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If You Weren’t On Staff At Your Church, Would You Worship There?

Last week on the Swerve Blog, Craig Groeschel asked three questions that I want to pose to you this Monday Morning. How you answer these questions will have great implications on your ministry and your church. They are questions that will shape how you view your job; how your prioritize your tasks today; and how effective your church will be tomorrow. Here are the three questions Craig asks...

1.  If you weren’t on staff at your church, would you worship there?
I think we’ve all served at churches that we wouldn’t worship at.  (I know I have).  And many times we are in the process of transitioning them into a church that we’d love to attend.  If you’re in that position right now, this is still a great question to ask.  Why wouldn’t you want to worship there?  And what is keeping other people away from the church that you serve?

2.  If you didn’t know ANYTHING about Jesus, what would you know about him after a normal weekend at your church?
Think about your service yesterday.  If you didn’t know squat about Jesus yesterday morning; what would you know about Him or think about Him today?  This is a question that we need to ask each and every week.  How does your church communicate Jesus?

3.  If you had a loved one who didn’t know Christ, and they had one week left to live, would you take them to your church or another?
In this last question, it goes one level deeper.  How’s your church doing at communicating the main message?  Truthfully; would you take your dying unsaved mother to a service at your church or another church across town?  How clear is the gospel presented in your church.

These are some pretty heavy questions. But they are important questions.  Questions we all need to answer… right now.

So… how’d you fare?  And what can you do this week to change areas that need to be changed?  (There’re just six more days until Sunday!)

Have a great week!

Be sure to visit the LifeChurch.tv Swerve Blog… Craig and Bobby share some really great insights every day!

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This post has been viewed 884 times and was added on March 05, 2007 by Todd Rhoades.
Filed under: Leadership Issues  Leadership Development  
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  There are 28 Comments:
  • Posted by Jerry McQuay

    My wife and I have been pastoring since 1977, and the church that we serve here in suburban Chicago is the FIRST one that we could say ‘yes’ to question 1 - in fact, I do say that often in conversation with others.  CLC is such a neat church because of our unique DNA - our congregation is about 60% African-American; about 33% white and about 7% Hispanic or Asian - and we genuinely work together, worship together, and love each other!  (I’d never want to go back to pastoring an all-white church again, ever - this is just too much fun!) David really knew what he was talking about when he wrote “how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity”!

  • Posted by

    Right now I have to say that my answer is no. I would not worship at the church I currently pastor. My wife and I have had this conversation several times over. Yet, because I feel this way I have been working to change this. I think these are three great questions for the pastor to share with his/her board of elders/leaders. The leadership and the congregation have to answer these questions truthfully and then seek to fill the gaps. That’s what we are starting to do and it is making a big difference.

  • Posted by Leonard

    Great Questions:
    #1 Yes
    #2 He loves me, wants to have a real friendship with me and paid the highest cost to do so, his life
    #3 Yes

  • Posted by

    Re #1: Yes I would - not because of the nature of the service (good or bad) but because of the people; particularly, because I have deep “agape” relationships with them. It would take years (if ever) to rebuild this in another church. How sad if you have been at a church a long time but don’t have these types of relationships!

    Re #2: This seems to assume that the primary purpose of a church service is to teach people who know nothing about God. In a relational church, success isn’t measured by what this person learned in one service; it is measured by whether the person made some connections with people and is interested in coming back or getting back with the people he connected with in a non-church setting.

    Re #3: This seems to assume that the only way you can tell someone about God is by taking them to church. I wouldn’t take them to church at all. I would share the gospel through us reading God’s Word together.

  • Posted by Tye Male

    Question #1 - yes. Although I enjoy the more contemporary services, I appreciate the fact that New Covenant Bible Church celebrates the various pathways to God. Yesterday I performed with our church’s big band (yep, swing music!) The last Sunday of the month will be orchestra, my least favorite, but I respect those whose pathway to God involves the more classical sacred music.

