Relaunching A Stalled Church

"Turning Things Around"

Introduction:

As a local church goes through its life cycles, it goes through a number of experiences. Some of these will be high points and others will not be. When considering the local church in North America, it is currently being said that over 80% of existing churches are plateaued and declining. Why? Though a simple word for a question, the answers are varied and often unique to each congregation though there might be a similar pattern among most experiencing a decline.

Chuck Swindoll says, “organizations tend to lose vitality rather than gain it as time passes. They also tend to give greater attention to what they “were” rather than what they “are” becoming.” God’s intent and strategy is for His Kingdom on earth to be generational and transferable. In Genesis 50:24 the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob made it clear that generations would be the vehicle to propagate the message of redemption throughout history. Jesus gave us marching orders in Matthew 28:19-20 and the strategy in Acts 1:8 yet many churches today are stagnate and struggling to just survive.

The local church today seems to have misplaced its purpose, its power and its plan. While many believers “know” the church’s purpose but there is a disconnection between the purpose and the actual practice and structure of a church to implement the biblical mandate.

This guide is a tool to help existing churches to rediscover their God given purpose and plan for the church of Jesus Christ today. Once the leaders and people of the local church rediscover the Biblical pattern and plan of a New Testament church then the church can develop a comprehensive plan or strategy that serves as a vehicle to achieve God’s preferred future for that church in their community.

No guide replaces the care and guidance of the Lord. Take time to pray, read God’s word, and to listen to the Lord nudge you each day and each step of His way for you.

The first step is addressed to the pastor. It addresses gaining perspective, new opportunities, developing a new vision, and putting action with dreams. These are brief starting points that the pastor can think through in leading the congregation forward in turning the church around toward a revitalized life.

The next six steps provide a brief explanation and simple activities to help the pastor, leaders, and members of the congregation personalize this experience under God’s directions.  (later)