Leaders are Calming and Hopeful in Crisis
Sometimes leaders have to deal with crisis and controversy. Certainly it’s not a pleasant part of their job, but it’s none-the-less important. It takes integrity to stand up and do or say what’s right, even if it’s unpopular.
Leading with Hope
That was the case with the 9/11 terrorist attack. People were shaken and stunned. One study found that 90% of American adults exhibited symptoms of stress following the attack, and 44% displayed substantial amounts. That week, church attendance grew 6% as people sought answers and questioned their futures.
My son lived in NYC during 9/11. He explained that just a few months later several colleagues changed their careers, with many going into nonprofit or church work. It wasn’t an easy time for President Bush, the heads of the NYC Police and Fire Departments, Pastors and Rabbis or any leader. Yet, the crisis demanded that they step up and bring a sense of calm and hope to people they served.
Prominent NYC Pastor Tim Keller commented about 9/11,
“…We have to grasp an empowering hope for the future. In scripture we have the promise of resurrection…the restoration of the life we lost…(Shortly) after 9/11, I was diagnosed with cancer and treated successfully…the future resurrection…was my real medicine.”
Keller explained further that in Tolkien’s Return of The King…after the ring is destroyed, Sam wakes up (resurrection-like) thinking he and his friends are dead. He discovers everyone is alive. He exclaims: “Gandalf! I thought you were dead…I thought I was dead! Is everything sad going to come untrue?”
Keller concluded, “The answer is YES…If the resurrection is true, then…Everything sad is going TO COME UNTRUE.”
Taking Action Based on Fact not Fiction
In light of hope, we should be better equipped to deal with crisis and sadness when they emerge. However, my “equipping” was certainly challenged during a recent incident. Specifically, it’s the overinflated, fabricated crisis where grown adults unjustly harassed and intimidated Covington Catholic High School students (CC). While media bullies quickly joined the barrage, their attacks lacked substance.
In fact, the students were there for a pro-life rally, which says a little something about their demeanor. Kids at pro-life rallies aren’t prone to initiate altercations, which should lead one to seek more information. However, very few did that. In fact, even when new information emerged shortly after the event, the boys continued to be harassed and demonized. Shamefully, that harassment was so grave that several boys and their families received death threats. Even our company received several nasty phone calls and emails. Why? Because we’d done some work for CC. We described that work on our website because we’re proud of our association with CC. It’s an outstanding school, and the criticism was irrational and out of control.
So is this Where America is Headed?
I hope not. Stopping it requires leaders who are willing to stand up and calm tension rather than ignite it. With the CC students, adults actually initiated their harassment and no other adults intervened. On sketchy information, the press took an adversarial position and developed a bogus story. However, if they desire any credibility at all, they need a bit more objectivity in their reporting. Unfortunately, once they saw those MAGA hats all objectivity was lost.
Objectivity can certainly be resurrected, but not when the only leaders around are kids. The CC students clearly represented themselves, their families and their school well. They maintained a non-combative demeanor and eventually walked away; would that more adults might model their behavior. If the press seeks credibility the formula is simple: lead with integrity, report accurately, stop the sensationalism, and (wishful thinking) maybe even try church!
Performing Beyond Expectations
Creating and Adding Value
Quite a few years ago Frederick Reichheld and several colleagues at the Boston consulting giant, Bain & Company, were trying to explain growth and profit disparities among companies in the insurance industry. As the team explored evidence from a number of different companies they found something they didn’t anticipate. First, they realized that traditional competitive strategy models did not apply in industries where knowledge and intellectual capital were primary assets. Then, they searched further and learned that when companies were able to earn superior levels of customer loyalty and retention, they grew faster and earned profits that were consistently higher. They also learned that customer loyalty is closely linked to employee loyalty, which is earned by creating and delivering superior customer value.
