competition Archives - Passion for Planting

Is Your Church a Country Club?, Part 2

Sean Cronin — Sun, 06 Dec 2020 10:00:44 +0000

Home > Blog > Is Your Church a Country Club?, Part 2

Is Your Church a Country Club?, Part 2

By Josh Laxton

In my previous post I began outlining four identifiers that your church might be more like a country club than a church. Once again, I’m not knocking country club memberships. If you are a member of one, I give you permission to sing along with Travis Tritt—loud and proud—“I’m a member of a country club….” [If you are a country music fan, maybe you just got that song stuck in your head for the remainder of the day. You’re welcome!]

The reason for my posts is that I fear many American believers view the church as a country club. Or at the very least, they practically behave as if the church was indeed a country club. Regardless, viewing the church or behaving as if the church is a country club distorts both the identity and the mission of the church.

Knowing the characteristics of a country club can help protect the church from becoming or being viewed as such. Here are the remaining four identifiers that your church might be more of a country club that members pay for than the church that Jesus died for.

1. Your church might be a country club if your members worry about public disruption.

One of the benefits of being a member of a country club is that you don’t typically have to worry about the public infringing upon your property. In other words, the members of the club can enjoy the exclusivity of the club’s amenities. They don’t have to vie for tee times, tables in the dining room, the pool, or the tennis courts. In short, they can enjoy their club with minimal crowd or public disruption.

For many churches, and church members, they don’t like crowds—they don’t like newer people coming in and disrupting the way things are. They want their same parking spot for both their car and their rear. In addition, church members may fear more newer people means more newer things. In other words, if the public comes in, they may shape the church house into something they aren’t comfortable with.

I know what many church members say. They say, “We want to grow and reach new people.” What they really mean, however, is, “We want to grow and reach new people as long as it’s convenient and agreeable for us.” In other words, they are fine as long as the newer people don’t rock the boat or disrupt what they have going on. It’s incumbent to keep in mind, Jesus didn’t die for His people to protect their exclusivity, but for His people to proclaim and demonstrate the inclusivity of the gospel—that Jesus is for all mankind.

2. Your church might be a country club if you view other churches (“clubs”) as competition.

The last thing you want if you are a club owner—or a club member at that—is people leaving and going down the street to the newer, bigger, and fancier club. In fact, if a club starts losing lots of members to the club down the street, they begin to see them as their big bad competitor. As a result, there tends to be a sour taste towards the “other” club. In addition, there tends to be reactive measures taken by the “losing’ club. Instead of having their own identity and crafting the club accordingly, they copycat the club down the street—thinking such measures will plug the leak.

Churches should be different. Churches aren’t in competition with one another but are partners in the Great Commission. I believe the reason why many churches and church members see each other as competitors is because for the last thirty years or so, there’s been a lot of swapping going on. Something happens at one church, and people leave to go down the street to the other. Or, another church sprouts up with a “better” band, preacher, children’s ministry, and environment, and people from the “older” church leave to attend the newer. Such a cycle is built upon consumerism which drives competition.

Church leaders must learn to be secure in who God has called them to be and what He has called them to do. While every church has the same call and task—or the same message and mission—the way they go about enacting them should have flexibility. In other words, church shouldn’t come in a one-size fits all mold. As J.D. Greear expresses, “We are to marry the mission [and the message], and date the method.” Every church must seek the face of God to determine how they are to flesh out their call and task there in their locale. Keep in mind, it may not look like the church down the street. And that’s OK.

Don’t misunderstand what I’m saying. I’m not suggesting there’s nothing to learn from one another. I think there is plenty we can glean from the various models and styles of church. However, the minute we see another church as a competitor and not as family is the minute we Americanize the church’s mission—to be better than the church right down the street.

The minute we see another church as a competitor and not as family is the minute we Americanize the church’s mission.

3. Your church might be a country club if 99.9% of your programs and events evolve around members.

Have you ever noticed the calendar of a country club? Almost every single event and program is for its membership. There might have been more, but the only event that I saw on the calendar that involved outsiders was the member-guest golf tournament. Like I said, there could have been more, I just didn’t see them. Such a practice shouldn’t be odd though. Should it? The members do pay for the club’s services and amenities. Thus, it would only stand to reason every event and program would revolve around the members.

Having every event and program revolving around members isn’t a bad thing if implemented at a country club. However, it is detrimental if implemented at a church. The church is a body or organization where the membership doesn’t exist for itself but for those who have yet to join. If churches aren’t intentional, they will find that most of what they do is geared for insiders not outsiders. But if churches will stay true to their Christ-given mission, they will develop their ministries and programs with non-members in mind. If not, they are well on their way to becoming a country club.

