Why do some churches grow and reach out to the community while others do not? Can it be true that some are in a better location? Is that the secret of reaching people? Is it because they are in the right place at the right time?
Or, are their other reasons? Thom Rainer, President and CEO of Lifeway Resources, recently gave four reasons why churches aren’t breakout churches. I would like to take his four reasons why churches aren’t breakout churches and turn them into what you and I can do to become breakout churches. You can find the original article at Thomrainer.com.
What makes strong, growing churches?
1. Leadership Development. Let’s face it. Most pastors and other religious leaders have not been trained in leadership. John Maxwell popularized “Everything rises and falls on leadership.” The church needs a pastoral leader and many others who lead classes and ministries.
The good news is that leadership skills can be learned. Maxwell points out we are not born leaders. We learn leadership in much the same way we get biblical understanding.
2. A Strong Biblical Understanding of Church Membership. A Biblical understanding of church membership leads us outward to the lost; an unbiblical idea makes us turn inward to ourselves. Where do you stand in this regard?
3. A Clear Purpose. Why does your church exist? The purpose of FBC Covington is this: “We exist to help people know and accept Jesus Christ and through Him experience life-changing relationships.” We try to place this purpose statement in everything we do.
4. An outward focus. Thom Rainer says that 95% of the time and money in the typical American church goes toward members instead of those outside the church.
All of these are areas which can be easily–if not quickly–corrected. You–pastor or layperson–can make a difference in helping your church become a breakout church. You can find other ideas in this article.
May God bless you as you seek to lead and to honor Him.
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One Response
Indeed, knowing who you are and your purpose makes for success in God Terms.
Well said, a people who act on Romans 12:5 will survive and draw others to themselves. I recalled this morning my NOBTS trip to Israel as I read an article written by Tom Friedman who was reminding his audience about freedom and methods of dealing with terrorism he learned in Israel.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/17/opinion/friedman-bring-on-the-next-marathon.html
“I did not see this article. It reminds me of when I was in Israel in 1988. Our car window was smashed. One of the guys lost all his belongings. I drove through burning tires outside the Southeast wall of Jerusalem, made the trip into Lebanon in the north and the forbidden zone on the south, climbed Masada, floated in the Dead Sea. Yes, I agree with Tom, the Israeli’s have the right idea.
I spent a weekend at a kibbutz in Hazor where shells often fell. I was asked to stay. If I had not a family in the U. S. A. my answer would have been, yes.”
Romans 12:5
Press on toward the mark!
Blessings