Inspiring Loyalty and Creating Profitability
Reichheld and his colleagues tested the findings in other industries and discovered that they applied there as well. He explained, “… creating value for customers is the foundation of every successful business system. (It) builds loyalty, and loyalty in turn builds growth, profit and more value…. Profit is indispensable, of course, but it is nevertheless a consequence of value creation….” Essentially what Reichheld and his colleagues found is simple and yet profound. When leaders perform beyond expectations and enhance the customer experience in ways that add value, it inspires loyalty and increases profitability. It also turns customers into stakeholders, people who see themselves as having a stake in the future of the company, team or organization.
The Cal Ripken story provides an excellent illustration of this point. True, you might not normally think of athletes as leaders, yet lead is exactly what he did. In the season of 1995 when Mr. Ripken broke Lou Gehrig’s record of 2,130 consecutive games, he certainly performed well beyond any contractual expectations. Sure people may have had expectations for him, but by going above and beyond those expectations he created great value for the fans and inspired loyalty. From a market perspective, going to see one of Mr. Ripken’s games was perceived to be well worth the price of admission. There was value, not only in seeing a game but also in watching an outstanding performer make history in an incredibly graceful and benevolent way.
Benevolence and Commitment to a Higher Purpose
For example, he did not bask in the glory of his accomplishments, as he might have been expected to do. Instead, he took advantage of the opportunity to call attention to (ALS) the dreaded disease that claimed Lou Gehrig’s life. In a move that speaks to his character, Cal Ripken set up the Cal Ripken, Jr. / Lou Gehrig ALS Research Fund at Johns Hopkins to help with fundraising to find a cure. His unselfish commitment was demonstrated in his good sportsmanship and the way he gave back more than was expected to the game of baseball. It inspired fans and brought them out to the parks in great numbers.
In an environment of free agency and mistrust, this kind of commitment to a higher purpose is unusual but still very much admired. That’s why the leadership evident in what Cal Ripken did and how he competed became so inspiring. He’s clearly added value to the game and created a legacy that will not soon be forgotten. Whether they do it to benefit customers, employees or fans, when individuals lead this way it inspires others to follow. Performing beyond expectations as Ron Clark, Cal Ripken and others have done, provides benevolent examples of leadership. Beyond that leadership like this not only adds value to their organizations and its stakeholders, it also builds loyalty in ways that continue to be profitable.
Leaders Commit in Ways that Inspire Others
One of the most inspirational people I’ve met is Ron Clark. This incredibly gifted teacher is the winner of the 2000, Disney Teacher of the Year Award. He was Oprah Winfrey’s first, “Phenomenal Man” and he’s been called “America’s Educator.” Recognized worldwide, Ron’s been invited to the White House three times, appeared on the Today Show and he’s been interviewed by many nationally syndicated radio and television programs. He’s spoken about his educational philosophy all over America and is also the subject of the acclaimed 2006 television movie, “The Ron Clark Story.”
Seeing a need and responding
I had the great pleasure of hearing Ron speak on two occasions. Both times he had people laughing, crying and standing up applauding. Besides his incredible energy and enthusiasm, what’s inspiring about him is his unwavering commitment to children. Ron told me that after viewing a television program about schools in Harlem that couldn’t attract teachers, he packed his car and left his rural North Carolina home for New York City. He landed at P.S. 83, teaching a 5th grade class that school officials deemed “hopeless.”
Ron fought racial barriers and cynicism from educators, parents and the children themselves. He was spit on, laughed at and mocked during his time in NY. Yet, he persevered and eventually broke through all the barriers by demonstrating his care for the students. He was excited about what he was teaching and continued to believe in their capacity to learn. Certainly Ron’s approach was structured and his expectations were high, but everything he did was driven by love and respect for the children. And he used many innovations from rap, to dance…whatever he could to engage kids in learning.
