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It’s Just Not Working

Orginally published on Tuesday, September 06, 2005 at 3:33 PM
by Todd Rhoades

Bill Hull writes, "We had just commissioned 83 new members. It was a proud moment. The newly initiated throng made their way off the platform, while I moved closer to the congregation to begin my sermon.  This is great, isn’t it?" I began. "But before we get too giddy about new members, let me ask you a question. Why should we bring 83 new people into something that isn’t working?"…

It was the first time in thirty years of ministry I had admitted something I was leading wasn't working. It appeared to be working, but it just wasn't.

"Something is wrong," I said. "It has been tormenting me for several years. All the formulas, strategic planning, mission statements and visionary sermons are not making disciples." Indeed, I was haunted by it. Where was the personal transformation after all the effort we put into weekend services, Bible studies, small groups, and outreach events?

We were stuck in the same rut that so many churches find themselves in?religious activity without real transformation."

You can read all of Bill's article here at Leadership Journal...

The phrase that really got to me was that many churches are stuck in a "rut...religious activity without real transformation."

Is it just me, or is this chronic in today's church?  Churches doing everything but the main thing; and in doing so, becoming stagnant and ineffective in virtually everything?

Leaders, have you been there?  Are you there now?  How do you counter-act the temptation to being busy at the cost of ending up being ineffective?

Just wondering...

Todd


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 TRACKBACKS: (0) There are 9 Comments:

  • Posted by bernie dehler

    I think it will be interesting to see what happens to Bill Hull.  I’m sure he’ll never go back to business as usual.  When you look at the Old Testament, the people were great at doing religious services, but having bad hearts (praise with lips, but not honoring with the heart). 

    Religiousity is one of the most serious threats to Christianity.  It’s great to see conversions of this magnitude from “religiousity” to “Christianity.” He’s now seeing the spiritual dimension, and the need to grow in it and disciple others.  Our number one goal in life should be to become more Christ-like… a true spiritual exercise in submission to God’s will, rather than our own (contrary to the popular health & wealth self-centered teaching).

    Galatians 2:20 (New International Version)
    20I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

    Luke 9:23 (New International Version)
    23Then he said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

    ...Bernie
    http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/247/

  • Posted by Rick

    Hey Todd,

    If we are branch and He is the vine and our #1 priority is abiding in the vine, just what does ‘keep us from being ineffective’?  Would it be ‘trying to produce fruit rather than bear fruit’?  Are we branches who grunt and groan with effort to produce fruit that only the vine can produce?

    Maybe we need to ‘be busy’ abiding in the vine and defending ourselves from motivations that would prompt us to try and produce fruit rather than bear fruit?

    I hurt for the professional ministry types.  It must really be tough to combat the worldly models of success against the leading of the Spirit.

    I say abide, rest and trust that God can do in a moment what you think would take a lifetime.

    Does that makes sense Todd...are my comments even in the realm of consideration?

  • Posted by Todd Rhoades

    Rick,

    Sure, I see your point… but it has to work both ways.  Don’t assume the people with the fruit are producing it themselves rather than resting and trusting.  And at the same time, resting and trusting is great; but we also have a job to do:  produce fruit.  Can the branch do it by itself?  Absolutely not; but the branch has some primary responsibilities.  We, as branches, need to use our gifts and callings in such a way that the vine continually is able to produce fruit ‘through us’.

    I hope this makes sense (it’s EARLY!)

