Why Dying Churches Die

A preacher friend of mine recently shared an article by Thom Rainer[1] with the same title. Rainer’s article cites the following reasons why churches die;

·      They refuse to admit they are sick

·      They are waiting for the “magic bullet” pastor

·      They fail to accept responsibility 

·      They are not willing to change

·      Their solutions are inward focused

·      They desire to return to the past 

I’ve read two of Rainer’s books and a number of his articles and blog videos. I am convinced that Thom Rainer is more of a problem than a helpful mentor to a solution. I understand the desire to see the church we pastor grow. I understand that a church member would like to see his church grow. Most of us would rather not that they die, that’s for sure. Rainer, and men like him, seem to offer solutions. But are those solutions biblical? What if the solution helps to see a church grow, but in the process, it loses its distinctiveness and purpose. What if it becomes altogether different than the commission upon which it was founded? If the ancient Baptists had followed Rainer’s ideas, they would have just given up their ideas, joined in with the “going congregations” of their day, and spared themselves a lot of misery.

I offer a few different reasons why a church might die

The congregation loses perspective of what is life

A living church is not defined by the number that attend, the programs it provides, or the perceived energy in the services. A living church is defined by the truth it preaches. A small church, that is certain the truth is preached among them, will have the motivation to continue attending and continue reaching out to others. The only problem with being small is when the people perceive numbers to be an indicator of worth and therefore, stop encouraging others to come to hear the message.

The pastor loses perspective on his purpose

The pastor’s work is not to build a church. That work belongs to Jesus alone. The pastor’s work is to proclaim the Word of God truthfully.

The pastor loses confidence in his call

It cannot be said that Paul was successful in every field he worked. In a prison cell, awaiting what would be his eventual execution, he said, 

1 Timothy 1:12 (KJV)

And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; and later, 

2 Timothy 1:11-13 (KJV)

Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.

For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

If the preacher begins to evaluate his ministry based upon how many attend rather than what he has preached, he may lose confidence in his call, stop preaching passionately or stop preaching the truth.

Our world does not need larger churches. Our world needs more churches preaching faithfully the truth of God’s Word. Even if the congregation is very small, if the truth is preached, that lighthouse is alive with power, purpose and a need to keep on!

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[1] https://churchleaders.com/outreach-missions/outreach-missions-articles/308041-dying-churches-die.html?utm_campaign=meetedgar&utm_medium=social&utm_source=meetedgar.com

This is my answer

In a recent post between myself and a fellow preacher, I responded by saying, “A Reformed Baptist cannot be an independent Baptist because the reformation teaches the universal church.”

To that response, a younger man (not a pastor) asked, “Why is belief in the universal church antithetical to being IFB?”

This is my answer

You've asked a fair question. The answer I think is found in our understanding of what exactly is independent Baptist. (I wish to point out that both Pastor ....... and I used the term independent Baptist, not IFB or Independent Fundamental Baptist). There are, of course, many many IFB churches that believe in the universal church. I use the term independent Baptist to mean a church that is free and independent. We have no head but Christ, we are answerable to no other but Christ. Though a church may claim to be independent and believe in the universal church, the positions are doctrinally exclusive. 

The doctrine of the universal church is that IT is the true church and local congregations are mere representations of the true (and that not perfect). 

The doctrine of the universal ( the word comes from the word Catholic) church was used by the Roman Emperor to secure his authority over all congregations in his realm. 

Those churches that rejected his authority were persecuted. Protestant doctrine never rejected the Catholic Church concept of church, they just revised it to mean an invisible, universal church. According to Protestant doctrine, that universal church maintains authority over local congregations. So, as I understand it an independent Baptist must reject any form of the universal church in order to be genuinely independent and free. 

Marvin McKenzie

In the fields

A Novice Falls

1 Timothy 3:6 (KJV)

Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.

I recently received a note from a pastor sharing an article regarding the suicide of a pastor. The article is intended to urge Christians to pray for their pastors, realize they are just human and recognize the spiritual battle they wage. These are fair objects of action for the believer. May our blessed Lord stir in the hearts of His people to indeed pray for the pastors!

But there are some other subjects that ought to be taken into consideration. I believe that the current Christian culture exposes believers to the dangers of such a fall. (I wonder how many would consider suicide a fall? - I do not believe by this fall they lose their salvation and therefore did not go to heaven due to suicide. But the devil did get the better of them, did he not?)

We are enamored with the big church/megachurch concept

I understand. It feels like we can do so much more good if we have a large following. It feels like we could have so much more influence if we led hundreds, even thousands of believers. It feels like we are more obedient to the Great Commission if we win that many more, baptize that many more, have in our membership that many more. But it also feeds the pride of the flesh when we are successful in reaching that many more.

We have a love affair with the youth over maturity

The pastor, who was the subject of this article, was just 30 years old. At the time of his suicide, I understand he was an associate pastor in a Charismatic Mega-church and had ministries especially meant to reach out to those with mental health issues and suicidal tendencies. 30 years old and largely responsible for the welfare of hundreds who faced the same battle with suicidal thoughts he had. 30 years old. Has anyone heard the verse, 1 Timothy 5:22 (KJV)

Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure.?

We are guilty of placing too much pressure on the unseasoned youth

When we allow them, teach them, urge them to enter into the ministry at a young age and then place them in positions where the flesh is easily lifted up through power and influence, we expose them ourselves to whatever sort of fall these novices experience.

Marvin McKenzie

In the fields