Replanting a church

 Over the years I've been fortunate to read a number of the histories of various churches. In every case, these churches were formed by people who had a vision for a church that would serve that particular area. I would say that every church that has come into existence did so first because of a vision a group of people had. The vision laid the groundwork, and then the hard work began as people made that vision a reality.

Today most churches are in trouble. They have had declining attendance for years. It is commonly accepted that 80 percent of churches in the US ae plateaued or declining. In every seminar I've led over the years I have pointed out that this number is misleading because a plateau lasts only for a very short time. In reality, the church is either growing or declining. To say it is on a plateau might make the congregation feel better, but the truth is that the church is likely in a state of decline.

In my 14 years as a judicatory leader I worked with many churches seeking new pastoral leadership. In my first meeting with their search team I would ask what they wanted in their new pastor. In almost every case they responded they wanted a pastor who would grow their church. I eventually would follow that response by saying, "So, in other words, you want a pastor who will come in here and change everything you are doing." That usually resulted in an immediate "No!" I would then explain that if they could grow their church by doing what they were already doing, they would already be growing. If they are serious about wanting to grow, they must accept that significant change will be required. Sometimes, these comments resulted in a good conversation; other times I was not invited back to help the search team find a new pastor.

I have come to the conclusion that when a church has been in a significant decline for an extended period of time they need to replant their church. In other words, they need to start from ground zero just like a church that is just starting out and begin to build a new church. In our judicatory we have helped closed churches for a couple of years and started over, but this is not always required if the church is willing to see themselves as a replant.

Replanting a church is not easy. In fact, it may be harder than starting a new church from scratch. In a replant the church has to overcome the traditions that exist in the church. Everything has to be open for change, and this is not easy for an existing church. The key to replanting a church is that EVERYTHING HAS TO BE FOCUSED ON THE CULTURE YOU WANT TO REACH. This is not an easy concept for the current membership. When the church was first established, it was focused on the people it sought to reach. The same must be true in a replant.

Traditional churches like choirs, organs and hymns. Is this the culture you need to reach to grow the church? Probably not, which means that new forms of music needs to be introduced, which the current congregation may not enjoy. Traditional churches like committees, boards, and incremental change. Is this mindset found in the culture you hope to reach? Probably not, which means your church structure may need to change. One of the most helpful rules of thumb I have ever learned is "YOUR STRUCTURE IS PERFECTLY DESIGNED FOR THE RESULTS YOU ARE GETTING! If you want different results, you have to change how your church is structured, and not every church is willing to do that.

Replanting a church is one of the most difficult things a congregation can do. Many will refuse and will eventually find themselves among the approximately 5,000 churches in the US who close their doors every year. Those who begin this journey will find it difficult but one of the most satisfying things they've ever done.