I have always been told that when it comes to reputations that, "If enough mud is thrown at the wall, some of it ends up sticking," and this is , human nature being what it is, a fair assessment of things.
My problem is that whilst the method (throwing mud) works when considering defaming people - it's not quite as effective when it come to Church Growth. Confused (of course you are - remember what you're readings and who wrote it!)?
I am coming across more and more people who work on the principle that offering a myriad number of things will make their church grow. I see them doing coffee morning, parents and toddlers, prayer services, reflection services, pram service, social groups, fitness classes, Bible reading groups, secular book reading groups, house groups, ALPHA, bereavement groups, cancer support groups, clubs for the older people, clubs for the kids, men's groups, women's groups and (phew - surely not) more besides. Now I don't know about you but I'm knackered already just by thinking of the groups (and I've left some out!).
"Look at us," they cry, "We are offering so much - watch them come in!"
But they don't because there's already a cancer support groups and the parents and toddler's groups have been long-established and are popular. Not only that but no one reads in the area the church building is set in and the old don't come out in the evening but they do during the day when they go to already established groups and do outings with the U3A (University of the Third Age).
The problem is that diversity is great but it only makes money for businesses when they product they diversify into is something that the customer wants. They don't waste time, energy and money (their reason for being usually) by placing products that won't sell into the marketplace.
There is an increasing sense among some church leaders that diversity and volume are the keys to getting footfall (the feet on the ground that is theirs) but this is only true where what is being offered is what the people are seeking. It doesn't matter how much is on offer, or how good it is, or that it is free if people aren;t interested in whatever it is - for they just do not come.
And the people who put the stuff on? They get more and more disillusioned and frustrated and tired and depressed and rather than build the church it weakens it and those who were willing slowly fade and fail and leave too!
So here's a plea from a missioner type to all my brothers and sisters out there doing the stuff:
1. Know your audience - do social audits to find out what is already offered and what the people around you really want and need (and remember that they aren't the same thing!).
2. Offer what is wanted and do it well - better to do one thing and succeed rather than many things and fail at them all.
3. Do it for the right reasons - if you're doing it to win 'scalps' then it might start well but will fail because people know when they are being cared for rather than merely counted!
4. Do it with prayer - great plans, marketing and the like are all necessary, but we are called to be a people of prayer (and praise)!
5. Remember who we are doing it for (and with) - If what we do doesn't have the Gospel (stated, acknowledged and lived out) then it's pants people! And finally:
6. Do it with a loving, servant heart - for we serve because we copy Jesus, the Christ, who came into the world to serve it (not condem). A servant heart is essential.
Never mind the quantity - feel the love, life and move of God's Spirit.
Pax
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