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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