The unsaved church member

Years ago Billy Graham stated his belief that one-half of those attending churches had never trusted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Many were active members and leaders in their churches. Some served as pastors of those churches. I'm sure when he said those words that some doubted the number could be that high. Well, Christian researcher George Barna's team have studied those attending church services and came to the same conclusion. Approximately, one-half of those professing to be Christians have actually given their lives over to Jesus Christ. That is an amazing number, and one that should give pause to churches and their leadership.

How can such a thing be true? From my perspective, it's the result of people not truly understanding what it means to be a Christian. Some think they are Christian because their parents or grandparents were Christians. Others may believe because they attend a church service and even take an active part in those services, that they are Christians. Some may be relying on an event that happened many years ago in which they made a public profession of faith which was followed by a baptism, but in reality their lives never changed nor have they had any recent experience of God working in their lives. What we are talking about here in each of these examples is poor theology and is the direct result of inadequate preaching from the pulpit. In too many churches, the gospel has been watered down so much so that it might not offend anyone that people no longer understand what it means to become a Christian.

Several years ago a pastor shared with me a story about a young member of his church. This individual had once again been arrested for drunk driving and was in jail. After his release the family asked the pastor to visit the young man which he did. During their conversation the pastor asked the individual about his relationship with Jesus Christ. The young man shared that he had attended a church camp as a child. During a chapel service one evening he fell asleep, and when he woke up he noticed a crowd of young people down front. He went down front to see why they were there. These young people had responded to a gospel presentation to give their lives to Christ. This individual was asked his name, and a couple of weeks later his pastor received a letter from the camp stating this individual had made a profession of faith. Without looking into this apparent profession any further, the young man was baptized and became a member of the church. How many people sitting in our churches believe they are right with God because of an inadequate understanding of what it means to be a Christian?

In 2 Corinthians 13:5 Paul encourages us to test ourselves to see if we are truly in the faith. Such an examination should be good for each of us to perform. Let's not trust our church membership or our role in the church as proof of our relationship with God. We should also not trust our Christian upbringing as evidence that we are Christians. God has no grandchildren. Each person must make a personal decision of whether to seek a relationship with God through Jesus Christ in order to be saved.

One final word to church leaders, especially pastors. Let each of us be abundantly clear on what it means to be a Christian. God doesn't need "woke" churches afraid of offending people. He has called each of us to present clearly the gospel and invite people to receive Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. There is no other name under heaven by which people can be saved. Our churches will never impact our communities as they should until this message is shared without apology.

What smaller churches need

A couple of days ago I posted my thoughts about the future of smaller churches. If my predictions are correct, what should denominations begin doing to serve these churches?

As a judicatory leader for 14 years I saw first-hand how the finances of many denominations and judicatories were impacted by the financial crisis of 2008 and some of the controversies that swirled around denominational life at the same time. Many denominations and judicatories were forced to significantly cut staffing and programs. The churches most affected by these cuts were the smaller churches. 

Denominations and judicatories were not the only ones ready to write off the smaller churches. How many seminaries and Bible schools offered classes designed specifically for the pastors of the smaller church? How many offered training for bivocational ministers? I'm glad to say that some did. The judicatory in which I served provided excellent training for church leaders, many of whom became effective bivocational pastors in some of our smaller churches. Unfortunately, this type of training was not available in every judicatory or from every seminary or Bible college.

Finding qualified pastoral leadership for smaller churches became increasingly more difficult. Seminary trained pastors with MDiv degrees seldom were interested in serving in a smaller church. Many churches quickly discovered their denomination could not help them find a pastor since there were so few pastors available willing to serve the smaller church. Some of these churches would call the first person who walked in their door wearing a cross around his neck. This often resulted in a disaster for the church. In many cases, these pastors had no affiliation with the denomination and no interest in supporting the denomination which drove the wedge even greater between the denomination and the church.

With this background, let me share two things smaller churches need from their denomination and judicatories. One, is assistance in finding effective pastoral leadership. For decades these churches have been told the denomination doesn't have sufficient pastoral leadership for the smaller church. Let me be very blunt: that excuse is getting old. If you don't have pastoral leadership you can offer to the smaller church, whose fault is that? Do you think God is surprised by the need of smaller churches to have effective pastoral leadership? He's been calling people to this work since the church began. It's time for denominations and judicatories to stop making excuses and begin working to identify those God has called to this work and train them. A person doesn't need an MDiv to serve a smaller church. He or she doesn't need an MDiv to be ordained. Stop pretending it's 1950 where every pastor had to have a MDiv in order to serve in a church. Our churches are constantly being told they need to learn to conform to the reality of doing ministry in 2023. How about our denominational and judicatory leaders think about conforming to the real needs of their smaller church?

