Better Than One

I talked to a pastor about his Ministry Toolbox reports.  Two of his strengths were:  Worship and Discipleship.  One of his weak areas was Evangelism.  As we discussed these, he mentioned that one of the problems was changing the heart of the people.  As I was reading in my devotional book “Voices of the Faithful, vol 2″, today’s scripture was Ezekiel 36:26  “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.”  God is still in that business.

“Comeback Churches” book mentions that one of the strong comeback function is “Renewed Belief in Jesus Christ and the Mission of the Church”.  I suggest that you consider preaching a series of sermons that relate to Jesus Christ and how he connected to people.  The Gospels are full of Jesus meeting people that illustrate how we can bring people to Jesus.  Neil Cole in his book “Organic Church”, asks the question,  “Are we bringing people to Jesus or are we bringing Jesus to the people?”  Both are right.  Jesus often went to the people but at other times, people came to Jesus.   For people to have a change of heart, they must see Jesus and his love for others. (Visual Bible is a good resource to see a positive Jesus as it literally follows Matthew NIV)  Take time in sermon preparation to think of how your people can use this picture of Jesus and people in their lives.  Help them apply the love of Jesus.

Revelation 2:4 says, “Yet I hold this against you:  You have forsaken your first love.”  Many of our congregations and people have lost their first love.  Read Ronnie Sivells blog before this one “What’s Hampering the Church?”  Could it be that our people have lost their first love?  Mike Glenn in his Tuesday night meetings with young adults at Brentwood BC in Nashville uses a guided prayer to emphasize prayer before worship. (Examples are in Mike Glenn’s book “In Real Time”)  That might be a good idea for your sermon series about Jesus.  Transformation of our people must have a foundation of prayer.

All of us know that the church at best is struggling. Look at your own church! Is it healthy, vibrant and growing or is it anemic and stagnant? Why is the malady of stagnation in the local church more often the problem than not?
I just want to make some general observations.
First, it is probably true that many that have come into the church have never truly been converted. You cannot build a healthy church with members that are not saved. Secondly, among the converted, there seems to be little discipleship going on. Most of our members are shamefully ignorant of the scriptures and our young adults and teenagers seem to be the very worst. Whose fault is this? Could the blame be laid at the feet of those of us who are to be the equippers of the saints?
Perhaps it is time we take a fresh look at what we are doing in our individual churches to help members know how to live a life that pleases Christ. We find that instruction in the Bible and our people need to be led to read it, study it and meditate upon it. Pastors, we need to model our conviction of the importance of the Bible in the pulpit and in our conversations with those we lead. Many of our members will think no more of the Word of God than we do.

James Dobson said if we didn’t have crisis in our life, would we ever pray?  Some time I wonder.  Prayer should be the first step before we take our next step.  When we need to decide, prayer should answer our question.  Like sheep, can we recognize the shepherd’s voice?

Jim Cymbala, is the pastor of The Brooklyn Tabernacle in Brooklyn, NY.  He says, “Here’s the reality we have to come to grips with – power cannot be taught:  it can only be received.  this is the limitation of preaching.  You can point people to Jesus.  You can tell them about the Holy Spirit.  But you cannot take the Holy Spirit and impart power to them.  Only God can do that.  The goal is to get people to God.  He alone imparts power to His people, and power comes in the answer to prayer.”  If you have not read his book “Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire”, take time.

“God want us to come to him empty-handed, weary, and heavy laden.  Instinctively, we want to get rid of our helplessness before we come to God.  But prayer is bringing your helplessness to Jesus.  The very thing we are allergic to – our helplessness – is what makes prayer work.  It works because we are helpless.  Weakness is the channel that allows us to access grace,”  says Paul Miller. 

Many churches that I visit are talking about having a revival.  I usually ask,  “Why?”  Do we want to have a revival to reach the lost?  Do we want a revival to revive us?  There is nothing wrong with a revival but how many happen with little preparation, prayer or otherwise, and no specific purpose.  Byron Pulus says, “Revival and the practice of passionate, persistent prayer are inseparable.”  Dr. Richard Fisher tells us to read Psalm 85 to hear from God.

1. Revival is God’s gracious gift (vv. 1-3, 5-6)
2. Revival is evidence of God’s faithfulness and covenant loyalty  (vv. 1-3, 7-8)
3. Revival is based on God’s Word  (vv. 7-8)

We should be praying for our country.  Others should be joining us as we fall on our knees.  The scripture 2 Chronicles 7:14 is brief and simple but gives direction.

