become stronger! 
    SO, the first thing to do is PRAY!  “You can do more than pray after you have prayed; but you can never do more than pray until you have prayed!”  A guide for the week of prayer is available by insert on the NKBA website (www.nkba.org) or by request to our office.
    Offering envelopes will be available and mailed to you upon request, you can also give ONLINE on the NKBA website…a video link will be available next week to promote this emphasis with your church at services, on your Facebook page, and on your church website! 
    God is at work and moving in NKY!  The NKBA needs your support to see this good work continued as we continue to assist new work get started in our Jerusalem!  It is a joy to serve as your missionary!    

Following Him,
Jim 
Lead Follower/Director of Missions 

In a follow up to my March newsletter article blog “WHY MORE PEOPLE DON’T MEET JESUS AT YOUR CHURCH.” I’m going to seek to write each month for the remainder of 2017 about instilling a “WHATEVER IT TAKES” mentality in our churches. Be advised that whenever I highlight or use that phrase, I am talking about all that is within the boundary of Scripture. I can tell you now, that you are not going to agree with everything I write…but I DO promise you that each word will be prayed over intended to challenge the church to BE CHRIST in the communities where you serve. 

I’ve cited many times a Lifeway study that indicates that 8 out of 10 of the approximately 4000,000 churches in America are declining or have stopped growing/plateaued. Ground is still being lost despite the pace for new church plants (which ARE seeing growth in reaching people who are unchurched). SO, if this is true…what can we do? WHATEVER IT TAKES!!!

I have always been a student of trends and in this case it is studying what do churches do that ARE growing versus churches that are not? Let me first say this and say it clearly, Scripture and experience are clear: 1) God intend that living things grow. 2) God causes true growth to happen. 3) God works through people to accomplish His mission, to cast vision for the future, and to disciple people for His glory.  94% of churches aren’t growing as quickly as the communities they’re in. Now, let’s talk about the tension of what growing churches are doing today (Thanks to Dr. Thom Rainer, Lifeway, Dr. Ed Stetzer, Rich Birch, Carey Nieuwhof, and Brandon Kelley for these insights). These are NOT in order of priority.

1. Staff Led, Elder Protected Governance Structure.
Look at the statistics across America and you’ll discover that growing churches have very few congregational votes. They voluntarily limit voting to the development of an annual budget, on the appointment of leaders who oversee the work of the churches (committees, teams, staff), calling a senior pastor, and on anything that has to do with adding debt, sale/purchase of property. These congregations have one-two “business meetings” per year. These churches are staff led or led by a team of Scriptural Elders (Acts 14, I Timothy 3, 5, Titus 1, 2) instead of purely congregationally led. I know this isn’t always an easy transition for churches to make, but it is a clear principle in looking at churches of all sizes that are healthy and growing today.
 
2. Courageous Leaders Who Pray Boldly And Take Bold Action. Church leaders shouldn’t JUST be PRAY-ers they should be DO-ers. PRAY and OBEY for there’s no other way.
 
3. A Genuine Heart for the Lost and Desire to Embrace the Mess.
The gravitational pull of human nature is toward SELF, NOT TOWARD OTHERS. Growing churches aren’t just conscious of the lost, they pursue them and are ready to take on the messes of life they may bring. Inward-focused churches are dying churches. To pursue the lost will often require church members to give up preferences/traditions on the altar of “WHATEVER IT TAKES!” “When your preferences keep unchurched people from the promise of Christ, it’s time to change your preferences (Nieuwhof).”

4. Engaging, Gospel-Proclaiming Preaching. 
Preaching in growing churches engages people on multiple levels (spiritual, intellectual, emotional) and is a tool to proclaim the Good News of Christ. “Preachers who can’t that “Good News” to the unchurched will speak to an ever-shrinking crowd because one day only unchurched people will be left (Nieuwhof).”

5. Children’s Ministry that Kids Don’t Want to Leave. 
This goes far beyond fun and games, but those are a part of it. Imagine kids being in an environment that allows them to understand God’s love for them while being invested in by caring adults who partner with parents to disciple them!

6. A Clear Path to Guide Guests to Become Regular Attenders.
Develop a clear and easily identified path to help guests make a “next step” to get connected at your church.

7. Leader Development and Empowerment.
EQUIP THE SAINTS (Eph. 4:11-13)! Scripture tells us to do it, but what does this really look like? Leadership development is something we know we need to do, but so many are at a loss when it comes to practically doing so.

8. An Intentional Small Group Strategy (that MAKES DICIPLES).
This can be Sunday School, small groups, life groups, discipleship groups, whatever your church’s small group strategy is called, these groups MUST be about teaching the Word of God and LIVING out a Christ-centered life together in COMMUNITY. “People are more connected than ever but feel more disconnected than ever (Niewhof).” You must have a clear strategy to “make disciples.”

9. A Clear Path to Guide Regulars to Become Members. 
To me, church membership is more than just agreeing with a church’s beliefs and showing up on Sunday’s. It’s about GENEROSITY…in serving, investing, and being a part of Christ’s mission. 

10. Shareable Church Communication that Inspires and Informs.
Too many churches do a poor job of communicating past Sunday morning. We can and MUST DO BETTER! Whether it is updating a website, starting a website, using Facebook, or other social media, or simply making a printed newsletter available in digital form.

As your Lead Follower, I am going to do all I can to provide opportunities to equip your churches/leaders to become more effective in each of these areas. Our BEST DAYS ARE AHEAD AS LONG AS WE DO WHATEVER IT TAKES to bring a lost world to the saving knowledge of Jesus.

