For as long as anyone can remember, the model the church has used is to have a building, a pastor, a musician, and to make worship the primary function. There has been other support involved – education, fellowship, and special gatherings like funerals and weddings, celebrations, etc. The church grew because people in the denomination moved and found similar churches, or had babies to help replace members who had died. The culture assisted the churches too – ensuring that “blue laws” existed, telling the story of Christianity, etc. In other words, the church held a privileged position in American culture. It was expected that this would continue.
Except that’s not happening.
“The model we have used — a church, a pastor and a commitment by people to support the enterprise — is getting harder and harder to maintain.”
(Source – click here)
That’s a quote from an article about churches closed in Minnesota. But it’s not only about churches in Minnesota. It’s nationwide.
The church needs to face the reality that the times have changed. The church no longer has a privileged place in society. But the church still acts like it does in many cases. The church no longer can count on members of the denomination moving into the area to fill the pews. There are more and more “nones,” people who don’t believe. The church can’t use the same model it did before because the circumstances have changed. But that’s exactly what many churches are doing – holding onto a model that doesn’t meet the current challenges.
Fashion changes, sports teams change, businesses change, politics changes – but somehow many in the church don’t think that change applies to the church. The problem with this is that there are fatal consequences for this. If the church doesn’t change its model, it will die.
What would a new model for the church be? I don’t think there is just one model that will work. I think it depends on the people gathered together in community. One church may thrive by turning to ministry in the community, another by a focus on worship, another by selling it’s building and the expenses that go with it. The point is, we’re in a new era where a new model is needed – or rather, new models are needed.
A good set of questions might be, if we were gathering together as believers in Jesus for the first time, what would this look like? What would we be doing? Where do we see the Spirit at work? What is drawing in people? What allows us to best carry out the mission God has for us?
Numbers don’t lie – even in the age of fake news. Trends tell us important information. We can either ignore the trends or learn from them. This much I know – continuing with an old model, because it’s what we know, will lead to many more churches closing their doors. Adopting a new model is a risk – a big risk. It could be a complete and utter failure. Or it could mean new life. The first option isn’t a good option. The second option is a risk. This is where the church has to ask itself this question – are we all in? Do we trust Jesus and where he is sending us? If so, there really is only one option.
Laced up Lutheran 
I find myself in a challenging discussion impinging heavily on just this topic on my blog in the last two days particularly, and forever in general.
Thanx for exploring this.
The building, pastor, and all that as model…
Hmmm…
Like you, I am not prepared to say there is JUST ONE Model, though I suspect it. But I am sure that the church is an extension of the Body of Christ, it is his bride (thus ONE Flesh with him) and where two or three are gathered in his name, he is there.
Thus I look at Jesus in the Gospels and hear what he says, do what he says, and watch what he does. He himself is our model, the seeds in the ground of our imagination. How do we collectively BE him in our world today?
He walks the dusty Galilean trails preaching, healing, feeding, loving and confronting etc… all leading to Jerusalem where he ratchets up the confrontation and dies!
Hows all that for a model?
I propose we explore it carefully.
Having a building is not necessary and may actually be a liability. But if we have one, how might we imagine it as an extension of us… of him? And deploy its use likewise???
the pastor actually is Scriptural, though perhaps we need to revisit the Scripture and work that out a bit differently too…
Let’s talk!
Love this.
thanx
X
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Great questions X. This type of conversation is really helpful. I think the biggest thing for the church is to let go of the idea that there is only one model that works. I see this starting to take place. I love the question about using the building as an extension of Jesus. Our society has gone through a huge change. It’s not that we conform to society, but rather, it’s recognizing what has changed and seeing how we need to adapt to that change. Things that are alive change and adapt. This means the church too – it is a living thing, not just a building. It will change and adapt. That’s the only constant that exists. Pastors change, new people come, some people die, ministries start, ministries end. Change is already happening in the church. Do we face this or do we run and hide from it?
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I wish I had an answer for a new model. I believe that the answer lies partially in the minds of the younger generations, the future of the church, but the dilemma is how to reach them since so very few young couples/individuals are engaged in a congregation. Do we have to become digital to reach them…..maybe. But how? I feel St Stephen is responding to God’s call to serve those in our midst who exist marginally in society…..but it is a core group of believers in this mission, not the congregation entirely, as all are not called in that direction. Everyone gets involved in our festivals to raise money to help those individuals, and that, too, is responding to God’s call. I would be heartbroken if St Stephen’s doors closed….I don’t think God will allow it…..is that a pie in the sky perception?
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This goes beyond just St. Stephen to the larger church since this is something that is affecting the larger church. As for St. Stephen, I see life in the ministries – it’s what draws people in. That is where Jesus is at work. That’s what we can embrace and rethink church.
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Yes, yes, yes beyond St Stephen. So is this to say that the ones that close aren’t fulfilling the great commission? Aren’t trying hard enough? Not involved enough?
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I don’t think that’s what this means. The church isn’t ours. The church doesn’t grow by our efforts. The church is God’s ultimately. It comes and goes as God pleases. Remember, we can’t earn salvation. And we can’t force growth. Sometimes, I think God looks at the church and decides it is time to close a chapter of it so that a new chapter can begin. In some cases, that will mean churches close. In other cases, it might mean that new ministries start where older ministries end. And in other cases it will mean something entirely different.
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P.S.
Ms. Debbie left a comment on one of my recent posts the other day detailing a church she is checking out in Oklahoma. They are into OUTREACH to the poor and all… and they have tee shirts that say, “The Church has left the building”.
Ha…
You gotta be old enough to remember Elvis to get that, but I love it!
Don’t look for her blog, she doesn’t have one, but I am hoping she returns with more news about this church soon.
X
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That’s awesome!
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“The church has left the building.” I like that!
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Great and bold article. The story of my more recent life, having experienced ‘church’ within and outside of the institutional over decades. I’ve just read Scot McKnight’s Patheos/Jesus Creed evaluation of Willow Creek, it reveals other down-sides to especially autonomous church institutions. Personally I think ‘organic church’ is a much better option to explore, the pro’s outweigh any con’s imho.
Blessings, thinking folk!
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Thanks for the comments. I appreciate the insight you bring.
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You make an excellent point. I think people need relevance. We should go to church to either be revitalized or to serve using our gifts. The real missing ingredient is passion for our Lord Jesus Christ. We should ask ourselves, “What steps need to be taken to accomplish that?” Without passion, no model will bring about the desired results.
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Jesus is the center of what it means to be church. Everything else comes from that. Jesus has to be the center of any model of church. And it’s because Jesus is the center that I think there is more than one model for church.
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Yes He is! BTW: I really enjoy reading your blog!
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Thank you for reading it Cindy.
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“The church can’t use the same model it did before because the circumstances have changed. But that’s exactly what many churches are doing – holding onto a model that doesn’t meet the current challenges.”
Agreed! I really like what you said about, “One church may thrive by turning to ministry in the community, another by a focus on worship, another by selling it’s building and the expenses that go with it.” I have long thought that selling the building and its expenses is what many churches should do.
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