A pretty common challenge among churches has to do with the number of people in the pews on Sunday morning. In the words of a sainted mentor of mine from years ago, “there is more wood than people” meaning there is a lot more of the pew that is visible than there are people who sit in those pews. Ouch. The statistics bear that out with less people coming less often than in previous years and generations. The numbers of people leaving and the number of churches struggling or closing are sobering.
So what is the answer? How can we turn things around and “revitalize” the church? Many church members, leaders and pastors love their church with all of its quirks. But when they finally admit that the church membership is getting older, with less in attendance and less offerings to go around, they know they have to do something. But what? What can be done to turn this thing around? There are usually two approaches.
The first approach is all about attracting more people to the church. This is commonly referred to as the “attractional” model. This assumes that if the church just makes itself more appealing then more people will come.
The second is all about going into the community to meet and serve people. This is often referred to as the “incarnational” model. This view assumes that it is unlikely that people will come to church and so they need to go and meet people where they are.
The first approach includes ideas of things that bring people to your church: let’s have a BBQ with beer, let’s have a talent show, a baby sitting night, a concert, an arts and crafts show or a special speaker. This idea of attracting people often leads to ideas like we need to: change the worship style, change the name, change the programming to appeal to young people, change the pastor!
Yet is the basic assumption and idea behind this approach correct? Can a church freshen up its inside, outside and put some more life into their programing? Absolutely. But don’t fall into the mistaken thinking that this will attract or repel people from your church. (Okay, it’s always a very good idea to keep things clean and fresh). Don’t make the mistake of an easy fix to attract people. Our society has changed dramatically.
The truth is that people stay away from church for far more basic reasons: They simply don’t much care! They aren’t looking! They’ve gotten along quite well without the church, thank you! They couldn’t care less if you use a guitar or an organ! They couldn’t care less if you have a VBS or a concert series, a barbecue, beer or brats! The truth is that people in our society today see Christians, rightly or wrongly, as being hypocritical, judgmental, always after your money, too political - and - they do NOT see themselves that way. So WHY would they ever want to hang around a church with those kind of people? They wouldn’t! So please don’t think that “marketing” your church through some of these above changes will change anything. It won’t.
Perhaps the real problem can be illustrated through a not so imaginary story of the restaurant where none of the wait staff wants to work the Sunday shift. Why? Because of the people coming from church. They treat the wait staff like servants. They complain about the church service they just came from and they’re poor tippers. Why would they want to join those people in church? Programing or sprucing up the place will not fill your pews.
So what is the other approach to revitalization? What is this incarnational approach?
First, let’s identify what is given: God loves the world in Christ. God promises to speak to people through His Word when it is read, preached and taught. God works through the sacraments as means of grace. These are God’s promises and when people come in contact with them, He can and will do miracles for them, especially bringing them to faith in a risen Savior named Jesus Christ who promises love, forgiveness and an eternity in the joy and peace of heaven.
So what about this second approach to revitalization? It understands that people today have a neutral to negative assumption about the church, no matter its denomination, worship style or name. They are seriously not looking for a church. What people really are looking for are relationships, significance and integrity.
Our society, in spite of social media, is undergoing a loneliness epidemic. It has been widely reported by research and the news media. They are looking for relationships. In their associations with organizations and institutions they are looking for significance. They don’t want to waste their time if it is not worth investing in. It has to be something that makes a difference. Then finally they don’t want imitation or make believe Christians. They want the real thing and they can see a bait and switch appeal for membership coming from a mile away!
They will notice: Do you know my name? Will you walk beside me through good times and bad or will you just say “hello” if I come once in a while? They value significance: Are you making a difference in this community and in people’s lives? And they value integrity: Do you really mean what you say and live what you preach? Do you really walk the talk? They will see: is this church really about building the institution or is it really about Jesus?
What that means is we will not want to insult people by simply polishing up the outside of our churches and programs and hope people come. We’ll instead be an externally focussed church. We won’t wait for them to come to us but rather we’ll meet people in the community as we serve them. It will not be done with any strings attached. It is not meant to market the church or make us look better or more attractive. We won’t wear t-shirts while we do it. We’ll love people day in and day out in long term relationships. We will be genuine in our care and concern and affection and do it in the name of Jesus.
Will they come to church? Maybe. If people experience true loving community in such a relationship, if others who are yet far from Jesus are allowed to join in helping you do something of significance in the community, if people experience your integrity as a Christian along the way, they may ask you about your motives. They may ask about your church. They may also be testing you. The answer isn’t, “Oh I just like to help people.” It isn’t “please come to my church.” The answer is: “I am a disciple of Jesus. I am serving Him by serving you (or others) because that’s what He came to do.” Period. Then if we point them to Jesus, they may want to meet this Jesus who has made such a difference in our lives. It may even mean coming to church with you. Or, because of your example, they may go to their mother in law’s church. So if they do, God bless them.
Along the way, you personally will be revitalized and you will grow closer to Jesus. As you join hands with fellow members and unchurched neighbors who are willing to join your efforts to selflessly serve the community in loving ways, then perhaps more of you will be revitalized. The unchurched neighbors may make friends with Christians too. Then, God willing it will be a gracious, infectious revitalization to your church. People may even be baptized. There may be more people joining hands in praising God both here and in eternity! It will happen one person at a time as God wills. Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
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Scott Gress is called by Lutheran Counseling Services and partners with the FL-GA District of the Lutheran Church as an independent contractor. He specializes in Leadership Training, Consulting, Coaching and Coach Training. Contact Scott to continue the conversation or experience a free sample coaching session. 561-542-4472, scottgress@me.com or scottgress.com
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