Inspiring others to follow
Ron’s commitment motivated students to excel in their subjects, earning the highest test scores in the school. Additionally, most of them were admitted to the most exclusive middle school in Manhattan. Ron developed creative techniques and 55 rules that helped him succeed. Yet, his unwavering commitment to kids was really what caused students to follow him. That commitment also led him to found The Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta for underprivileged, underperforming children and he inspired others to help build it through fundraising. Clearly Ron is inspirational. He’s inspired these children to achieve at the highest levels, and he’s also inspired many others to be more effective as leaders.
Ron told me that teaching is his calling and primary work in life. Leadership cannot really occur apart from this kind of deep and abiding commitment to organizations and their people. As leaders commit this way, sometimes they also inspire that same kind of commitment in others. When that happens, it motivates people to act productively on organizational objectives.
Lacking commitment can be costly
Whether the organization is a school, church or business; an erosion of commitment to the purposes and people is costly. In fact, research clearly demonstrates that customer and employee attrition cost untold millions each year in lost productivity and increased marketing, recruitment and acquisition expenses. Essentially attrition is a manifestation of a lack of commitment, which typically comes from relational shortcomings of some kind. A customer service representative is rude, a teacher ridicules a student publicly (causing him to shut down), the only time an alumna hears from her college is through the mail when they need money. Relational breaches like these occur daily and they can be devastating for organizations.
Still there is a way to conquer these breaches. It starts simply by listening, learning and applying the lessons about motivation that are demonstrated by leaders like Ron. You might find that difficult, but you’ll also find it rewarding!
Happy New Year!
I thought I would begin 2019 with some words of wisdom from a master leader. Several years ago I spent three days hosting coach John Wooden at Bellarmine University. Louisville’s coach, Denny Crum, was instrumental in helping us get Coach Wooden (his mentor) to come here to Louisville.
The coach had won 10 National Championships in 11 years, but he didn’t spend a lot of time talking about sports. Instead, he spent a good portion of his days with the students at Bellarmine, sharing the kind of wisdom he shared in this TED Talk. When he did talk about sports they were used as an analogy for the larger truths in life.
I was privileged to get to know him and to interview him for my book on leadership. This 17-minute TED Talk is entitled, The difference between winning and succeeding. I trust you will enjoy it as much as I did. We apologize if the link did not work correctly before. Here is the video again.
Here We Go Again
So here it is, December 18th, almost Christmas and then a new year! So I must ask, how did we get here so fast? I haven’t even had my usual annual treks through department stores yet. Of course, online shopping has helped greatly.
Still I like getting out with the masses this time of the year. I enjoy simply watching people, and the closer we get to Christmas, the more frantic people seem to become. For example, the other day at Target I heard a group of girls talking about career aspirations. “Oh yea, I’m going to be a teacher. You get summers off and also all of those holidays during the year. Plus you get to work with kids.”
Then I stopped by Walmart to find Christmas decoration sales. I overheard a couple in a fight. They both wanted to get the right gift for their little daughter, but one spouse was a bit more curious than the other. The woman found the perfect present and then found a more perfect one.
After several iterations of this, the guy finally grabbed the doll his wife selected earlier and threw it in his basket. Then he announced to his wife and the rest of the world that he was leaving, and if she wanted a ride she’d have to follow him out of the store. That brought two thoughts to mind: 1) First, I began wondering about “Peace on earth and goodwill towards men” and 2) I was hoping that the doll had escaped unscathed and without injury.
Really, Christmas can be frantic, and I’m as guilty as the next person for speeding things up rather than slowing them down. It actually takes concentration to settle into Christmas. In fact, every year we tell ourselves that this year we’ll slow it down and enjoy the season, but the season doesn’t always cooperate. So here are a few ideas to fight the busyness:
- Smile frequently, make it a point to say hello to more people and wish them a Merry Christmas. Though it may seem small, it’s amazing how this can lift your spirits and truly enjoy the people around you.