    Question #2 - That he is a grace giving God who loved us with the greatest sacrifice possible. I would also know that his followers are some of the most friendly, caring, and caring people on the planet. (and that we really are not wackos! : )

    Question #3 - I would take them to my church for sure. There they would find that Christ changes lives and they would see that reflected in his people who gather on Sunday. I don’t think the church is the place to bring people into the kingdom because it is usually a relationship with someone who has shared their life with the individual. Just because they commit their life to Christ in a church setting is no indication that the church is responsible. “Paul planted, Appolos watered, but God gave the increase.”

  • Posted by

    Good Morning Todd,
    We (my husband is a Pastor and our oldest son leads Praise & Worship) have awesome discussions, soul searching, laughs, new ideas and insight each Monday as we peruse your site.  Keep up the fabulous work for the Kingdom.  By the way, we all answered YES to all the above questions, certainly not to be prideful, and certainly not to say we couldn’t improve, but we have an awesome congregation that truly Loves and you feel it when you walk in the door, and what Mother doesn’t think her son is the best P & W leader in the universe?????

  • Posted by

    Good questions… and I am excited about my own answers!
    My husband is on staff and there is nowhere else in this huge city where we live that we’d rather go to church.  In fact sometimes I wish we could just be “regular” attendees so we could just come to enjoy it and not ‘have’ to do anything (we are blessed to serve here - don’t get me wrong), but if we could just be invisible occasionally just to soak up all that’s offered, that would be great.
    As far as what people who learn about the Lord - they would learn that He loves people to sing worship to HIm and learn about Him from His Word.  they would see that the fruit of the Spirit is love.
    And yes, I would definitely bring unsaved family here.  They would hear the Good News explained clearly and given the chance to be forgiven their sins and receive Christ as their Savior.
    I love my church!

  • Posted by

    Another question to ask, that is similar to questions #1 and #3:

    “Would you want your best friend or a family member to become a member of the church you attend”? If the answer is “no” then there are probably others in the church who feel the same way. If that is the case, a pastor, staff, and leadership must find out why members won’t invite their friends and family to church.

    One of the best ways a church can grow is when members invite their friends and family to church.

  • Posted by michael

    #1:  Yes, I would attend my church.  I have been at my current church for 10 years.  If you would have asked me that question in years 1 - 4, I would have said no.  While some of the eternals have changed over that time period, the big difference comes in the relationships with the people.

    #2:  That Jesus loves them and cares for them.  He reveals his wisdom to us so that we can walk faithfully under his shelter and care.  We were focused on how God shelters us in times of fear.  Carl wisely points out the assumptions within the question itself.  I would want to press those a bit.

    #3:  I think Carl has a good point on this one too.  Another nuance...does the last week of her life start on Sunday or end on Sunday?  If it starts on Sunday, it might be a good way to introduce the subject of life after death.  If it ends on Sunday, most all of the processing that person would have done is complete.  In short, Yes, I would take them to my church, but that is not the primary way I would communicate the gospel. 

    -mdd

    Good stuff…

  • Posted by

    Great article as always Todd;
    #1 Absolutely NOT! This is a traditional church that thinks it wants to be contemporary. The leadership model is TOP down led. Volunteer leaders are not viewed as “true” leaders. I’ve given my wife premission to go else where to be fed and nurtured, ‘cause it won’t happen here. I’m the music Pastor and every innovation has been rejected. I have talented children as musicians, dancers, sound and video tech support - none were accepted into the “fold”. I’m here for a job, to help them get to the next guy who can live with this ingrown culture.
    #2 I would have received pretty good instruction from James on Temptation. But since I’m not a believer i"m not sure freedom from the temptation of what, would have been my conclusion. The message centered on the cultural and specific known problems of that church. The worship would have bored me because it wasn’t contemporary.
    #3 Absolutely NOT! I have a half dozen churches I would rather take them to. The churchI serve in now takes care of their “own”, but outsiders remain outsiders for a long time. And some folks I know who’ve been there for years are still outsiders.

    I believe at first I was very hopeful, energetic and casting a vision for where I believe God wanted to take the church. I made a HUGE mistake by believing that what the leadership told me was what they really wanted and that they gave me the freedom and authority to pull it off.

    Now two years down the road, the leadership is split in their ministry desires, I don’t have the authority to do much except lead music, not necessarily worship. Every innovative plan was met with rejection and eventually the leaving of a talented support staff.  So this ministry has not been fun. But I believe I am still here for a reason, I’m not sure what that is yet, but I’m still hopeful.