4. Your church might be a country club if you create an environment of becoming before belonging.

If you are going to belong to a country club, you will have to become of member of that club. It is as simple as that. Sure, some clubs offer you an opportunity to try out the golf course and the kitchen prior to joining. Nevertheless, if you are going to belong and find community at the club, you will first have to become a member. Just out of curiosity, I wonder what would happen if clubs allowed people to belong to the club before they became a member? Perhaps more people would join?

In the church there’s a small debate over the progression of people’s faith and involvement with the church. Do people believe (in Christ), then become (a member of a church), and then belong (to the community)? Do they belong, then believe, and then become? Once again, I don’t believe there is a one-size fits all for every person. However, I do believe the church must be flexible on each person’s process and progression in the faith and involvement with the church.

Having said that, I do believe churches should be very careful at creating environments that prohibit people from experiencing Christian community before they actually become a Christian. In other words, churches would do well to create safe environments for people to belong before they believe and even become. Just out of curiosity, what kind of impact do you think a church could have if they created safe places for nonmembers (people far from God) to belong as they explored faith, engaged in a Christian community, and witnessed authentic worship?

Country clubs are places that provide services people pay for, whereas the church is a body of believers providing service for the king who died for them.

In closing, there’s definitely more that could be said with regards to churches behaving more like a country club than what Jesus intended for them. The reality is, country clubs are places that provide services people pay for, whereas the church is a body of believers providing service for the king who died for them. When church leaders and church members keep this at the forefront of their mind, they will be a missional vehicle advancing the good news to a people in desperate need rather than a recreational vehicle enjoying the amenities of a religious club.

Source: Is Your Church a Country Club?, Part 2

The post Is Your Church a Country Club?, Part 2 appeared first on Passion for Planting.

The Growing Megachurch Isn’t Your Enemy. This Is.

Sean Cronin — Mon, 26 Oct 2020 09:00:57 +0000

By Carey Nieuwhof: Who are you really ‘competing’ against in ministry?

It’s an interesting question, and you may be tempted to dismiss as either inappropriate or bad theology. Fair enough.

Except a lot of leaders are competitive, and if you’ve ever felt yourself secretly resenting anything that seems to be competing with your ministry’s growth, it might be a good idea to ask the question.

Leaders can waste a lot of otherwise productive time and energy battling false competitors, and meanwhile the real problem gets ignored. The crisis we’re currently in makes it even that much more important, because you don’t have time to waste or energy to spare.

It’s easy to envy growing, successful churches or get mad at the church across town (or megachurch) that stole your members in an epic sheep swap. It’s also a mistake.

So…what’s the difference between the competition in your head and the real battle you should be fighting?

Here are four false competitors most church leaders battle, and the real competition we too often ignore at our own peril.

It’s easy to envy growing, successful churches or get mad at the church that stole your members in an epic sheep swap. It’s also a mistake.

Click to Tweet

END .ss-ctt-wrapper

1. The megachurch in your city or online

About that megachurch church many pastors live in fear of…are they your competition?

That question gets accelerated in a post-COVID world as more and more church attendance shifts online. In all likelihood, what’s happening is a significant number people who used to attend a local church have now switched to being part of a mega-church or other church with an strong online presence.

While we won’t really know what’s happened until after we move into a post-pandemic world, I’m guessing the 18% of churches that consistently report growth during 2020 are seeing a percentage of that growth from Christians who used to attend another church. (Consolidation is the #1 trend of the 7 New Disruptive Church Trends outlined here.)

As hard as it might be to see that happen, growing megachurches are not actually your ‘competition’. (Here are 5 more unfair myths about mega-churches).

Different churches trying to reach the world do not create a case of Coke v. Pepsi or Amazon v. Walmart. No, deciding another church is your competitor is more like Coke deciding to take on Coke, or Amazon battling Amazon. That’s usually known as suicide, right?

One church should never try to take on another church, but we do. And when we do, we lose.

To make matters worse, trying to become the rock star preacher when that’s not your gifting or pretending to be something you’re not only makes the problem worse.

Imitation kills innovation and your soul. Envy rots the bones. Nothing good comes from that dark place.

So what should you and I do with the growing megachurch in your city or online?

Celebrate what God is doing through others, and focus on what he’s called you to do, that’s what.

Celebrate what God is doing through others, and focus on what he’s called you to do

Click to Tweet

END .ss-ctt-wrapper

2. The church next door

The church next door is not your competition either, no matter what size. Even if the church is growing like crazy, it’s still not your competition.

