Category: Ministry

Stuck in the Mud

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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.

Churches & Car Dealerships

Posted in Assimilation, Church Chat, Church Revitalization, Evangelism, Funny, Ministry, Preaching, Worship1 Comment

Car Salesman

Is there anything in life more frustrating than buying a car? Last week my wife and I attempted to replace one of our vehicles. It seems that every time I step on a car lot it tests my Christianity–that day was no exception. At one point during the “trial,” while the manager was making a dramatic last-ditch effort to make a sale, I wanted to ask “do I have the word stupid tattooed on my forehead or something?” I kept my cool, but I sent him back to his secret manager’s lair without a sale.

Don’t misunderstand, I realize dealerships are in the business to make money and salesmen are just trying to earn a living. I don’t fault them for that, but the truth is, buying a car is about as much fun as having your fingernails pulled out with a pair of needle-nosed plyers. Through the years, I have owned various brands: Chevrolet, Ford, Chrysler, Honda, Toyota, Nissan, and Mazda, but my experience was usually the same. I believe both car dealerships and churches might benefit from some of the things I wanted to say to the dealership that day:

  • I’m not the scarecrow in the Wizard of Oz. Believe it or not, I actually have a brain. I’ve done some reading and research in my life. I can think, evaluate, and make decisions. Don’t talk down to me.
  • Give me some space. Sometimes I like to window-shop a little before being bombarded with the “sales pitch.” I expect a “sales pitch” and I’m ok with that, but just give me some space first. Let me just “kick the tires” for a while. If I really like them, I will buy them from you and a car to go with them!
  • Be honest with me. We all know the stereotype that car salesmen are dishonest. In many cases, they probably earned that reputation. The church is sometimes viewed the same way, so honesty is paramount to me.
  • Don’t play games and don’t play me. There’s nothing I hate much more than “being played.” Almost everyone I know feels the same way. Car dealerships, churches, salesmen, and preachers should be transparent and genuine.
  • Give me the facts and give them to me fast. How long can it possibly take to calculate the value of my trade-in? I looked up the Kelly Blue Book price on the internet in 5 minutes before I left the house! Don’t go on and on–it won’t change the facts. Give me the facts and I’ll make a decision.
  • Sell, but don’t oversell. I came expecting a sell, but don’t go overboard or you will turn me off for sure.

Boy oh boy…..I feel so much better now that I got that off my chest. Thanks for allowing me to vent. Let me end with this question, “how often does an unchurched person want to make these same statements to us after he visits one of our churches?”

Transitional Interim Pastor Training

Posted in Assimilation, Church Consulting, Church Revitalization, Discipleship, Evangelism, Ministry, Preaching, WorshipLeave a comment

Untitled-1We are offering a Transitional Interim Pastor Training at the Kentucky Baptist Convention building on November 23-24, 2015 that will equip men of God to provide leadership for worship services, supply basic pastoral care, and guide a congregation through the inherent complexities, challenges, and opportunities during the interim time.

The workshop will help participants focus on:

  • The role and responsibilities of a transitional interim pastor
  • The transition process
  • Assessing the church’s history
  • Assessing the church’s current realities
  • Strategic preparation for the church’s future
  • Preaching and teaching during the interim
  • Conflict management and congregational healing
  • Supporting the search committee
  • Preparing the church for the next pastor
  • Leaving gracefully

Cost is $100 per person. For more information please contact me at steve.rice@kybaptist.org or at 502-489-5731.

Biblical Marriage Resources

Posted in Church Chat, Church Consulting, Discipleship, Ministry, PreachingLeave a comment

RingOne of the more challenging issues facing Southern Baptists today is same-sex marriage. Churches need to protect themselves legally while showing proper Biblical grace toward the LGBT community. Read Dr. Chitwood’s response to the recent Supreme Court ruling that legalized same-sex marriage in America.

To assist churches, we have created a marriage resource page on our Kentucky Baptist Convention website that includes the following:

  • Videos from Protecting Biblical Marriage conference held May 22, 2014
  • Sample Marriage/Wedding policies and guidelines
  • Sample Facility Use policies
  • Videos by Richard Nelson, executive director of the Commonwealth Policy Center

If you have any questions, please email me at steve.rice@kybaptist.org or give me a call at (502) 489-3571.  Also, as you develop resources, please send them to me so we can share them with others.

I Am A Church Member (Thom S. Rainer)

Posted in Assimilation, Book Reviews, Church Chat, Church Consulting, Church Revitalization, Discipleship, Evangelism, Ministry, Preaching, WorshipLeave a comment

Church MemberThe last few months I have been serving as the interim pastor of one of our fine Kentucky Baptist Convention churches.  I celebrate that the church recently called a sharp, young pastor who will lead them well in the coming years.

My last four Sunday messages I am choosing to preach through the passages and main points that Dr. Thom S. Rainer makes in his helpful new book, I Am A Church Member.  In his book, Rainer revisits the Biblical responsibilities of those who are privileged to be members of a local church.  He encourages each church member to make the following five pledges:

  1. I will be a functioning church member.
  2. I will be a unifying church member.
  3. I will not let my church be about my preferences and desires.
  4. I will pray for my church leaders.
  5. I will lead my family to be healthy church members.
  6. I will treasure church membership as a gift.

Here’s a little sample from page 6 of Rainer’s book:

“God did not give us local churches to become country clubs where membership means we have privileges and perks.  He places us in churches to serve, to care for others, to pray for leaders, to learn, to teach, to give, and, in some cases, to die for the sake of the Gospel….Many churches are weak because we have members who have turned the meaning of membership upside down.  It’s time to get it right.  It’s time to become a church member as God intended.  It’s time to give instead of being entitled.”

Pick up a copy of this book today!  As a matter of fact, pick up several copies.  They can be purchased from your Lifeway Store for $5 each when purchased in multiples of 20.  May the Lord use this timely book to renew our understanding of and commitment to God’s local church!