- Do something for someone who can’t pay you back. For example, this year an 11 year old Massachusetts boy named Brady Procon paid off a layaway bill of $327.27 at Walmart. He wanted to do the generous deed because he realized there were kids less fortunate than himself.
- Make time for relaxation. If you purposely block out time for reading a book or watching movies together it may help you get into the season. I try to read at least one or two Christmas themed books annually and we watch several Christmas movies.
- Conduct an Advent wreath ceremony leading up to Christmas. Information is available online, but essentially it helps the family contemplate the great spiritual purpose for which Jesus came to earth…to redeem us through His eventual death, burial and resurrection. There are typically 4 weeks of Advent with prayers and candle lightings for each week. However, since our grandchildren are young, we do it all in one night.
- Have a birthday party for Jesus with cake and all. It is both fun and instructional. It focuses on the birthday of Jesus, but you can accompany it with a short story about why He came.
- Don’t be afraid to say, “no” to invitations. Sometimes we simply tell folks the truth; we have a family night planned. Setting boundaries is important when it threatens to cut into family time.
- Unplug from technology, so you can notice, listen to and focus on others. This one is self-explanatory.
And finally, to you and yours I wish you a blessed and peaceful Christmas and a prosperous and healthful New Year! The weekly blog will resume in January.
How Churches Prosper and Grow
For several weeks I’ve been talking about reasons churches fail to grow and sometimes close their doors. Now today I want to discuss how churches grow. What is it in their DNA that accommodates and even encourages growth?
Of course, in many cases church growth comes for a variety of reasons, but there are also some fundamental factors that tend to induce church growth. They include the following:
- The church is clear on what it believes…In fact, most successful churches are clear on their beliefs. I’m a member of a very large church and it has been on a growth pattern for over 30 years. One of the things our pastor decided to do regularly is teach a “What We Believe” class to new people interested in joining the church.
To the extent possible, he wanted everyone to understand the main doctrines of the church. Of course, this doesn’t induce growth by itself, but when most people understand the church’s mission, values and main doctrines, it makes it easier for them to embrace the church and motivates church members to invite others.
- The church is friendly…There is nothing worse than visiting an unfriendly church. When people are welcoming it attracts others. Hopefully, most homes are friendly places, and you expect the same from your church home.
- The church empowers its people…When people are part of the decision making process at the church…when they’re allowed to do things to serve without someone looking down their collective necks…they tend to assume ownership. This can mean anything from doing janitorial work to Facebook postings to visiting the sick, etc.
Of course, it requires that church leadership also give up some control. I’ve often said that a church can have engagement or control of its membership, but it can’t have both. This assumes also that the church acknowledges the contributions of its members and celebrates their success!
I remember one church that had a very successful campaign…so successful that they created a multi-page booklet to commemorate the event. The only problem was that in the entire booklet the person who chaired the campaign wasn’t mentioned once. He got over it, but he expressed that it bothered him.
- The church cares for its pastor…At least part of caring for your pastor is empowering your people to help. Pastor burnout is real, and so is pastoral attrition. When the church cares for its pastor, usually as a person with a spouse and children who can’t physically do everything, then pastors tend to remain enthusiastic about the church.
- The church has an outward focus…When churches are insular and focused on themselves, they tend to become territorial and selfish. It is quite contrary to the idea of service that Jesus intended. By contrast, an outward focus asks questions constantly like, “How can we reach more people and how best can we serve them?”
- The church’s music and messages are powerful and relevant and not compromised…Today, most people are not looking for watered down, feel good messages. They are dealing with serious issues and need something to hold on to. They want the truth presented in ways that help them both understand and cope with daily living…and they want music that soothes their souls and expresses their deepest feelings.
- The church challenges its people…If you learn about the life and sacrifices of Jesus and His disciples, you should be challenged. However, beyond the teaching there should be opportunities to challenge people to stretch and serve in a variety of ways. That could be giving to a church campaign or volunteering in one of many ministries.