It’s easy to lose sight of the fact that your church isn’t THE church, and when you do, everyone loses. When any church flourishes, it’s cause to celebrate, not a reason to complain, fear or compete.

It’s easy to lose sight of the fact that your church isn’t THE church, and when you do, everyone loses.

Click to Tweet

END .ss-ctt-wrapper

When it comes to the church, when one part of the body hurts, we all hurt. And when one thrives, we all celebrate.

The pastor you resent is your ally, not your competitor.

When churches start cooperating with each other rather than competing against each other, unchurched people see unity. Unity and respect are far more attractive than division.

The pastor you resent is your ally, not your competitor.

Click to Tweet

END .ss-ctt-wrapper

3. In-person attendance

The new kid on the block for false competitors is in-person attendance.

As churches reopen for physical gathering, you can sense an emerging competition between those who gather for ‘real church’ in person and those who participate online.

What if that’s a false dichotomy?

As churches reopen for physical gathering, you can sense an emerging competition between those who gather for ‘real church’ in person and those who participate online. What if that’s a false dichotomy?

Click to Tweet

END .ss-ctt-wrapper

Most churches have seen sliding or plateaued attendance for years prior to COVID.

To belittle online attenders as not-real attenders is a great way to alienate what’s left of your congregation.

If your future plan is get everyone back in the building, prepare for a future of diminishing returns.

If your plan is to see church as being online and onsite, you’ll see a much brighter future.

Wise leaders will see online church as something they cooperate with rather than compete with.

If your future plan is get everyone back in the building, prepare for a future of diminishing returns.

Click to Tweet

END .ss-ctt-wrapper

4. The weather

You’re probably thinking….the weather? What’s the weather doing on this list?

Almost every pastor I know (myself included) has at one time or another thought of the weather as our competition.

Snowing again? People aren’t going to come.

Too rainy? People will stay home.

Too sunny and warm? Everyone’s going to head to the beach.

I’ve even had one pastor who lives in a really nice climate that his enemy is wind. If it’s too windy, he told me, attendance drops. I wish I was making that up. I’m not.

The perfect conditions for church seem to be overcast but not raining, cool but not too cold…just miserable enough that people say “It’s not that nice out, so let’s head to church.”

I realize it’s kind of sad we’ve gotten ourselves into this place, but even so, the weather isn’t your real competition. And just a note: church online solves any and all weather issues, except the issue of your real competition.

So to that point, what actually is your real competition?

The Real Competition: Indifference

The real competition for the local church isn’t another church, the mega-church, online church or the weather. It’s indifference.

You ready for this?

People aren’t thinking about you. Or if they are, they don’t see enough value to drop what they’re doing to join in.

The real competition for the local church isn’t another church, the mega-church, online church or the weather. It’s indifference.

Click to Tweet

END .ss-ctt-wrapper

I know that hurts, but it also paves the way for you and your team to reposition yourself for the future.

The average unchurched person doesn’t like awake on Saturday night wondering what you’re going to preach on next.

He does lie awake at night though, wondering if his marriage is always going to be this bad, if he’s going to be stuck in a job that leaves him feeling so unfulfilled, and if his drinking is starting to get the best of him.

That average unchurched person lies awake at night wondering if her kids are going to be okay, how bad her husband’s porn problem is and if the emptiness in her soul will ever go away.

As you know, these are all spiritual questions.

Unchurched people are asking spiritual questions. They just don’t think the church can help.

Unchurched people are asking spiritual questions. They just don’t think the church can help.

Click to Tweet

END .ss-ctt-wrapper

Of course you can help. The key is to cut through the indifference.

How do you do that? Well, this website (and the internet) is full of ways to do that, but let me highlight three briefly.

I. Be the Local Church

So, no, you’re not the leader of your favorite megachurch or church you most admire. No problem.

Just be the leader of your local church. Love your city, township, village….your people.

Nobody should be able to out-local the local church. I promise you the megachurch you admire/envy won’t.

Nobody should be able to out-local the local church.

Click to Tweet

END .ss-ctt-wrapper

II. Make Your Passion For the Mission White Hot

I get it, passion waxes and wanes in all of us (even in the best leaders). And the current moment has made it that much harder.

But one of the differences between leaders who are effective over the long haul and those who are not is that the effective leaders always find a way to keep the passion for the future alive.

By contrast, leaders of stuck or declining churches or organizations generally do NOT burn with drive, desire or passion.

In fact, I can’t think of a single leader of a growing church who isn’t passionate about their mission.

So stoke your passion.

Your congregation will never be more passionate about your mission than you are.