    Blessings and joy to all of you who answered in the positive in your places of ministry. That is a joy to my heart. Wish I was one of them.
    Jim

  • Posted by

    #1. My answer is a little skewed because of my perspective. As a pastoral staff I view and see the various factions and complaints of people in the church that the average member doesn’t see, or doesn’t admit to seeing.

    #2 Yes - We glorify God in our worship and share His love through the music and preaching.

    #3. I agree with Carl on this one, I would rely more on my personal witness than to hope that something in the service would bring him to God. Look at Philip and the eunuch, He read the passage but did not understand what he read, we need to follow up with our friends to see that they understood what they heard.

  • Posted by

    Jim,
    Why on earth are you still there?

  • Posted by Tye Male

    First of all, thanks to Todd for this very simple, but important subject today!

    Jim - wow, I can feel your pain. I once told my wife that she should not go to the church I was working at due to the treatment she had received, and I believe it was one of the most loving things I did for my family. Second, I would encourage you to get your resume together and visit http://www.churchstaffing.com like I did. Working in a topdown leadership situation goes contrary to the very teaching of Jesus.

    I am happy to report that I am serving in a church that is servant led and is being blessed by God with continual growth. The caveat is that I have grown more than ever since coming here and my family has received an overwhelming amount love and support.

  • Posted by kent

    #1, some days yes, and some days no. Great people, but the worship is little flat for me once in awhile and since I am the senior pastor, well then I have to address this. I ask this question of myself and my staff regularly.
    #2. Jesus love you and calls you to into a challenging but awesome life.
    #3.  yes and I often try to.

    But the questions leave me a little unsettled. Not because of my congregation but because they seem to be centered around our needs and our demands and requirements. I understrand there are “bad” churches out there. However “bad” is defined you or me. Not Christ centered, hopelessly lost ni the 70’s, or leadership challenged. But again the focus is on what we resonate with and like and expect in a church.

    The focus seems backwards. I totally understand it, but it seems backwards. I am also not quite sure how to rephrase the question. But there is just something about it…

  • Posted by

    First - this Sunday was communion Sunday and the Senior Pastor always explains what we are celebrating, and gives the gospel in a simple form that anyone could understand and offers people the chance to pray and receive Christ right then.  So on the first Sunday of the month, the Gospel is formally a part of the service.

    Second, after almost 40 years of being a solo pastor and many years of leading the worship services, God has led me to an associate position - in which I participate from the pew on most Sundays.  I would say that most Sundays are really Christ-centered and God-honoring.  There is good variety of music - but the attempt is not to offer a consistent blend.  Rather it is to follow a theme -yesterday’s was grace - and the worship director chose the songs that would best help us praise God for His grace.  For the most part, I would choose to come to this church for both the worship and the Word.

    Third, I agree that an unsaved loved one needs to be dealt with one on one.  Just taking them to a church service would only plant seeds.  Someone individually needs to enjoy the harvest!

  • Posted by

    What a great question...posed by a great website!
    As much as I want to say yes-my heart says no.
    Reasons? I believe we (my current church) are stuck in the church business mode.  Pastor looks great on tv / a real bear to work with/for (dual personality) .  My current church was once a real leader in the community - now I find her trying to live on past exploits.  We offer both traditional worship and praise and worship styles - to say this divides us is an understatement.  I pray to God that I never get into this situation again.  Ann asked a previous post “then why are you still there?” My answer is that nobody probably has prayed harder and tried to move on more than me- right now, I’m where God desires to place me.  I agree with Jerry...I would move to a mini-Brooklyn Tabernacle in a heartbeat! I think that’s what God intended for the church all along.

  • Posted by Leonard

    Carl,
    I am not sure if question three was intended as a statement about personal evangelism as much as a way to discern the heartbeat of evangelism within your church.  Would someone find Christ in a life and death moment if they came to your church Sunday? 

    Same with question two.  I don’t think the question assumes a purpose for the church nearly as much as it is used to assess the message and effectiveness of that message for the church.

    That said, again great assessment questions.  I will use these for my staff team.