    Todd

  • Posted by

    What frightens me even more is that we assume that our plan is always Gods. Sometimes what has worked in the past doesn’t always work in the present. I think that’s how we get in a rut. Because we assume the results will always equal the amount of effort and the type of strategy needed to accomplish the task we lose hope when that plan fails. God sees us where we are as leaders and He also sees where those people are who are following our example. The key to drive our ministry oftentimes never has to do with strategy and our ability to accomplish the tasks God has put in our lives. By this I’m not saying that we don’t need strategy or the ability to accomplish the task He has given us but God doesn’t always use those things to accomplish what He wants in us and in the lives of who are under us. Sometimes He uses bad circumstances or people with evil intentions to turn around the mondaine and spiritual dryness of doing “Church”. Just this past Sunday I was helping out with the worship in a youth service at a church I used to attend. In this church was a lot of politics and strife but in the midst of it all, God showed up in a way that was virtually indescribable. Here was this church in all its trouble and God was right in the middle of the youth service transforming lives as we sang and worshiped God. His presence was so strong that all of us leading in the service felt unworthy and unclean before Him. Although most of the regular group was missing and others who were personally involved in the difficulties of the church wasn’t there to experience it, God blew up our service and transformed lives in a powerful way. It wasn’t an experience that was defined by emotional standards but one that spoke to every heart causing each of us question our walk with God. In other words, we felt as Isaiah did when he told God that he was a man of unclean lips. I honestly don’t believe that God would have showed up in such a way had we not needed that to happen. Because of the great trouble this church was experiencing, I was forced to ask God to help us in a way that I have never before asked of God. It was a call of desparation and hunger for God to step into this situation. I wasn’t able to utilize my musical training to bail me out of what I knew that awaited me. And I certainly couldn’t out wit those behind this awful situation and turn it around by convincing people that the devil was having his way with this church. All I could do was lean on God and do what He has called me to do. There wasn’t a talent or college course that was going to help here. If this was going to work God would have to protect us from this great storm. Guess what? He did and although people were angry about what was happening, God was moving. Moving in a way that I hadn’t felt in a long time. Moving so much that it drove teenagers to their knees calling on God and asking Him to meet their needs. With tears streaming down our faces others in the church were plotting to destroy the work God was doing. They couldn’t stop it. At least not that Sunday. There is still great trouble there and many have and are planing to leave this church but I believe that we all learned something that night. Once again, Jesus revealed to us that He hadn’t left. He was and always will be with those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. Please pray for unity and ask that God will protect those trying to do His will. There is a lot of people just like me who have spent their lives in the desert believing God for the impossible; change in the church of America. Many of us are hiding in caves and running from the devil’s opression. But if we stand together and stop the daily grind of midiocrity as Bill Hull and many others have, then we will be able to speak and lead with authority and power to change lives. The moment we stop thinking about ourselves and see the needs of others we are sending God an invitation to do what He wants and how He wants it. God bless.

  • Posted by

    As we consider the vine and the branches, we also must understand the principle of pruning.

    A vine (the main artery of sustenance) creates branches (the birthing place of fruit) with the purpose of reaching out for light, air, and water. 

    However, branches that die will be pruned by the keeper in order to allow the nutrients to better feed the efficient and productive branches.  The healthy branches are then better able to reach out.  All the “dry” branches suck essential elements from the fruitful ones and block them from reaching their potential.

    I don’t have an answer on how to bring back life and fruit to a dying branch.  I have experienced God’s pruning in my ministry and have found it painful and trying.  However, His pruning has ALWAYS encouraged new growth and healthier fruit in the long run.

  • Posted by

    I long for freedom in worship in the church and authentic Christianity.  Previous revivals have required more than mere Christianity.  Jeremiah says that if we seek Him we will find Him if we seek God with all our hearts.

  • Posted by

    Irwin McMannus said at the worship conference at Saddleback, that the church today is deeply “religious” but not very “Spiritual”. What does that mean? I cannot define it fully, or comprehensively complete the discussion. However, I see a lot of religious activity, but as Hull asked, where is the transformation? Where is the evidence and affirmation that real “spiritual” change has taken place?When we speak of “walking” with Christ, or being spiritual, what I usually hear are lists of things we are doing: prayer, Bible study, fellowshiping, worshipping, tithing, serving etc. All good things, but they can be just religious activity. What’s the difference? Religious activity comes from a root belief that the approval of God is earned, or we find favor when we do these “prescribed” activities. Spiritual activity comes from the root of a relationship with Christ: I can’t help but not do what He asks. I’m compelled to follow with my whole heart. I don’t have to earn His love, I already have it, but I love doing it for Him because He’s asked me. Does that mean there isn’t any struggle? Of course not! If we listen to our hearts “first” we will always hear God speaking to us saying what He was for our lives to be involved in. Paul gave us a key, he said.”...if we live by the Spirit let us also walk by the Spirit.” He is unpredictable, sometimes difficult to discern whether its flesh, Him or the enemy. But “spiritual” people seek to walk by His mandate and command, not by denominational edict, a heirarchy of laws, or for approval or acceptance. Hull’s words sounded like his spirit was hungry for reality (transformation) not just more church statistics. The early church knew what walking by the Spirit meant. And I believe the hungry are being led by His Spirit today. And that’s why some are looking differently at “church” and saying “something is missing.” I want more of God and less of “church”.  If church is causing believers to grow, and find deep spiritual renewal, to be excited, reaching out to the lost, finding joy in everyday life, seeking God with your whole heart, then that’s the church we are members.

  • Posted by

    I started a church with just my family , over the next 6 years we grew from 5 to 120 , never had a money problem , people always gave and our needs as church were met , I always told my congregation that if I ever saw the day when our church stopped growing and lives stopped be changed I would simply close the doors , after a while the people turned into fat cats on the word of God , they heard the Word but really weren’t interested in having a large church so growth was stopped in peoples hearts , so one day I closed the doors , everyone was shocked but Gad had called me to start it and He told me to stop it as well , the moments behind the pulpit were better than life itself ,it was hard to close those doors but I had to do it .

  • Posted by

    Tom,

    What is a “Word of God fat cat”?

    How did the church stop growing and how were lives no longer being changed?

    What were/are you expectations and what do you do now Tom?

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