As a boy growing up in Eastern Kentucky, my brother and I often rode bicycles and motorcycles in the mountains. Occasionally, we would get bogged down in a muddy area and get stuck. Regardless of what we seemed to do, we weren’t going anywhere. At that point, we had to try something different in order to get unstuck. Sometimes a simple push would do the job, but one time we had to hook a rope to my motorcycle and pull it out with a truck. The goal was always to get unstuck, so we could keep using the bicycles and motorcycles for their intended purpose–speeding along the trails.
Studies indicate that 65% of churches in Kentucky and 75% nationwide are “stuck” (plateaued) or “sinking” (declining). Not surprisingly, 55,000 churches will closed their doors between 2005-2020.
Churches that are “stuck in the mud” usually do not have a plan of ministry while those that have “traction” do! Here are some questions that will help as you think about a ministry plan.
5 Questions to Ask if Your Church is Stuck
1. Does your church have a ministry plan? You know the saying, “if you fail to plan, you plan to fail!” Also, “if you aim at nothing, you’re probably going to hit it.” A ministry plan does not have to be elaborate or complicated, but a Biblical plan that can be understood and followed can be the KEY to moving a church forward.
2. Does your plan have a leader? The senior or lead pastor is the key person in developing and communicating the ministry plan. He is not the only person who is important to the process, but he is vital for success. John C. Maxwell says that anyone can steer the boat, but it takes a leader to chart the course.”
3. Does the staff know the plan? Many church staffs are working hard, but they’re not working together–not working in the same direction. To move a church forward, the staff must be moving in the same direction. The staff must plan the work and work the plan–the same plan!
4. Do the members know the plan? It is common for the ministry plan to be lost between the staff and the pew. The plan must be communicated over and over, again and again.
5. Does the plan shape our decisions and ministries? Sometimes the most difficult question is not what do we do, it is what do we no longer do? “Churches tend to function day-to-day, week-to-week, month-to-month, and year-to-year doing pretty much the same things. They assume that existing ministries continue to be sufficient for today’s needs and tomorrow’s opportunities” (Gary L. McIntosh). Being busy is not enough! We must not just do good things; we must do God’s things, i.e., the ministries to which God has called us!
Let me know if we can help you in any way as you strive to get your church unstuck! You can reach me by email or at (502) 489-3571 or toll-free at (866) 489-3571.
Steve Rice 