Happy Thanksgiving
It’s hard to believe it’s almost Thanksgiving. I remember not too long ago posting a blog for the 4th of July. Wow, it’s amazing how time flies! However, this holiday is one of my favorites, because it’s a time still protected from most commercialism. It really is a peaceful celebration when families reflect on and share all of the good things in their lives.
My Research on Thanksgiving
As I was doing research on Thanksgiving I found that it actually had its roots in the Protestant Reformation. Prior to 1536 there were 95 Church holidays plus 52 Sundays. Reformers reduced the number of holidays to 27, but Puritans wanted to eliminate all church holidays including Christmas and Easter. They’d be replaced by days of fasting and thanksgiving.
The modern version of Thanksgiving is traced to 1621 in Plymouth, Massachusetts. The pilgrims were celebrating safe passage from England and a great harvest. That harvest came after miraculous rain that arrived in the middle of a drought. However the annual practice of celebrating this day really didn’t come until the late 1660s. Still it wasn’t yet an official holiday in the US. That didn’t happen until 1863 when President Lincoln declared the last Thursday in November to be Thanksgiving. And then in 1941 FDR changed the date to the 4th Thursday in November.
The Purpose of Thanksgiving
While there is much debate about the origins of Thanksgiving there is really little debate about its purpose. It was created to give thanks to God for what He’s given us. It could be a family, a job, a warm place to live, people who love us or many other blessings. True, some folks lack these things, but they still have purposes for which to give thanks. Now there are people who will argue for a more secular purpose, but to do that one would have to deny history.
The Pilgrims gave thanks, not only for safe passage and the harvest, but also for the freedom now experienced in America to worship as they pleased. In Europe, both the church hierarchy and the monarchy controlled their worship practices. Conversely, the Geneva Bible stressed freedom of worship in Christ and inspired the pilgrims. In fact, there were several explanatory notes in the Geneva Bible that were anti-monarchy and anti-church control of the believer.
The Freedom of Thanksgiving
Written by such reformers as John Calvin, John Knox, John Foxe, & others, the Geneva Bible embraced the priesthood of the individual believer. Common people did not need the church hierarchy to interpret for them. They were free to read and interpret for themselves. Accordingly, the pilgrims broke away from the Church hierarchy and met in homes to worship freely. Eventually they sought a more permanent freedom and risked their lives to sail across the treacherous ocean and come to America.
Apart from the study of history, we wouldn’t know the origins or the faith-driven nature of this great holiday. No doubt there are quite a few things to worry about these days, and these worries tend to bring anxiety. Though we see much trouble communicated in the daily news, I find that focusing on worries just tends to add to my anxiety. However, when I can be thankful for my blessings…my wife, children, grandchildren and friends…my health and so much more, those worries tend to fade. Maybe that’s why thanksgiving is so much more peaceful…we worry less and give thanks more.
My wish during this season is that peace will be true for you as well. To all of our readers, friends, clients, family and friends, I wish you and yours an overwhelmingly Happy Thanksgiving!
Why Churches Decline, Fail to Grow and Sometimes Close (Part 3)
In two previous blogs we began a discussion of 12 reasons why churches decline, people leave and they fail to grow. Topics so far include that the church:
- Is not being united in prayer.
- Is a place of conflict, gossip and judgmental attitudes, refusing to deal with sin.
- Is not friendly.
- Does not empower their people.
- Is risk averse and takes forever to make decisions.
- Is unorganized, the music is poor and the services aren’t engaging.
- Has the domination of a few strong members.
- Is a poor steward and always on the brink of financial disaster.
Now today we’ll look at the final four reasons. However, since I’ve heard many church leaders talk about the need to attract younger people, this blog will focus on why young people either leave or don’t attend church.
A LifeWay survey revealed that 70% of 18–22 year-olds stop attending church for at least a year. Likewise, Barna surveys reveal that most 20 year-olds leave church, never to return. Here are just a few reasons:
- The church seems unfriendly to people with legitimate doubts…It’s important to feel safe in asking questions and dealing with doubts. In one study 36% of millenials felt they were unable to ask their most pressing questions in church.