  • Posted by

    1.  If you weren’t on staff at your church, would you worship there?
    My first response is to say, “No.” And I wonder, is that more an indictment against me or the church? I would probably reject this church out of hand. It is not big, new, suburban, contemporary, etc. It is 175 yrs old, rural, traditional, small, etc. It is not my style of church. So why am I the pastor? Part of the answer is in response to question #3. Part of the answer is ministry is a job and a passion. This church A. Responded to my resume and interviewed a single guy. B. Wanted me. C. Fits with my responsibility to care for an aging parent. D. Small churches deserve good pastors too.

    And why would I not attend here? Am I too ‘good’ for these people, are my expectations too high, could I actually make a difference here instead of just being another spectator? I asked recently in a sermon, “Why don’t people make a choice on a church based on how much impact they could have? Why don’t they choose a church where they can offer the most rather than the church that has the most to offer them?  What would children learn if mom and dad said, “Yes, big church A has all the Programs and Personalities to make us feel good, but small church B has an opportunity for us to serve others, not just be served.” The choice could be just the opposite. Maybe the best place to serve for that family is the big church. But what should shape my choice more – what I like or where I can make a difference?

    I have a couple young men who are ‘seeking’ that attend regularly. They prefer to come here over the Cool church down the road.  If I become the Cool church lite, who will reach these guys? To quote Warren, “It takes all kinds of churches to reach all kinds of people.”

    So in response to your comments – do I shape the church to fit what I like or do I serve the people who are here? Do I disenfranchise the people who have built this community and serve each other so faithfully?

    So, in the end, I hope I would be wise enough and mature enough to attend this church.

    2.  If you didn’t know ANYTHING about Jesus, what would you know about him after a normal weekend at your church?
    If you spent a normal weekend with Jesus, what would you know about Jesus? His disciples spent three years with him and didn’t get it. Exactly what is someone supposed to “Get” about Jesus in one weekend at my church or Willow or SB or Mars Hill? I hope that person was actually brought to church and as a result is connected to a follower of Christ who can be a friend and guide.

    3.  If you had a loved one who didn’t know Christ, and they had one week left to live, would you take them to your church or another?
    Yes. But beyond getting the message they would get embraced. They would be showered with cards and calls and flowers and visits and prayers. This last week would not be spent alone.

  • Posted by

    1.  Yes
    2.  Not enough information about Jesus I think.  Does come down to the purpose of Sunday morning.  I would take issue with Carl’s post.  The “relational” concept offers people the same as attending Kiwanis or an Elks Lodge meeting.  Is the only reason why someone should come back based on relationships.  Clearly relationships are important, but shouldn’t they encounter some deeper truths about life by coming to church.  Will they return because they are intrigued by the person and the message of Jesus.
    3.  I don’t know.  Why should I have to take them to church to get them saved.

  • Posted by

    to question number:

    1. I would say no… the church has potential but the people that’s in leadership doesn’t spark. At times I feel like I’m in the valley of dry bones. The church I attend is dominated by older people, we have a hand full of young people my age, majority of the people are over the age of 50 and I’m 29. (nothing against older people, but at times I’m bored out of my mind)

    2. I would say yes, the people are warm, friendly, caring, and one could learn about Jesus.

    3. I would say it depends on what they’re going through.  If the person has been abused and need to experience the love of Jesus, I would bring them to my church. If the person is down and ready to give up on life, I would take them to my cousin church where he pastors. So it depends where the person is going through, and their age…

