I Need One More Stupid Thing to Complete the List

10 Stupid Things Churches Do To Keep From Growing

I am thinking about writing a separate blog on each of these stupid things that churches do to keep from growing.  I need one more idea.  Do you disagree with any of them?  Would you change the list?  How about adding one for me?  Once the list is complete, I will talk about each one.


1) Trying to do everything.  Be Simple
2) Establishing the wrong role for the Pastor.
3) Provide a 2nd rate worship experience.
4) Settling for babysitting instead of children's ministry
5) Talent over holiness
6) Refusing to update the facility because it's good enough
7) Trying to be just like another church
8) Lifting discipline higher than reconciliation
9) Letting committees define the vision and direction
10)

Consistency - A Key to Remapping

Okay - back to the subject thought of Remapping -  What type of leadership does it take to remap a congregation?  I have good news.  It has nothing to do with your degree, where you went to school, if you live in the north or south or somewhere in between.  It takes Consistency! Consistency slowly begins to drive the vision further down the road.  In every meeting, in every message, in every lunch gathering... be consistent with the vision that God has given you. 

It is not difficult to follow a map when you know where you are going.  It is not difficult to get to your destination once you have determined it.  Sometimes it's hard to remap a situation when you are so close to it.  So, here's a thought or activity.  I do this all the time with businesses in the community. I think to myself, if I were the owner of this (fill in the blank) car wash, restaurant, dealership, grocery store, whatever... how would I start remapping.  Most of the time it begins with the employees.  Maybe it is a change in a menu or a cook!  Perhaps I would use more water or soap if I managed a certain car wash.  My ideas come because I think about where I would want to take this business.

A few days ago, I revisited a great place in Peoria for ice cream.  I spent so many nights there when I was in high school My girl friend worked there, so that was good.  But it was ice cream, chili dogs, tenderloins, shakes... and my friends.  The place is called Emo's.  I stood in line waiting to order a sugar free cone (that's one thing that changed) and I thought of the gold that has come into this business for over 30 years.  They do a lot of things right.  But if I were the manager, I bet I could think of some things to change. 

Here's an activity: How would you remap a local business in your community?  It is probably safer for your leaders to talk about a failing restaurant than it is your church.  Spend 30 minute on that.... then shift the question to remapping your church.

Guest Blog on Gay Marriage

This writing is from Wayne Cordiero and I thought it was well said.

 

We are all disconcerted about the Supreme Court endorsing gay marriages. But they didn't start this. 

We did. 

The Church began endorsing gay marriages long ago when a large portion of denominations began accepting openly gay people into leadership positions. 

We blame the US government for a such immoral rulings when they simply are following what Christian denominations have already endorsed. 

It might be energy better spent if we would repent and clean up God's house before we get too angry at the White House.

Remember: the Church will always lead spiritually and then we will see the results in the physical. God said we'd be the head ... for good or for bad. 

If we tolerate immorality in our churches, we will see it endorsed in our country. If we tolerate pride and self serving leaders in our churches, we will see the same in our government. 

It's wake-up call... but will we awaken?

What is remapping?

What is remapping?  Strategic change begins by remapping a congregation.  A congregation that is successful to the Great Commission and Great Commandment is constantly remapping.

Let me be clear about something.  Remapping is not changing bylaws.  Remapping is not about if you sing traditional hymns or new songs.  It's not getting a church to raise both hands or getting a church to settle down.  Remapping is not found in a mission or vision statements even if it's laminated.

Remapping is changing the thinking and actions of people in the congregation. It begins by asking questions like:

Why do we REALLY exist?

How could this church REALLY be serving the community that advances the Kingdom?

What would our calendar look like if we were REALLY outreached focused?

What is REALLY the best use of the pastor's time?

What would the agenda of your leadership team look like?

Take a few minutes in your small group, leadership team meeting, Sunday School Class, staff meeting... to discuss these questions