Click to Tweet

END .ss-ctt-wrapper

III. Play Your Unique Role

If God wanted you to be the leader you’re jealous of, he would have made you that leader. But, he made you, well, you.

It can be so easy to feel inadequate for the job…that you’re not gifted enough, talented enough or smart enough to do what you’re called to do.

Not true. And besides, putting on an act every day is exhausting.

Leaders who are comfortable with themselves, who know their limitations, and who can lean into their unique gifting have a great future ministry to an unchurched culture.

Those are some of the key ingredients in authenticity. And authentic leaders resonate with a culture that’s tired of being hyped, sold and manipulated.

Stop wishing things were ideal and embrace the real. It will take you further than you think.

Click to Tweet

END .ss-ctt-wrapper

The Art of Better Preaching

As much as the digital reality has changed everything, some of the core principles of sermon preparation and excellent communication never change. Great communication is simple great communication.

If you’re ready to start preaching better sermons and reach the unchurched without selling out, then it’s time to start using the right tips, lessons, and strategies to communicating better.

The Art of Better Preaching Course is a 12 session video training with a comprehensive, interactive workbook that will help you create, write, and deliver better sermons. The course contains the lessons Mark Clark (lead pastor of Village Church, a growing mega-church in post-Christian Vancouver) and I have learned, taught, and used over decades of being professional communicators.

This is the complete course you need to start preaching better sermons, including:

7 preaching myths it’s time to bust forever
The 5 keys to preaching sermons to unchurched people (that will keep them coming back)
How to discover the power in the text (and use it to drive your sermon)
The specific characteristics of sermons that reach people in today’s world
Why you need to ditch your sermon notes (and how to do it far more easily than you think.)
How to keep your heart and mind fresh over the long run

And far more! Plus you get an interactive workbook and some bonus resources that will help you write amazing messages week after week.

In the Art of Better Preaching, Mark and I share everything we’ve learned about communicating in a way that will help your church grow without compromising biblical integrity. We cover detailed training on everything from interacting with the biblical text to delivering a talk without using notes, to writing killer bottom lines that people will remember for years.

Don’t miss out! Check it out today and gain instant access.

Any False Competitors You See?

What false competitors do you see? And how are you battling indifference?

Scroll down and leave a comment?

The post The Growing Megachurch Isn’t Your Enemy. This Is. appeared first on CareyNieuwhof.com.

Source: The Growing Megachurch Isn’t Your Enemy. This Is.

The post The Growing Megachurch Isn’t Your Enemy. This Is. appeared first on Passion for Planting.

Episode 422: Principles of Collaboration

Sean Cronin — Sat, 21 Sep 2019 09:00:35 +0000

by NewChurches.com: In Episode 422 of the NewChurches Q&A Podcast, Daniel and Todd, along with Dennae Pierre, discuss reaching a city through collaboration.

In This Episode, You’ll Discover:

The boundaries you need to be willing to cross to collaborate
How to avoid competition in collaboration

Shareable Quotes (#NewChurches):

“If it really is a vision from God, it’s never just given to you.” – @dennaepierre
“God has called us to discipline in the small things.” – @dennaepierre
“Our natural networks are ethnically and socioeconomically segregated.” – @dennaepierre
“Know your background and find people who don’t have that and do the slow work necessary to build trust and collaborative vision.” – @dennaepierre
“When you meet someone in the same city that has the same vision as you, don’t be competitive.” – @danielsangi
“Understanding from a collaboration vs competition point, which spirit are you listening to?” – @toddadkins

Additional Resources:

Learn more about the Surge Network

Watch Collaboration and the Surge Network [Behind-The-Scenes]

Help us Multiply the Mission:

Please subscribe
Leave a rating and review on iTunes
Ask a question by clicking Send Voicemail on the right hand side of NewChurches.com
If you’re on a phone or a tablet, then go to www.speakpipe.com/newchurches to download the app and record your message
When you’re recording, introduce yourself and your context in about 15 seconds and then record your question for 30 seconds

This Episode’s Sponsor: You’ve probably heard about the movie OVERCOMER. But you may not know there are a few books and Bible studies inspired by the film. One is called Defined by Alex Kendrick and Stephen Kendrick, which is a book and Bible study based on insights from the Book of Ephesians. You can find these books and Bible studies at LifeWay.com/Overcomer.

The post Episode 422: Principles of Collaboration appeared first on NewChurches.com – Church Planting, Multisite, and Multiplication.

Source: Episode 422: Principles of Collaboration

The post Episode 422: Principles of Collaboration appeared first on Passion for Planting.