  • Posted by

    Friends
    To respond
    First - There are three churches I am associated with.  The first one is the one I Pastor and have ministry in nursing homes and on local cable access TV.  I play the music and preach. 
    The residents and some staff enjoy the music and those who still comprehend, enjoy the Word as well. I have received feedback from those who have viewed me on TV; so Yes for the first.  The second one is the ‘regular church we go to.  There is anointed worship and one gets more that a ‘good feeling’ during the first part of the service.  Yes to the second - We are ready to hear the message.  The last church I associate with is my cross-cultural fellowship with my Brazilian Brothers.  The music is different, but so is their worship and it is uplifting. So yes to the third. 
    Regarding the second question - with all three is a YES.  Even on my television program (which is on a local cable community access - (available to all through the internet) the call to salvation through Jesus Christ has never been left out of the message for the over two years of biweekly programs since I have been on the air.  One never knows when that lost soul will be channel surfing and listen to the Word for the last time.  As the old cliche goes “strike while the iron is HOT!
    As for as the last question.  I have had my unsaved relatives attend the nursing home service, watched the TV program and have attended my other church.  I am most blessed that The Lord has provided an access for me to bring those in my family and friends to a place where the LORD is preached and not just a “feel good” message.
    Just a closing thought....we neglect Bible studies, Sunday School and children’s church. We (as leaders) should expect (and demand) the children and the older ones to study - and be prepared for the ‘class’.  If we ran public/private school and colleges/universities like we have ‘church’ we would be the most ignorant people on the planet (of course there are many exceptions!!!).  One last thought - to be saved is not dependend on church attendance, but fellowshipping with the family is.  This is why the writer of Hebrews wrote (Heb 10:25) “not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”
    Let us remember, we have the Truth, the Way and the Life through Jesus Christ.  There are too many watching TV, playing sports and are searching for the truth through many differing religious circles, and yet that truth is looking them square in the eye saying ‘come to Me and I will give you rest” Matthew 11:28.  Brothers and Sisters in Christ - let us pray for those who are dissatisfied with ‘church’ and “religion” and let them gain “"relationship"” with the LORD as He intended when He created us.

  • Posted by

    1.  ABSOLUTELY!  And I’d worship at your Church!  And I’d worship at any other Church!  And I’d worship in the hills, at the bar, on the street or any other place!  The condition, expression, presentation or any other quality of a Church and its services are entirely irrelevant and incapable of hindering the worship of one who walks in intimacy with our Father.

    2.  I would probably know far less about Him after a weekend at my Church, or your Church or any other Church, than I would if I had spent that weekend just hanging out with (me) or hopefully you or another brother or sister in the Lord where I might actually see how Christians loving each other gets fleshed out in REAL LIFE.

    3.  I would not take my dying unsaved mother to ANY Church with hope of her finding Christ there.  If she hasn’t seen Him sufficiently in my life and relationships, she’s not likely to be overcome by His spirit of faith by going to Church.  The Gospel preached is a worthless message and a lie at best if it is not revealed in the manifested life of the vessels proclaiming its truth.  Church services, as such, are the least effective tool of evangelism on the planet today!  But...a real life community of believers who are walking out relationship with each other in unconditional love to the extent that they are becoming one with each other just like Jesus and Father are one...well...that dog will hunt!

  • Posted by Jan

    We’ve asked ourselves this question in the past and would have said no then.

    But now I would say a definite yes to all three.  PTL!

  • Posted by

    Haven’t commented much lately but am mostly a daily reader.  This has always been a community of believers walking through life together in different situations.  Glad to see Jim Eaton’s name as we hadn’t heard from him in awhile.  I guess in cyberspace anyone can bow out at any given moment and no one knows what has happened to them but sometimes the rest of the family hopes they are OK.  I just appreciate the various view points given on any given day and would like everyone to know you are appreciated.  I would weigh in on the side that it’s more a relational issue with the unsaved family member than bringing them to any church.  All of us should be able to present the gospel to our loved ones and let God take it from there.  Since we worship in spirit and in truth there are many avenues which we could take and God would look on our hearts and recognize true worship over outward form.  As for hearing a clear presentation of the gospel on any given Sunday, well who can say what elemental word, thought or song could break through to a hard heart.  It’s not something you can do as a routine checklist.  When the Spirit moves who can tell from outward signs what has taken place in the heart?  Sometimes to me we place too much emphasis on an A to B to C concept instead of an adventurous, relational journey which speaks to the emptiness in the heart of men.

  • Posted by

    Just wanted to add… the question was specifically about your church.  So when people answer that it’s about relationships regarding unsaved family members, it’s not answering the question.  I think those of us that responded that we would bring unsaved family members to church the last week of their life understand that the foundation of a relationship has already been laid and would have been sharing Christ with them.  Just want to make that clear - I don’t think anyone here would say that all of sudden in the last week of someone’s life they would bring them to church but never attempt to talk to them about the Lord one-on-one.  I would have thought that would have gone without saying.

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