THE NEW PASTOR SOLUTION - ISN'T

I’ve talked with a lot of churches facing uncertain futures who are looking for quick fixes. They have a lot of ideas, so do the consultants who proffer their wisdom for a price. Rarely have I seen one or two adjustments or strategies turn around a church which has been decades in decline.

IT’S NOT JUST ONE THING - IT’S MANY
When you begin unpacking the history of a church long in decline you’ll likely discover a plethora of decisions, challenges, mistakes and even embedded and never confronted sins that have conspired to erode spiritual vitality. Mix in division and conflict, season with spiritual apathy and you’ll understand why the soup is spoiled so to speak. A church like this needs more than a demographic report and a hospitality strategy-they need spiritual renewal.

CONTROLLERS GONNA CONTROL
If I had five dollars for every dysfunctional church story I’ve heard, involving a church bully, gate-keeper, an interfering former pastor, a long term secretary and cranky old patriarch/matriarch wreaking havoc and controlling the church, I’d be a pretty wealthy person. Instead, I’m sad and honestly a bit indignant. There is a strong correlation between controllers creating chaos and conflict and the efforts to bring renewal to a church. 

SPIRITUAL RENEWAL FIRST - STRATEGY SECOND
An honest reading of the letters to the seven churches in the book of Revelation shows us that some churches can look great on the outside (lots of churchy activity, correct doctrine, abhorrence for false teaching etc.) yet have hearts that are spiritually askew. Only a full repentant return to Christ will bring back spiritual vitality and blessing. 

THE SOLUTION THAT ISN’T - LET’S CALL A NEW PASTOR
Hear this, every church needs a godly, called, qualified and committed Pastor. Especially the unhealthy congregations-they need a shepherd who will care and lead the flock as an under-shepherd of the Chief Shepherd - Jesus. But, many of these unhealthy churches call a Pastor and put the full weight of the church's success upon his back.  Who’s gonna reach new people? The New Pastor is, because he’ll visit, preach amazing sermons and he’s younger than us-he alone will attract all our young neighbors.  (ignore the fact that we don’t pay him enough to be full time or live in the same community where our church is located, and that we only really want him to reach certain people from the neighborhood) Who’s gonna help our church thrive? The New Pastor is, with his fresh ideas, innovation, and his new degree from one of our seminaries! (disregard the fact that we’ll resist every new idea, that we’ll make a mountain out of every molehill, we’ll guard our preferences to the death-even those which aren’t grounded in scripture) Who’s gonna help the church grow? The New Pastor is, with his boundless energy and great personality! (overlook that we’ll burden him with outdated committee structures, endless frustrating meetings and our refusal to change, that we'll subject every initiative he suggests to a whole church vote, we’ll question every suggestion, offer our criticism rather than our prayers, support and service) Who’s gonna grow this church? The New Pastor is! (disregard the fact that scripture is clear-Jesus is the one who builds his church-as we obey and submit to His leadership through his undershepherds.)

ONE PASTOR CANNOT STOP DECADES LONG DECLINE - ALONE
When I hear church members and leaders advocate for the “New Pastor” solution I think of the scene below, from the movie Superman. Accelerated decline, imminent danger, certain demise if nothing changes. That’s the reality, that’s what will happen if nothing changes, it's also what will happen when church members, who called and voted for the New Pastor, resist, attack, build coalitions against, gossip about and launch an offensive against the one they pinned their renewal hopes upon. 

​​YOUR PASTOR ISN’T SUPERMAN - HE CAN’T SAVE THE CHURCH - JESUS CAN
Let me reiterate one more time - you need a godly, called and qualified Pastor. You (dear church member) also need a heart ready to repent, follow Jesus and your Pastor. A pastor can’t save a church because he can’t save you - he can point you to Jesus, he can preach the scriptures, he can appeal to you to lay down your life as an act of worship - but he can’t force you. Jesus saved you, he can save the church, but first you’ll have to grow sorrowful over your sin, repent, surrender and submit - and I know that isn’t easy, it’s just the only way.