Closely associated with this, the second thing our smaller churches need is a relationship with the denominational and judicatory leadership. The ONLY thing they can't get from outside sources is a relationship. There are many publishing companies where they can get Sunday school literature, bulletins and other resources. There are excellent evangelism tools available from any number of organizations. Many great workshops and conferences are offered every year from a variety of organizations. The only thing a denomination and judicatory can offer their churches that they cannot get elsewhere is a relationship.

A word of advice: some of these churches have been ignored for so long that any relationship will have to begin with you approaching them. If you try to invite a bunch of small church leaders to some gathering, don't be surprised if few show up. This needs to be one-on-one at first. 

The future of the small church

 I didn't realize it had been so long since I had published on this blog. I apologize to my followers and can assure you that you will be seeing more from me in the near future. In a couple of weeks I'll have an announcement to share with everyone. But, for now I want to address what I believe the future of the small church will look like.

I am in the process of re-reading a book I first read several years ago on how to turn around a small church. Even though the book was published in 1995 it mostly remains very relevant to small churches in 2023. As I began reading Appendix A, the author mentions that many were saying the era of the small church is past, and the future belongs to the mega-church and larger churches. People are making the same observation today. In my opinion, they couldn't be more wrong.

At a pastor's conference I led a few years ago I was asked about the future of the small church. My response was that the small church will be around for a long time. The larger and mega-churches probably will be as well. The churches that will feel the squeeze in the future will be the middle-size churches. I predicted then that people in those churches will be attracted to the programs and ministries the mega-churches offer. In an effort to keep those individuals, the middle-size churches will try to compete with the mega-churches. No doubt they will work hard and probably fail simply because they do not have the resources to compete with those churches. One of my mantras is that churches can often accomplish more by doing less. It's when churches focus on the few things they can do with excellence that they succeed. Doing many things with mediocrity is a sure recipe for failure.

That failure is likely to result in people leaving for the mega-church who offers those programs the people want. At the same time, some in the middle-size church may decide they miss the family atmosphere they experienced in the smaller church and decide to return to that smaller church. They are less interested in programs and more interested in the fellowship and family atmosphere often found in the smaller church.

If my predictions are correct, it is important that denominations stop writing off the smaller church and re-address the needs of those churches. As a retired judicatory leader for 14 years I found many smaller churches had decided they would get no help from their denominations. While most of them remained members of their denominations, it was a relationship in name only. Many of them ceased any financial support of their denomination, never attended meetings or training sessions offered by the denomination, and stop calling when they needed assistance in finding new pastoral leadership. They had, in essence, became independent churches.

Smaller churches will be around until Jesus comes. They have their problems and challenges, but they offer people a sense of family not found in larger churches. Many people want that. I suppose that's why the mean church in America is only 75 people. Bookshelves may be full of books about larger churches written by mega-church pastors, but the country is full of smaller churches, and it will continue to be so as long as the church exists. I love the smaller church and have dedicated my life and ministry to them because I know how God continues to use them to impact the lives of people and communities.

Loving God with our minds

 When Jesus was asked to name the greatest commandment He responded, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind." Most Christians would respond that they do love the Lord, but I wonder how many can say they love Him with all their minds. The reason I say this is because of the shallow thinking found among many Christians today. For many, their faith is a mile wide and an inch deep. They've never seriously studied the teachings of Scripture and know only what pastors and others have taught them, and too often their teacher's knowledge of God is shallow as well. A few decades back pastors were considered the theologians of the church. Today, they are expected to be therapists who are careful not to use too much "God-talk" so as not to offend anyone.

In his book, Love Your God with All Your Mind, Christian philosopher J. P. Moreland discusses the importance of emphasizing the intellectual life to our congregations for their own personal spiritual growth and to enhance their ability to share their faith with others. Moreland goes on to tell the story of an interview Billy Graham had with Parade magazine when he was asked what he would do differently if given the chance. He responded, "I would have studied more. I would have gotten my PhD in anthropology."

