Looking for Options

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One of the secrets of growth is to be constantly aware of the new opportunities that can move your people forward. As good as the present is --- there is never a time when new options don’t need to be examined for the future and then if decline comes in any area, you have already gone through the “What If’s” and know which direction will be the most productive. Your ability to change course in the event of these “roadblocks” are in direct proportion to the time you have spent visioning the options in the past. You probably know some pastors and congregations that seem to recover from most every setback without “missing a beat”. They seem to be immune to adversity and others wonder how they do it! Believe me --- it’s no accident, since in almost every case they have gone over the options before hand

One of the keys to being creative in that kind of planning is through “networking” with others who have gone through much the same experiences and help give direction to your choosing the right path for your congregation. For some reason, many pastors and congregations are very hesitant to talk with their colleagues about anything that is or could be a problem. They’re a little like many men driving that won’t stop to ask directions when they aren’t sure where to go --- they just ”clam up” and try to stumble onto the right way. The failure to view the Christian community as “Partners in Christ” is one of the leading reasons for the decline of a majority of our congregations. The “We and Them” attitude prevents most of our Lutheran congregations from exchanging ideas and creative thoughts with other Christian congregations; some of whom are experiencing great growth in an increasingly changing culture.

Many of the new approaches that these growing congregations are using to bring the Good News to today’s cultures could be easily adapted to our Lutheran concept of worship, but they first need to be viewed with open minds. Growth is the result of implementing creative options that just won’t happen in a “vacuum of change”. There is no such thing as negative growth and saying “that’s all right for other people” is a “one way ticket” to decline!

What are the obstacles standing in the way of your congregation to become a more effective learning center for people who can become disciples for Christ? Do you have a plan for helping your people grow in faith and belief? Are your goals to grow the people spiritually --- or grow the congregation in numbers and giving? The congregations that DO grow in those areas are the ones that focus on growing the people!

If your congregation is at a “standstill” and needs a change of direction, start looking at your options. Those options are as close as your cell phone or your keypad, so find out what’s working for others. Network --- ask questions --- find the options --- and grow!

That’s just good stewardship!