Why Churches Dissolve
From my good friend James Hayes’ weekly email blast called “Something to think about” comes this excellent two part post. James is one of the best young writers I know. I’m sure James would love to add you to his list (get on the one about spiritual matters, not the one on sports :) jfhayes@comcast.net). Incidentally, James’ dad, John, is the preacher at Beech Grove on Carter’s Creek. The whole family is a blessing to know.
Why Churches Dissolve: Part One
It’s sad when you drive through a neighborhood you have not visited for many years and you see a run-down, vacant church building. That church may have closed its doors for any number of reasons. Some reasons are purely sociological: the population has moved away from that area (usually from city to rural) and the younger people who once attended the old congregation are now attending a congregation closer to their new home or workplace. However, some churches have dissolved over time because their leaders (primarily) and their members became complacent.
If a congregation does not want to grow and the attitude becomes “We like our church to be this size,” then the regression begins. If a church is not moving forward, it is moving backward. When criticized because of the evangelistic methods he used, Dwight L. Moody said: “I like my way of doing it better than your way of not doing it.”
Unfortunately there are many churches of Christ that are content with having the same number of members, the same contribution figures and the same number of young people. When someone suggests doing corporate evangelism—newspaper or radio advertising, widespread door-knocking campaigns, clothing drives, etc.—he or she is met with responses like, “Those things don’t work,” or, “They know we’re here. They’ll come if they want to.” I have never known of a thriving congregation that has had that type of attitude.
Another factor that is prevalent in a dwindling church is negativism. Thriving churches rally around their leaders when new projects are announced. Declining churches criticize and second-guess their leaders over material matters like brick and mortar, paint colors, landscaping, grass cutting and decorations. These same members are quick to recognize the slightest down-turn in attendance numbers, but they are silent when gains are made. Negativism is not a fruit of the Spirit. Ira North, who preached for the Madison church of Christ when it was the largest church of Christ in America, often said, “Let everybody have his say and nobody have his way all the time.” He continued, “Can you imagine in your wildest dreams any successful American corporation saying that anytime one stock holder disagreed on matters of judgment and expediency they would not go with the idea?”
Also, congregations slide toward extinction when they drift from God’s word. When preachers and teachers offer stale, made-made philosophy to the members, indifference is sure to follow. The world already has Oprah and Dr. Phil. We should show
the world something that is much more powerful. “For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two edged sword…” (Heb. 4:12).
Why Churches Dissolve: Part Two
Last week we explored three reasons why certain congregations decline to the point of extinction. Those reasons were (1) a lack of evangelism, (2) a prevailing negative attitude among the members, and (3) a disrespect for God’s word. Any one of these factors could destroy a church, but if all three are present, that particular church will certainly cease to exist. This week we will expose three more issues that will do irreparable harm to a church.
First, a local church will decline in membership when any member seeks to promote an agenda instead of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Agendas can come from the “right” or the “left.” Someone has an agenda when he or she advocates a preacher, a worship style, a mission effort or anything else to the detriment of other worthy church activities. An agenda is someone’s mission—it is all they want to do. Members who have agendas will use every avenue available to them in order to see that their agenda is fully realized. If stopped by the elders, the person with the agenda will try to form alliances among the membership in order to “force” change. One segment of the congregation is often pitted against the other over the issue. This attitude and activity is condemned in Scripture. One of the seven things that are an abomination to God is “one who spreads strife among brothers” (Prov. 6:19). Paul corrected the Corinthian brethren for their disunity (I Cor. 1:10-17).
Secondly, a lack of love will ruin a church. Love motivated God to send His only begotten Son to earth to die on the cross (John 3:16). Love never fails (I Cor. 13:8); therefore, it should be extended to Christians as well as those who have not obeyed the gospel. Jesus said that every commandment in the old Law depended on the two greatest commandments: to love the Lord your God whole-heartedly and to love your neighbor as yourself (Matt. 22:37-40). Cold formality is no substitute for genuine love. An increase in love will bring an increase of souls to the Lord’s church.
Finally, a growing church must be a praying church. Conversely, a church that neglects to make their requests known to God (Phil. 4:6) will soon wonder where all of the members went. Once upon a time, Wednesday night services were called “prayer meetings.” All congregations should make prayer a central theme of their meetings. Prayer should be offered for the needy as well as the strong. Prayers should be made with an interest in God’s will being done (I John 5:14). We should not cease in expressing our love and thanks to God (I Thess. 5:17).
All churches will grow and prosper if they avoid agendas, love one another and pray without ceasing.
James Hayes
Bethel Church of Christ Joelton,TN