“If my people, who are called by my name,

will humble themselves and pray and seek my face

and turn from their wicked ways, them will I hear from heaven

and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

Prayer is the foundation to our church, life, relationships, and country.  We cannot be reminded too much!

“revive” magazine is a publication of Life Action Ministries – the summer issue is all about prayer.

I was visiting last week with David Tucker at Sherman BC and he mentioned he was reading “essential church?” by Thom and Sam Rainer.  In trying to keeping high school students in church, he takes time during his Sunday sermon to walk in front of them and relate some part of his sermon to them.  That is not hard to do but how many pastors are speaking every Sunday to their students. 

 Have you read “essential church”?  Many churches want to keep and find young adults for their congregation.  Based on research conducted by LifeWay Christian Resources, the nationwide survey of more than 1000 young adults uncovered another ominous trend:  fading percentages of church attendance among young demographics.  From 50% among pre-World War II builders, the number sinks to 34%for “busters” born 1964 and ‘77, and 29% for “bridgers” (1977-94). ” These numbers have remained the same as each generation gets older.”  says, Thom Rainer.  “So we eo have a little bid of a crisis.  We’re losing our young adults.”

Importance of Small Groups  – One prescription the associate pastor of a Florida church outlined is small groups.  Whether that means cell groups, Bible studies or Sunday school, he pints out that 83% of those involved in a small group are still in church five years after joining.  Among those who only attend Sunday services, the retention rate drops to 16%.

Why They Leave 

• They simply wanted a break from church
• Left for college or had work responsibilities
• Don’t feel connected to people there
• They disagreed with the church’s stance on political or social issues
• They decided to spend more time with friends outside the church

Start by simplifying

• Simplify the path members can follow to discipleship – Ministry Blueprint:  What is your church going to do to help people become more like Christ?
• Your purpose/mission statement must be clear
• Alignment or getting everyone  on board with the same process
• Focus – Eliminating outdated committees or programs

Ed Stetzer has written a good young adult book entitled “Lost and Found”  His research team surveyed almost 200 church to search for trends and found these common characteristics:

1. Creating Deeper Community
2. Making a Difference through Service
3. Experiencing Worship
4. Leveraging Technology
5. Building Cross-Generational Relationships
6. Moving Toward Authenticity
7. Leading by Transparency
8. Leading by Team

One other excellent resource is “in real time” by Mike Glenn, pastor of Brentwood BC in Nashville area.  He decribes how his church created Kairos, a young adult worship ministry.  Kairos means “appropriate time” or “fullness of time.”  Kairos describes the right time to tell the punch line of a joke or the right time to pick a piece of fruit from the tree.  Kairos, the young adult worship experience on Tuesday night, is about creating that right moment for someone to encounter the risen Christ.  Take time to read this jouney of young adults who have reached the Nashville community.

Please don’t spuander one bit of this marvelous life God has given us.  God reminds us, “I heard your call in the nick of time;  The Day you needed me, I was there to help.”  Well, now is the right time to listen, the day to be helped. 

- 2 Corinthians 6:1-2  The Message

John Ryder is the new DOM at Boones Creek Baptist  Association .  Boones Creek Assoc. owns a camp that connects to youth, children, and churches.  John recently asked the questions, ”Why do we have a camp every year?  Why do we go though the work and worry?”  So he started to check records.  He found the following:

“Summer 1954 Boones Creek opened for the first time.  In the 56 years since then, there are records for the number of campers for 42 of the 56 years in the association minutes.  The other 14 years they had camp but didn’t recored the numbers.  There were 350 – 600 campers each summer.

Salvation Decisions:  1,951, an average of 46 per year for the 42 years.  Re-dedications were almost the same numbers.

Each camp session offers a week of intense Bible study, fun and games.  There are a total of 4 weeks of association camps divided by age groups.  A different Boone’s Creek Baptist Associaion pastor serves as camp pastor each week.  They preach a sermon to the campers each night.  They were and are the pastors fortunate enough to have lead the 1,951 young people to Christ.

Young people have accepted the call to youth ministry while working as staff at the camp.  Young people have accepted the call to preach while at the camp.  The staff undergoes an intense interview process and background check before they can work with the children.  They are also trained on the Child Protectiopn Plan and the Emergency Plan.  The staff for the most part were campers at one time.”

