Last night, somewhere between the hours of 2:00 and 4:00 am, a hypothetical question crossed my mind. If the price for Sunshine to grow by 1,000 new members was the cost of 1/3 to 1/2 of our current members, would you agree to pay?
I have been reading, Breakout Churches, by Thom S. Rainer. In the book, Dr. Rainer chronicles 13 congregations, he calls, breakout churches. These congregations have all experienced long periods of stagnation and/or decline, followed by a period of explosive and sustained growth. To be included in his study, the congregation has remained with the same leadership throughout it all. The book articulates the relevant findings of Dr. Rainer and his team, based upon extensive interviews and data from the breakout churches compared/contrasted to other (mediocre) congregations.
Though the content of each breakout church is different (i.e. memberships demographics, geographical location, socio-economic make-up, doctrinal emphases, and denominational background). The process through which these congregations proceed is remarkable similar. For insight into the specifics of that process, read the book.
One step in that process is crisis. The needed change, upon which explosive growth is predicated, often results in crisis before growth is realized. One key difference between breakout churches and their mediocre comparison group is the ability of leaders to stomach the crisis. In many cases, substantial losses were endured (up to 1/2 of one breakout church).
No one wants to be divisive. No one wants to see people leave. But, what if such a crisis is necessary? Do you have the stomach for it?
What do you think?
[Please note: I am not saying that growth cannot occur at Sunshine without such a crisis. However, if one takes Dr. Rainer's findings seriously, such hypothetical questions will cross your mind in the wee hours of the morning.]
Friday, March 17, 2006
Can you stomach growth? (hypothetical question)
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12 comments:
This is crazy. God adds to His church, not us. Would I give up half the people I love dearly to get bigger numbers on the board.... I can't conceive the thought. Something would be wrong if we could.
If God wants us to suffer a crisis, we're going to suffer a crisis. But we're going to suffer it together.
Sensitivity to the loss of any member of our fellowship is proper. Jesus did speak of a good shepherd who left 99 sheep to find one lost lamb. However, it was also Jesus who delivered a lesson that resulted in many of his disciples no longer following him (John 6:66).
Dr. Rainer's research suggests that many Christians will not accept the changes required for congregational growth. That forces leaders to make a choice, a very difficult choice. In reference to the leaders of the breakout churches, Dr. Rainer's team noted a common discipline, an intense prayer life.
Ok, I give!
I acknowledge that the above post could easily be perceived as minimizing the agony associated with the loss of members.
Please do not transfer feelings regarding my insensitivity to Dr. Rainer. If you read his book, you will arrive at a much different opinion.
Throughout the book, Dr. Rainer profiles a number of breakout churches and their leaders. He repeatedly references the tremendous personal pain experienced by these leaders as they dealt with their respective crises.
I say AMEN TO Scott and Jeff's posts. I just returned from our Sunday night at home session and we Sunshine Members had a wonderful lesson and fellowship. I cannot imagine losing a single one of these christians. If God decides that we need a crisis he will see that we get thru but only with prayer and faith.
As Christians we need to reach out to others thru teaching and prayer. God will take care of the rest. We need to nurture and love one another starting with our own congregation and then reach out to lost souls. I believe that Sunshine is doing these things.
LOVE ONE ANOTHER
I first would like to say that I have not read the book and I have never heard of the author.
I would also like to add that I love Sunshine and am very comfortable with our church.
With that being said, is being comfortable and satisfied what we are looking for. I would be very saddened if we lost members, but if we are to move foward in God's plan then being satisfied might not be enough. Sometimes in life you have to take a step back before you can move foward. If our call is to spread the gospel, then in my mind growth should follow. So are we (am I) spreading the gospel enough?
Now in my mind I would hope that we could grow and keep our current members as is. I remember Don Coriell saying at one time that he would rather deal with hot or cold people and that the luke warm people usually get in the way (I paraphrased). So a question is whether we have any luke warm people at Sunshine? And how do they affect the growth (physically or spiritually)? This is definitely not a question I am able or would want to answer, but a question non-the-less. Also would isn't it our responsibility to encourage the luke warm in the congregation, but again how do we recognize.
Jason, I am not sure how off base I am compared to the author, but I am guessing I could see how his theory is plausible. Not agreeable and pleasant, but plausible.
Did Gabe just give us a "culling of the herd" reference?
I like your last statement, Gabe. You basically summed up my ramblings.
Jeff,
I want to apologize to you and anyone else if my comments offended to the point that someone felt that I was argumentitive. If you are apologizing to me, please don't, I took nothing you said as a negative (if you are not talking to me please ignore).
I enjoy discussing issues and since my brother-in-law enjoys throwing out abstract topics I enjoy debating for or against. I can tell you that nothing that has been written in these blogs has ever offended me personally. Now I might have a different opinion or look at it a different way, but as long as God is controlling our hearts then I would hope that no one else gets offended either.
I totally agree that these descisions that we ponder are up to our leadership at Sunshine (I personally have 100% confidence in that leadership). But since Jason throws them out there I like to take a swing sometimes. I am sure Jason can speak for himself, but my perception on Jason is that he enjoys a good debate and enjoys reading the thoughts of others. So that is why he brings these hypothetical questions up.
To sum up, please do not apologize for your opinion, you have a great heart for God and it is very evident. And your thoughts are also needed. I do agree that this is not a place for gossip, slander or blantant arguing, but again I personally do not feel that way when reading the thoughts of my brothers and sisters.
Love to all and keep sharing.
Sorry I have not chimed in for awhile. I have been distracted by other activities over the past couple of days.
Aaron is correct is stating that I enjoy reading the thoughts of my brothers and sisters, as well as anyone else who cares to participate.
I realize that my question has generated some negative reactions. My goal is to stimulate serious thought about growth. It is my belief that growth will require us to look deep within. I spend a great deal of time thinking about these issues. My desire to see us grow, stimulates me to read books like "Breakout Churches" and keep up with blogs like "Larry James Urban Daily Movement and Hope". It is not my intention to hurt feelings or leave anyone behind.
I hope your having a good day.
I have every confidence in you, Jason, that your aim is not to hurt the congregation or get rid of any members. I agree with Aaron about the fact that you do love a good debate and there's not much you enjoy more than to see this blog busy with posts and comments. You do not and never have been someone I see as being a devisive person. You challenge people and I think that's important!
Thank you, Jason!
Jason - I understand you very well (I Think I Do) and I know you are putting questions out there for discussion and comments from the other bloggers. I enjoy your hypothecial thoughts and questions and enjoy all the comments that you get from them. I in no way feel that you are bringing out these topics for any other reason but to get discussion going and seeking for all of us to open up and express our thougths on these subjects. This helps us to learn and think for ourselves- this encourages us to get those bibles out and read and seek God's word and not take anyone else's word as gospel.
By the Way - Steve had a wonderful lesson Sunday morning.
LOVE ONE ANOTHER
Jeff - Your comments are very good and I really appreciate your honesty. Keep on blogging. You are a very smart guy on the block. I agree with you that also that sometimes I have a hard time understanding what I have read in the bible. I pray about it. Sometimes I listen to others explain a verse and chapter and they make it sound so simple and I wonder why I didn't look at the verses the same way. Love you.
LOVE ONE ANOTHER
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