As a 13-year old, Apple founder Steve Jobs was a regular church attendee. However, he had questions regarding why God seemingly did nothing for the starving children around the world. His pastor gave him a rather simplistic answer and Jobs left the church never looking back. When people have doubts like this they should be taken seriously and addressed thoughtfully.
- They don’t feel connected to or valued by the people in their church. Psalm 130:14 says that we praise God in part because we’re fearfully and wonderfully made…and God’s works (including millenials) are wonderful. In 1 John 3:14 we’re told that, “We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death.”
When young people don’t experience that love in the church it’s not surprising that they leave. Churches are supposed to be communities where everyone is welcome. When they’re not welcome church growth stops and eventually that church dies either spiritually, physically or both.
- They believe the Bible contradicts itself, so they stopped believing in its teachings…It’s not sufficient anymore to respond to concerns by saying simply, “The Bible doesn’t contradict itself.” While that’s true, young people need more thoughtful answers.
For example, in “Answers to Tough Questions Skeptics Ask About the Christian Faith,” Josh McDowell and Don Stewart note, “Certain passages appear to be contradictory, but further investigation will show that this is not the case… remember that two statements may differ from each other without being contradictory. “
The authors explain this concept further with examples, but their answers are thoughtful and well studied.
- They don’t agree with the Church’s “simplistic and judgmental” attitudes towards sex or their antagonism towards science…In one study 1/3rd of respondents believe Christians aren’t flexible because they believe they “know all the answers.” Additionally, 30% believe the church is out of step with science and an equal percentage do not like the exclusive nature of Christianity.
There are several thoughtful answers to these objections, but they have to be presented logically and patiently. Jesus’ words were exclusive, but pastors need to earn the right to explain them by loving young people first instead of arguing with them.
In the next blog we’ll look at ways churches can address these issues.
Why Churches Decline, Fail to Grow and Sometimes Close (Part 2)
Last week we cited some alarming data on the state of churches in America:
- 62% have experienced either no church growth or declines in their congregations.
- 65% have less than 100 congregants including children.
- More than 2 million have left the church every year for the past 7 years.
- In just 8 years the % of Americans calling themselves Christians has decreased from 78% to 70%.
We then began to discuss reasons and noted that research demonstrates and our work confirms at least 12 conditions that negatively affect attendance. We began with 4 of those reasons including:
- Not being united in prayer
- Places of conflict, gossip and judgmental attitudes, refusing to deal with sin
- Not friendly
- Do not empower their people
Now this week we’ll discuss a few more reasons.
- Churches are risk averse and they take forever to make decisions.
Often churches are good at organizing committees to “study something.” They talk and debate, but in the end wind up not taking any action. Often their lack of action is a direct result of their lack of faith and not seeking God’s direction. In Romans, Paul challenges us to present ourselves to God and our members to God as instruments. That implies action…not inaction.
- The church is unorganized, the music is poor and the services aren’t engaging.
When we first moved to town we had a variety of church experiences before we found our church home. At one church we filled out a response card but then never heard from anyone.
At another church there must have been a quarrel between the choir leader and his singers. He and three others were in the choir and he said in a rather red-faced manner, “It’s nice to see so many of our choir members sitting in the audience.” After that he violently led what was left of the choir in “Victory in Jesus.” And to top it all off, the preaching was at best mediocre.
Neither my wife nor I wanted to deal with the lack of follow-up, poor preaching or drama that we found at these churches.
- Domination of a few strong members.
One church was thinking about organizing a capital campaign and they were seeking our advice. As I probed, I found that some of the elders were perplexed. Evidently they had very reliable information that the pastor had been having an extramarital affair with a woman in the church. The members of their group wanted the pastor to resign his duties, but there were others representing powerful voices who wanted him to stay.