When I was in my first church, my pastor thought every child needed to have a camping experience.  So we offered a children’s camp at Montgomery Bell State Park in TN.  It is so important to strengthen families, help children become independent, learn to get along with other children, obey leaders, and listen to God.

I’ve heard Ed Young, Jr. talk about how his mom and dad encouraged him to attend camp.  He said it had such an impact on his life and future.

Kentucky Baptist Convention sponsors two state camps.  Cedarmore Camp is at Bagdad and Jonathan Creek Camp is at Hardin   Both have conference centers.  You can find information on the KBC website.

Camp or No Camp?  And the answer is CAMP!

I really do not like conflict at church, work, or home.  But being involved in all three, I realize that you cannot avoid conflict in any ongoing situation.  You can be careful and not step on hidden mines but eventually one will get you.  How do you handle conflict?  Do you enjoy conflict?  I have been with people at work, church and couples in  marriage who delight being involved in conflict.  Some times we get touched or drawn into their mess.

In the Leadership Team at Kentucky Baptist Convention, we have great, prepared, and experienced leaders who will provide conflict resolution with your congregation.  It takes time, energy, and willingness to put everything on the table and have a third party assist you in looking and listening to yourself.  It is not an easy process.  Karl Babb can assist you in this area.

Have you thought about being conflict proactive with your congregation.  Instead of reacting to conflict in the body, why not better prepare your people to handle conflict.  When I supervised other staff members, I always discussed conflict in our initial meeting.  I told them we would have conflict at some point or other so I wanted them to know how we could approach conflict with each other.  In the first 6 weeks at a church, I think the pastor should have a conflict sermon.  If you are beyond that early stage, preach a conflict sermon once every year.  It could help your people better  relate and love each other.

Most congregations and people want to use Matthew 18:15-19 as the foundation to handle conflict in the body, but I think Matthew 18:20-21 does a better job at simplifying what is needed to resolve conflict.  Forgiveness is at the heart of moving beyond conflict to unity.  Many other scriptures talk about right Christian attitudes that we need to present and shared.  The body is a family of God that needs to be transparent to the community.  They do not need to be called dysfunctional and a congregation that is always arguing. 

Three G’s for Confrontation

1. Glorify God(I Cor. 10:31)  You can glorify God even in the midst of conflict.  “How can I please and honor the Lord in this situation?”
2. Get the log out of your own eye (Matt. 7:5)  Before you confront, ask yourself if you have a critical, negative, or overly sensitive attitude that has led to unnecessary conflict.
3. Gently Restore(Gal. 6:1)  Remember to:  Pray for humility and wisdom – Plan your words carefully – Choose the right time and place – Ask for feedback form the other person and listen carefully – Recognize your limits (only God can change people)  Rom. 12:18,  2 Tim. 2:24-26  Condensed from “The Four G’s” found on www.PeaceMaker.net

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus”  Phil. 2:5

It’s not too late to start thinking about starting some new Sunday School classes, units, small groups, or branches.  One of the best guarantees for Sunday School growth is new units.  “If we always do what we ‘ve always done, we’ll always be what we’ve always been.” 

Virgil Grant at Eastside BC in Richmond mentioned in an e-mail that he wanted to start 20 more small groups this summer.  That got my attention!  He has campus small groups (SS) and community small groups.  His church understands  the difference.  Virgil’s church has moved from being Attractive to being Missional and now they are moving to become Incarnational.  Eric Swanson and Rick Rusaw have written a new outward focused book called:  “Quest:  Becoming the Best Church for the Community”.  Quest explains the Attractive – Missional – Incarnational process.

As I met with Bill Page at Crittenden BC, he stated four new classes that have pushed his Sunday School attendance from 100 to 120, a 20% change.  Starting new classes has not been easy but Bill has stayed committed to it.

Darrell Wilson, our KBC Sunday School director, has a blog:  Sunday School Revolutionary!   He has many entries that relate to starting new classes or units.  When our team went to Real Life Ministries in ID, we found them continually starting new small groups and they call it “branching” from John 15.

Starting – birthing – branching:  No matter what you call it, it is time to Just Do It!

Isaiah 54:2:  “Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes.”