I am now approaching my 75th birthday, and I believe my answer would have been similar. I wish I had pursued a PhD in theology or apologetics to deepen my knowledge about God and my relationship with Him. Not that a particular degree makes a person a better Christian or even a more knowledgeable Christian (I know too many people with a PhD degree that I am convinced stands for Post Hole Digger because even a post hole digger knows more about God than they do!).

Today I am in a serious study of the attributes of God so that I might know Him better. There are times in my study that I have to stop and simply praise Him for that particular attribute. Not only does it help me better know God, it also helps me see how that attribute has impacted my life. Such an understanding naturally leads to worship.

How would you describe your own knowledge of God? How much time do you spend studying the Scriptures to see what they have to teach you? Can you honestly say your faith has grown in the past year? The past 5 years? What about since the day you prayed asking Jesus Christ into your life? I've known many Christians who's faith never grew beyond the day of their baptism. If this describes you, what are you going to do about it? Let me make a suggestion if you want to change this in your life; read Moreland's book to start with. When you finish his book, begin to read other books that are written by serious biblical scholars and theologians. Listen to podcasts from similar people. It's Ok if some of it is over your head. You're learning. As you learn more about God you will find your faith will begin to deepen. You will find it easier to worship. You will find it easier to share your faith with others. You will be amazed at how your life will change.

Taking the long view in ministry

 I made a mistake a couple of years ago. (I know that's hard to believe!) In an effort to remove a few books from my library I sent my copy of The Clock of the Long Now to the Salvation Army. In case you are not familiar with this clock, it is a clock designed to keep time for 10,000 years. You can read about the clock online, but the book builds on this clock in an effort to help people see the value of a long-time perspective in all they do. I wish I still had the book because I feel the need to re-read it.

We live in a hurry-up world where speed is of the essence. I will admit to the reader that I am not a person with great patience. I often joke that I believe microwaves are much too slow. I prefer everything to move at light speed. My early ministry reflected that mindset which caused me a lot of frustration. One of the blessings I received by spending 20 years as pastor of Hebron Baptist Church was that it taught me that anything worthwhile would take longer than I thought it should. I doubt that those pastors whose pastoral tenure lasts more than 3-4 years ever learn that.

In his classic Your God is too Small, J. B. Phillips writes, "It is refreshing, and salutary, to study the poise and quietness of Christ. His task and responsibility might well have driven a man out of his mind. But He was never in a hurry, never impressed by numbers, never a slave of the clock. He was acting, He said, as he observed God to act - never in a hurry."

Phillips is right. God is never in a hurry. Our Lord Jesus Christ had such a short time to accomplish all He was given to accomplish, yet we never find Him in a hurry. He always found time to address the needs He encountered, and He still accomplished the purpose for which He came to earth to fulfill.

I am not advocating that we in the ministry waste time, but it is also time that we step back and recognize that God does not move at our pace. So many times I felt frustrated because the congregation didn't understand the vision I tried to share with them. I forgot that it takes time for God to reveal that to them as He had revealed it to me. Yes, I will even admit that there were times I was frustrated with God that He wasn't moving as quickly as I would prefer! (I can't say enough about how wrong that is!)

Sometimes I wish ministers would be called to a church where they would spend their entire lives serving that congregation and community. Yet, I also know that there are times when God calls us elsewhere to use our gifts in a different setting. I will say that I doubt that happens every 3-4 years, but I suppose that's my opinion. Long-term ministries help us see the value in taking a long-term perspective in what we are doing. It would also help us see all that God had done in our churches and in our own lives during that period of time.

I want to encourage those in ministry to commit to the place where you are serving. Don't leave just because things are difficult. Don't leave because it's hard to get people to understand your vision. You might leave just as God is getting ready to make a break-through in that church. H. B. London, Jr. once reminded us that if we are serving in a great church it was because someone stayed there long enough to make it a great church, and if we are serving in a place that wasn't so good it might be that God was calling us to stay there until we made it a great place. 

Going Deeper With God

I recently heard a pastor admit to his congregation that one of his biggest regrets in ministry was that he had not gone deeper with God. This pastor is a very popular minister of a mega-church who appears on television daily. He has authored several best-selling books. Most of us in ministry would believe that he enjoys a great ministry that has been blessed by God. Yet, he admitted this major regret in his life.

His admission struck home with me because I have often felt the same. While not having enjoyed the ministry this brother has, my ministry has been blessed of God. For a country boy raised on dairy farms, I have enjoyed a ministry that I could never have imagined. Still, I often feel much regret that I have not gone deeper with God than I have. After 40+ years in ministry I feel I have merely scratched the surface in my knowledge of God and my walk with Him.

