Why Does It Take So Long?

You would never try to microwave a brisket! Smoking a perfect brisket takes time and patience. In church revitalization, the work is slow and takes time; you cannot microwave it! While we want to see churches turn around quickly, the work often takes several years (think more than 5).

Why does it take so long for churches to experience revitalization?

Here are some thoughts; what do you think?

1. The decline of the church did not happen quickly, and change will not happen quickly.
A speedboat and an aircraft carrier do not turn at the same speed. One turns quickly, and the other takes time. Churches do not decline quickly; it is often a slow decline over years. Bringing about change and seeing growth do not happen overnight; they take time.

2. Churches have complicated issues to work through. Churches have several programs, multiple leaders, often pulling in different directions. Just getting everyone on the same page can take a long time.

3. There is an unwillingness to move forward. Churches in decline often look to the past to recreate what once worked. Instead of looking back and testifying about what God once did to motivate toward a vision of the future, they want to recreate what once worked. Think about it this way: it is really hard to drive a car if you are only looking in the rearview mirror.

4. The pastor is not the right person for the church. Often, churches are in decline not because the membership does not want to see change and growth, but because the pastor is not the right man to bring about such change. Having a pastor who lacks vision, cannot lead change, and is unwilling to commit to revitalization can cause a church to remain stuck. This does NOT mean this pastor does not love Jesus; it means he might be the one to lead a particular church through a season of revitalization.

5. Revitalization often requires healing wounds, and that’s not easy. Churches in decline sometimes have painful histories, with stories of divisive people and church splits. These wounds take time to heal. Building trust among leadership and membership takes time, and is hard, slow work.

What other factors would you add to explain why revitalization takes a long time in churches?

Send me an email at lee@buildgroups.net to talk more!