Yesterday, I visited a church that was still excited over their “Find It Here” experience and “High Attendance Day” in Sunday School. I was able to speak to the office ministry assistant and she was so pleased to see many church members involved with this outreach project.

They had group leaders that enlisted others to join the “Find It Here” projects. They enjoyed the PrayWalking opportunity so they could connect with God and their community. When it came to delivering the gospel bags, everyone was ready to go.

One lady came by the church on the day she was to put the bags on the door. It was cold and rainy, she had not been well, and her partner did not show up. The ministry assistant suggested she could do this on another better day, but she said this was her appointment day and she was going out no matter what. Others came by concerned about her and wanted to go and find her. The ministry assistant told them she was fine and delighted to be able to do God’s work.

Sunday School “High Attendance Day” had class goals and every one was reaching out to find others to come. 109 attended SS and that was over their goal number. Over 200 came to worship that Sunday.

“Find It Here” helped move our churches out of the 4 walls and into the neighborhood and community. This should be the start and not the end. Several books are good resources: The Externally Focused Church by Rusaw and Swanson; Irresistible Evangelism by Sjogren, Ping, Pollock; Seeing Beyond Church Walls by Sjogren; The Church of Irresistible Influence by Lewis. David Crocker has been to a KBC annual meeting to explain his “Operation Inasmuch” that he started in Fountain City, TN. Crocker said, “believers must think of themselves as bridges joining the world to God. Such a task cannot be accomplished within the church walls.”

Keep loving your community. See where you can join others in ministry. You do not always have to start the ministry. If we are going to reach people, we must go to where they are and not expect them to walk into our buildings. The Great Commission says “As you go, make disciples”.
Where are you going?
OUTWARD?

The Progress Report of the SBC Great Commission Resurgence Task Force was published in the SBC LIFE Journal and several other places. Church finances and congregational giving have been discussed nearly everywhere since the Great Commission Resurgence and our country’s economic down spiraling with lost jobs and closed doors. Many congregations and associations are not meeting their budget goals and expenses.

At “It’s A New Day” training event, someone said that only 6% of our congregation tithe. Brian Kluth says 5-22% of our church members tithe. I tend to lean toward the 6% rather than the 22%.

When I was serving at Immanuel Baptist Church in Lexington, Ted Sisk once said that if everyone tithed at Immanuel, we could have a $7 million budget. I got thinking about that comment and wondered why we do not pray and work harder at having more tithers. I know people do not want leaders to talk about money. Jesus spoke about “kingdom” the most but in second place was “money”. We talk about money everywhere else but in church. “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” ( Mt. 6:19)

Why not take the 6% tithers and move that to 10% tithers next year. The next year move the 10% tithers to 15% tithers. The following year move the 15% tithers to 20% tithers. Now think about after 3 years you will have 20% out of 100% giving tithers. Well, that is not really that great! See how far we are from having our congregation surrendered with their giving.

This is not about just giving but loving our Lord. He owns the cattle on the thousand hills and is not in any kind of financial problem or going broke. Are we giving with open hands so God can continue to bless us or do we have clinched fists so He cannot get anything else into our lives?

KBC offers stewardship materials to assist your church giving. “Be an Encourager: Tithe” is material with book guide and posters to help you move your tithe % forward.
Contact Alan.Witham@kybaptist.org or Jenny.Byrd@kybaptist.org

Have you ever been lost? Of course, all of us have been lost spiritually, but that is not what I am talking about in this blog. Have you ever been lost directionally? Most all of us have, resulting in frustration and sometimes fear. If you are like the majority of us, particularly men, the last thing we want to do is stop and ask directions. We have the idea we will eventually find the right way.

The feelings are similar for pastors and churches trying to navigate in the right direction with church growth and health. All pastors have experienced the frustration of doing everything we know to do and yet still be lost on the highway of having a growing, thriving church.

The Ministry Toolbox, being introduced and made available by your Kentucky Baptist Convention, is an excellent place to find our direction. This tool can help pastors and churches determine where their church really is by allowing members to grade themselves personally in their Christian journey. None of us are likely to get on the right road to spiritual health until we discover which road we are presently traveling.

Could it be the Ministry Toolbox is the “service station” we need to pull into in order to find out where we are and where to turn in order to head in the right direction? Is a reality check long overdue for many of us as  we attempt to travel the often elusive road to church health?   Contact any of us on the Church Development Team and let us tell you more about Ministry Toolbox.