Recently, I have begun a study of the attributes of God as part of my devotional reading and study. Maybe one day I'll attempt to write a book on my learning, but whether I do or not, this study has reinforced my regret of not having gone deeper with God. So often, in my reading, I need to stop and worship as I see elements of God's attributes I never knew existed. I begin to reflect on how these attributes have impacted my relationship with Him even when I didn't realize it.

The book I am currently reading is Divine Attributes: Knowing the Covenantal God of Scripture by John C. Peckham. As I read what he writes about God's love I had to stop reading and begin to worship. Oh, the depth of His love for us! In the previous book I read, God the Father Almighty by Millard J. Erickson, he wrote how the omniscience of God influences His love for us. Erickson points out that even though God knows everything about us, He loves us unconditionally! Most of the love we receive from others is conditional. Perhaps they would not love us if they knew everything there was to know about us. But, God does know everything and loves us anyway! If that does not lead you to worship Him I don't know what would.

Not only do I regret not personally going deeper with God, I regret not leading the churches I've served in a study of God's attributes. While I have addressed some of them in messages occasionally, I wish I had led the congregation through an intentional study of His attributes. My belief is that many in our churches do not understand His attributes either and how those attributes can impact their lives. Just as reading about these attributes has led me to worship, I believe a study of these attributes would enhance our congregation's worship as well.

I can't undo the past, and I will have to live with the regrets I have, but I can do something about the future, and I am. I plan on spending at least the rest of this year studying the attributes of God in an effort to go deeper in my walk with Him. I want to know God better. I want to go deeper, and I pray you do as well.

Raising up leaders in the church

When I served as a Resource Minister for our Region I frequently heard complaints about the lack of leaders in many of the churches I served. Sometimes it was an issue with the quantity of leaders while others complained about the quality of the leaders in their churches. However, I noticed few of these churches did anything except complain. They offered no training for their current leaders and no training for potential future leaders.

During my life I have worked a number of different jobs as a bivocational minister. In every one of those jobs there was training. As an electrician in the Navy I had to be trained to qualify to stand switchgear watch aboard the carrier I was assigned to. In the various jobs I had while working in the factory I had to be trained for each job I had. Although I began my ministry with no education beyond high school, I soon enrolled in a Bible school to learn how to better serve my church, and I continued that education until completing my doctorate. When I decided to become an auctioneer I had to fulfill 80 hours of classroom instruction and pass an exam to be licensed. But, what training do we offer those who serve in our churches?

We ask someone to teach a class. In many churches the person is handed a teacher's book and told where their classroom is located. But, how many churches provide training for that teacher? We ask someone to serve as a deacon or elder, and we tell them when the meetings are held. What training is ever offered them? In many churches, the answer is none. In most smaller churches the youth leaders are volunteers. Are they ever provided with the training they need to do a good job? Young people today have a host of challenges that many of us never faced growing up, and our volunteer youth workers often feel overwhelmed. They deserve our support and the best training we can offer. We ask people to serve in our churches and fail to provide them with any training and then complain when they don't do a good job. This needs to end.

There are many ways to provide leadership training today. Churches can find good training programs on video or in published materials. As a bivocational pastor of a small, rural church I led on-going training for our Sunday school teachers using some books produced by a denominational publishing house. I offered deacon training for our deacons, and led several similar training events for the deacons in the churches I served as a Resource Minister. There are often seminars and training opportunities offered that you can take advantage of. The church should pay for these events for their leaders and potential leaders. it's an investment in the future of your church.

Every church needs a leadership pipeline where potential leaders are identified and trained so they are ready when needed. How much time does your church leaders spend trying to identify such persons. If you wait until new leaders are needed, it's too late. Identify them now, train them now, and they'll be ready when needed.

One final note: don't forget about your pastoral leadership. They need ongoing training as well. Every church should have continuing education funds available for their pastor. Many corporations pay for coaches for their CEOs and other senior leaders. This is a good model for churches to follow. I'm currently serving as a mentor for a young pastor to help him navigate the transition into a larger church than he has served in the past. His church wants him to succeed and is willing to invest in him to make that happen.

If a church complains about a lack of qualified leaders, they are usually admitting they have failed to raise up the leaders they need. Instead of complaining, let's begin to identify those God has called to leadership in the church and begin equipping them for that work.