Solutions for Churches
Solutions for Churches
"forsake not the assembling of yourselves" Hebrews 10:25

SOLUTIONS
This page contains general information that seems to be omitted by or forgotten from most ministry training.  It is intended as a helpful tool and reminder to keep the basics in mind throughout all ministry involvements.

Many churches have no shortage of pastors and congregations full of faith and the love of God to share.  Unless a church promotes an idea that it holds the only true beliefs in God without encouraging attendees to read and understand the Bible for themselves, it can usually sustain at least some Christian believers in their faith.  There are a few common complications churches have that stifle growth and the building of people’s faith.  Generally no church has all of these difficulties but must be open and aware that they can be initiated suddenly and unintentionally causing an underlying loss of confidence; especially the confidence of would-be newcomers to the church.  In most cases, even the most seasoned and familiar attendees, especially those protecting their participation, will not share these types of concerns with the pastor or leadership for fear of appearing non-submittal, un-agreeable, or possibly trying to cause distractions.  This gives all the more reason for Pastors and leaders to hold themselves responsible for paying close attention to these specific types of concerns.

1. CONSIDERATION
Always consider people who are not attending, or have never attended, in every action because they do recognize the reputation of the church.  They see how welcoming a church is by whether it reaches out or is self-absorbed.  They feel the pressure of the church every time they are approached by a fundraiser or when an acquaintance is not well received.  Word spreads quickly whether the church tries to assist members and others who are suffering or minimizes such situations.  There are many people willing to help, even if they don’t attend.  But there is a multitude who choose not to be a part because they feel inadequate to: contribute, be received, participate, or are overwhelmed with their own needs.  Churches that have reputations promoting the rich and able are accomplishing their goals.  The overwhelming need is for those promoting noncompulsory participation.  Even the least interested in attending know that a churches ability to claim that faith equals a better quality of people is a sure sign of power struggles within and exclusion from those without. (Romans 3:23  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;)

2. FAMILIARITY
Be ware of long-term familiarity of leadership and attendees.  It is great to have long time participants in church but it can all too easily become a stumbling block to visitors, newcomers and outsiders.  Many churches have a reputation for asking visitors to keep coming to help sustain the financial needs and upkeep of the facilities.  Some have gone so far as to tell newcomers that they are not welcome because people are already in place to maintain their areas of interest.  And even more-so, the most rejected and sincere in need of faith-filled living are those who are not like the average attendee.  It has been crystal clear to hundreds of thousands working side by side with attendees that most churches don’t want them because they are different.  (Colossians 3:11  Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond [nor] free: but Christ [is] all, and in all.)

3. COMPETITION
Competition is not part of reconciliation or the Kingdom of God.  It is amazing how many executives and retirees who have succeeded in secular and commercial environments dedicate their free time to involving church in the same format.  But church is not a bottom-line business and the average majority of non-church-goers have no interest in competing for leverage there when already struggling to make a living.  Many companies are no longer willing to invest in people who don’t “know the ropes” of business, but it’s up to the church to “equip” the willing with concepts and provisions for the work of the ministry.  Any indication that a church is obligated to serve those more who give the most is a red light to those who would be interested in attending but are not. (Ephesians 4: 11And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:)

4. TRUE vs. SELF-INTEREST
It is easy to overlook visitors and attendees who are truly interested when there is a regular flow of those that are self-interested involved.  Many would-be visitors watching from outside have not visited because of minor but lethal oversights of those already familiar with the church and fellow attendees.  The Bible speaks of many people who chose ways of damage and destruction; sometimes they aren’t as obvious as most seem to think they are.  Multitudes of people have faithfully attended one or more churches for years with hope and quietly leave or no longer attend anywhere because of losing hope in church. (Matthew 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:)

5. COMPULSORY PARTICIPATION
Whether in services or extra activities some people want to participate and others do not.  The New Covenant eliminated compulsory participation and teaches to demonstrate complete consideration of each others interest in participating.  Extreme consideration assures everyone in and out of the church that consideration will extend to all personal choices.  Much can be accomplished when human wills follow God’s will.  But so can much seem to be accomplished with human will alone.  It is easy to use scriptures to promote activities that cause people a great deal of stress.  Human will puts people on the spot in many ways.  To test people’s commitment shows that the tester’s faith and confidence is in man instead of God.  The real difference is that God’s will enables those who are unfamiliar to grow and participate voluntarily without guilt for not meeting others expectations. (Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.)

For a church to have vision means to speak and act as if the vision is already being experienced.  Experiencing excessive growth means speaking and acting as if a majority are unfamiliar and patiently holding their hands with encouragement in the process of growth.  It has been said that church is the only place where the wounded get shot when they're down.  It is not "the church" that does this, it is "religion" and the more faith in God replaces religion the more successful we can be at accomplishing the great commission. (Proverbs 29:18  Where [there is] no vision, the people perish:)
This page was last updated on: September 16, 2007
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