First, it surprised me that this was even an issue. Second, I told them they were not ready for any kind of campaign until they dealt with this issue. Specifically, I felt that they needed to confront the other elders with the evidence and get on the same page. Then they needed to confront the pastor with the same evidence, ask him to step down and leave the church. After that they should tell the members that he was asked to leave, “for cause”.
- The church is a poor steward and always on the brink of financial disaster.
Whether it’s a church, a school or a sports team, people want to be associated with a stable organization that is achieving great things. That is certainly true of a church. Churches should not only teach good stewardship they should live it and report on their actions. If churches live beyond their means and always ask for help to bail them out, something is wrong. After a while, people stop caring and they leave.
Next week we’ll look at the last 4 reasons for declining church attendance.
The Church Today is Facing Some Serious Issues
Increasingly world trends penetrate that traditional safety barrier of the church. Whether it’s the “Me too” movement, marital infidelity, financial scandals, etc.; church staff need to be prepared. In fact, a recent Christianity Today article listed the top 5 reasons people file lawsuits against churches:
- Property Disputes – A Minnesota court recently ruled a local congregation could keep its church after leaving (PCUSA)…It was a dispute between liberal and conservative factions.
- Sexual Abuse of a Minor – While this has declined recently, for the previous decade this issue made up more than 1 in 9 church lawsuits…
- Personal Injury – Church improvements in handicap accessibility and property maintenance have decreased such suits, but pastors still need to be vigilant.
- Insurance Coverage Disputes – This covers a whole host of issues, so pastors should be sure that policies are as comprehensive as possible…fire and water damage, abuse allegations, building use, personal injury, liability. HR and more.
- Zoning Issues – Church neighbors now sue for noise, Sunday morning traffic, free speech, or just plain bias.
In most cases these issues were not part of the seminary curriculum. Therefore, few pastors know how to deal with all of this. They need advice and help from well-equipped members. There are also other concerns emerging that include but aren’t limited to the following:
- A Lack of Planning – On a fairly regular basis churches come to us to help them raise millions of dollars. Often when we begin to ask questions about their planning, they don’t have answers. In fact, a few of them haven’t even discussed what we’re asking. We’ve found that effective fundraising usually comes from a planning process. People who may support a capital campaign, also want to know that you’ve thought about this up front and you’ve done your due diligence.
- A Lack of Gospel Centered Preaching on Stewardship – The need for increased church operational funding is growing. Yet we often find that pastors avoid preaching on stewardship, even though it’s part of the full counsel of the Gospel. People need to understand Christ’s call for us to give and to help others, and it’s the pastor’s job to ensure that’s happening.
- A Tendency to Allow Politics to Invade the Pulpit – In any given church members have mixed political views. However, when pastors share their views it tends to polarize the church. Sure, some may agree with the pastor, which makes it friendly and inviting to some, but potentially that can extract a huge price. Others, who may disagree with the pastor’s political positions, can find the culture unfriendly and hostile, which defeats the purpose of the church. The church should be a place of respite, where people find spiritual guidance and support while learning to put things in perspective through Gospel teaching and community. The church was never intended to be a political action committee used to mobilize Christian forces. Instead, churches tend to flourish when they keep the Gospel front and center and apolitical. In fact, there is a direct correlation between a pastor’s political pronouncements from the pulpit and their loss of spiritual authority.
- Our People View Traditional Christian Morality as Extreme, Antiquated and Hazardous – Rising tides of individualism in the US are clearly affecting the church. It’s all about “looking out for number one,” regardless of what happens to others. Witness the political bickering, pleasure seeking and public confrontations we see daily. Such individualism has now entered the church and challenges Christian morality. How often have people rationalized, “I know the Bible says this, but that was written for another time?”
Can the church survive this? No doubt, but it will take prayer, awareness, insight and vigilance on the part of pastors!