Following Him,
Jim 

You have heard me quote that somewhere between 80-90% of churches in America are either plateaued or in decline. This is true regardless of size, denomination, style, or geographic location. The bottom line is that churches are simply not moving in the right direction when it comes to growth.

The Unstuck Group has research that says churches in America are only baptizing around 5% of their weekend attendance on average annually. In other words, a church of 500 is seeing an average of 25 people take the step to profess their faith in Christ and follow Christ in baptism. We had 22 churches reporting NO baptisms. Surely by God’s grace and our intention we can baptize over 500 people in an area where 68-85% of those living in our counties are unchurched, lost, and searching for God.

We CAN do better and WE MUST DO BETTER!

Paul Alexander, from the Unstuck Group identifies FIVE BIG REASONS WHY MORE PEOPLE DON’T MEET JESUS AT YOUR CHURCH.

1. CHURCHES ARE INSIDER FOCUSED. You’ve heard/read me say that most churches in America make decisions based on who they are trying to keep, instead of who they are trying to reach (Andy Stanley). THAT is the definition of INSIDER focused. Churches are some of THE most change resistant groups anywhere! Our practices, preferences, ministries, the language used, and the way we spend our money demonstrate we care more about people who are already in the church as opposed to people who have still not met Jesus. I’m concerned that we have salved our conscience by giving to world missions (which IS vital) but have totally neglected our own backyard (our JERUSALEM). It is impossible to deny the declining baptisms over the past 10 years.
2.       LACK OF INVITATION. Many people never say “YES” to following Jesus because they aren’t given the opportunity to do so. While a majority of churches talk about Jesus, fewer and fewer churches are INTENTIONALLY sharing the GOSPEL and giving people an opportunity to come forward and say “YES” to following Jesus, both IN our services and more importantly when we are ON MISSION IN OUR COMMUNITIES. 
3.       CHURCH HAS BECOME UNINSPIRING. Too many churches have taken the most incredible, inspiring, and life-changing news about Jesus and the hope of forgiveness, freedom, peace, and redemption, and turned it into an academic conversation. Facts don’t change lives. We must not be afraid to FEEL our FAITH…CELEBRATE our FAITH…and let our FAITH MOVE US…sometimes to tears…sometimes to lift a holy hand…people in today’s world need to see and want to be a part of something that has REAL POWER and changes lives! Jesus changes lives.
4.       PEOPLE ARE EMBARASSED TO INVITE THEIR FRIENDS.  Many are embarrassed that our facilities look like the 1980’s or earlier…they are afraid that their lost friends will not be welcome and will be treated poorly…they’re also afraid the music will be dead and the sermon will be boring.
5.       THE CHURCH HAS FORGOTTEN ITS MISSION. Church is not for Christians. It doesn’t exist for the people INSIDE the church. The church exists for people who don’t yet know Jesus.

You may not like this list, but it is true. It simply doesn’t have to remain true. The local church proclaims THE ONE WHO IS THE HOPE OF THE WORLD…JESUS! May we repent of our coldness, and choosing our preferences/comfort over the mission of Jesus.  Pastor Josh Butler said, “Our problem is not that we’re reaching for God while He refuses to be found, rather God is reaching for us while we’re clutching our idols.” OUCH…

…BUT GOD…

Following Him,

JIM

            I am so grateful for people who speak into my life directly and indirectly. One of those people is Dan Reiland, who is on the staff at 12 Stones Church in Atlanta. In a recent blog he reminded me of some of the basics of growing a church, no matter whether the church is large or small. “Growing a local church always involves risks and trades; there is no perfect plan. To reach more people risks depth and community. To maintain closeness and intimacy risks reaching more people.”

            In my 40 years of serving in the local church I have seen and pastored small churches that are shallow and served at large churches that had depth. Just as I have seen large churches that are stuck and no longer reach new people (but do a lot of sheep shifting from one church to another), and small churches that are growing like crazy by reaching new people. When that is true, the small church becomes larger! Thus, the constant tension between evangelism (reaching new/lost/unchurched people) and discipleship (growing a deeper intimacy with God as a follower).

            Here are some things I am sure of…

1. The church will NEVER HAVE MORE DEPTH THAN IT’S LEADERS! Programs don’t produce depth of spiritual maturity, leaders do.
2. TO STOP REACHING MORE PEOPLE IS TO BECOME SHALLOW. Friends, we don’t have a choice, the Great Commission is clear; MAKE DISCIPLES! “Discipleship by definition and logic must begin with evangelism.” To put this into our context, “if we have the same people in the same Bible study for years on end and nothing changes (the church or the people), THAT IS SHALLOW. The NT is filled with stories of life-change, miracles, and reaching people.” It is also filled with imperfect churches, imperfect people, “but reaching people was the purpose of the Gospel.” It still is…our MESSAGE is the same, our METHODS may change.
3. DON’T CONFUSE DEPTH WITH COMPLEXITY. I believe every church needs to focus on two basics: A) SMALL GROUPS (whether Sunday School or home groups) where people are systematically taught the Word of God and challenged to live it out in Biblical community. B) SERVING. People need to be engaged in serving others from day one (conversion) and never stops.
4. MATURITY IS DIFFICULT TO MEASURE. Maturity should be thoroughly based on scriptural principles, but I do not believe it is designed to be a long list of do’s and dont’s. Here is where I would start: 1) A vibrant prayer life and, 2) Tell your story of life-change and help others develop their faith story. If you want to flesh that out, go to Galatians 5 and look at the fruits of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control). Again, keep it simple, but even though difficult, it is possible to measure.

None of us ever fully arrive on this side of eternity, but scripture gives us a clear picture that maturity can be achieved. Living things grow. SO, whether you are in a larger church or smaller church, the need to “make disciples” remains the same.

 Following Him,

JIM