Comments on: Is church ministry a waste of time?

By: Rich Kirkpatrick

Rich Kirkpatrick — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 09:30:38 +0000

What I hoped to lay out here is the idea that regardless of the season a ministry is in, our ministry to people really is what matters whether or not that ministry can make the church gro–or not grow or even survive.

What validates us, is our ministry to people. That is separate sometimes from the circumstances, or context of our church. We can be assured in the eternal sense, even when things look bad or do not really work out the way we had hoped. I worked in two church plants that closed their doors. So what. People were reached and touched. Yeah, it would be best to see BOTH happen but I also have been in huge numerically successful situations that failed, too. They failed in other ways. It is just that the numbers make their failures invisible to people.

What lasts is the people we touch and reach.

By: Pistol Pete

Pistol Pete — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 02:11:10 +0000

I fully agree a church that isn’t growing is dying. The question becomes, “How do you measure growth?” Over the 30 year period before I arrived, my church declined from 1400 to 140 members. In my first year, we added maybe 9 members, went up in attendance and financial giving by 20%.

Now, I realize this is not unusual given the enthusiasm of a new pastorate. It looks like we are starting to plateau already in my second year, which is discouraging.

The real test will be – for the next 5-10 years, are we living out our faith in such a way that the Lord “adds to our numbers day by day”?

Growth may not happen overnight, but I would say if it doesn’t happen in a generation, you need to evaluate the value and purpose of the ministry.

By: Peter Park

Peter Park — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 21:32:56 +0000

I believe the local church is where it all happens. That’s why I put a lot of my time in the people that are there.

By: eric

eric — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 17:52:37 +0000

I see something more in this post. As I was reading it I thought, what if there were no church? Actually, what if there were no paid position for me in the Church? Would I still do what I’m doing now? Would I still give my heart toward making our gathering, celebrations and studies as great as they can be?

I think I’ll write on that one. Thanks for the inspiration…

By: Jeremy Blasongame

Jeremy Blasongame — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 14:35:22 +0000

One of the main catalysts is when churches become culturally irrelevant. In a changing world and a changing culture people need to see the purpose of God and church in their lives. As soon as that is gone, the church is pretty much a swirl in the drain.

Hymns from 1747 no longer speak to people, the challenge is finding what does speak to this generation and how to effectively use it in church.

By: Sean Pritzkau

Sean Pritzkau — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 14:22:35 +0000

Impacting and changing lives can never be a waste of time. I like what you said about maybe giving some funerals to churchs. If we did this, more people might come together and unite as THE church, not “MY church.”

By: Matt

Matt — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 12:39:17 +0000

I love what you said about if ministry is people, then it’s not a waste of time. In my own experience, I’ve wrestled with a lot of those dynamics…numbers, growth, money, and investing in people. I have found that I am the happiest when it is about relationship. Sounds quite co-dependent, I’m sure. It’s part of the way I’m wired…if it ain’t about investing in people…what’s the point? Jesus told us not just to ‘go’….but to ‘make disciples’…How do you do that…relationship…BAM!

I’m done. Thanks Rich.

By: Rich Kirkpatrick

Rich Kirkpatrick — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 12:19:05 +0000

Tyler,

Absolutely true, even though that point was a backdrop to my main point. I am no so “young” anymore, but young enough to know what it is like to feel on the outside, dis-empowered, and disillusioned. Things must change. And, they will. Hopefully we will be able to pass the mantle better than those before us. It is never easy to give up power, or position. But, that is what Paul instructs even his young Timothy to do!

By: Tyler

Tyler — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 12:11:04 +0000

I think you are right about churches being a one generation thing. Christians are notorious for being slow to react, never able to change, and beyond that not wanting to change. This is where we see the problem of their ability to continue. One of the most famous churches in the world hasn’t even been around that long (Willow). Most churches aren’t willing to bring in young leadership and to push their comfort zones and so they die a slow death as their congregation and leadership gets older.