Denial in a Declining Church…
It was in 2013 that Thom Rainer stated that “decreasing frequency of church attendance is the number one reason for church decline.” Well, that trend did not change in 2014 and might well continue into 2015. Rainer say there are several reasons why people attend church less frequently. He names the first and foremost reason being a waning commitment – people attend church less when spiritual priorities are less important. But there are other reasons as well. Most pastors could easily identify with the following reasons: 1) Parents with children have more “multiple activity” commitments such as sports, music, special clubs, etc. The demand of time it takes to be involved in these activities is literally eating families alive; 2) There is greater mobility in general in our culture so people are more likely to be traveling and on-the-go on weekends; 3) It is so much easy now to stay connected to the church online so if the family struggles to get ready on time on Sunday morning then live streaming is a great way to worship at home. The impact of these trends is numerical decline but the meaning for the church is broader than that. It can mean a declining influence in the community, a decline in evangelistic impact, and a decline in the hearing and responding to the Gospel. According to Rainer nearly nine out of 10 churches are either declining, or they are growing less rapidly than the community around them. That is the current reality in our culture. What’s dangerous about these trends, says Rainer, is that many church leaders and members are in denial…”they refuse to see the diminishing influence of their churches for the good of the Kingdom.”
Unfortunately, denial can be deadly and have deadly consequences. Rainer says denial means the problems are not addressed. Denial means more and more churches will be closing their doors in 2015. He identifies 10 key dangers of denial:
“1. The problems will only worsen. We can’t wish away the challenges in our churches. We must be Biblically obedient. We must take action or the situation will worsen.
2. Future generations are forsaken. Churches in denial are not thinking about their children or grandchildren, or for that matter, any future generations. They are only concerned about their present perceived needs.
3. Leaders will have regrets. True leaders, both staff and laity, desire to make a difference in this world. They desire for their churches to make a difference. These leaders will regret their failures to admit that problems exist.
4. Churches will miss opportunities for solutions. It is amazing to see what the body of Christ can do when it works Biblically together. But the first step is admitting there is a need.
5. There is no urgency for change. The gospel and Biblical truths are unchanging. But the world is changing rapidly. Churches in denial have no urgency to change in this fast-changing culture. They quickly become irrelevant.
6. Maintenance ministries engender frustration and conflict. Churches in denial try very few things new and challenging. They tend to be focused on keeping things the same. Such a posture is frustrating. Because it refuses to look forward, such a posture causes members to fuss and fight over their particular preferences.
7. Churches in denial are usually disobedient. They can be disobedient to the Great Commission and the Great Commandment. They can refuse to obey some of the challenging commands of Scripture because it will get them out of their comfort zones.
8. Many of these churches will tolerate open and flagrant sin. