You’re not God…you know that. But you may be the next best thing for people in your church. People perceive pastors to be holy, at least holier than they are.
Because of this, people won’t tell you stuff. Bright, perceptive people see things that could help you and the church, yet they keep it to themselves. Some of them will tell you everything about everything. But it’s hard to get good information from the good people.
No man can gain perspective in the midst of his circumstances. We all need fresh eyes occasionally. I’ve never worked for a church or even consulted. I’m a business guy with an MBA. But I’ve been a church member all my life, involved in the early days of several that have grown pretty big.
My only agenda is the one we share…to build the Kingdom.
So, with my fresh eyes, I’m going to tell you seven things your church won’t. So, drop your guard and open your mind. There might be an idea or two that can help you or your church.
- YOUR PEOPLE DON’T WANT YOUR CHURCH TO GROW.
If you take the Gospel seriously, you want your church to grow. But your people may not.
Sure, they’ll say they do. But deep down, it’s not something they’re willing to suffer for. Growth creates discomfort. Growth means competition for parking spots. Unfamiliar kids in the nursery. Scary-looking teenagers.
Growth means change. Maybe different music. Growth can bring poor people, needy people, sick people, selfish people, insensitive people, even radically sinful people.
Those who’ve had power and influence can feel threatened by young leaders recruited into growing churches. Staying with current reality keeps them at the top of the food chain.
- YOUR PEOPLE HAVE A DIFFERENT DEFINITION OF WORSHIP THAN YOU
We were made for worship. Our whole purpose is to worship God.
But we all have our own idea of what worship sounds like. It’s shaped by our background, where we grew up, churches we’ve visited, all of it.
Well, guess what. Your worship leader and every staff member and lay leader have their picture of the ideal worship experience too. And you’re never getting everyone to agree.
For most American Christians, what we call worship is singing songs in a rote fashion out of a book. We stick to these rituals and traditions and wonder why our kids don’t want to attend.
This is not a rant against traditional worship nor a commercial for contemporary. But an alarm bell to say, “Pastor, is the worship in your church true, heartfelt, emotion-packed, love-expressing praise to God? Are the people leading rewarded for good performances or changed hearts?”
“We worship…they’ll worship” is the mantra I believe. Hire leaders who yearn to see everyone in your church genuinely worship. Don’t allow a performance mentality where ego, jealousy and contention are harbored.
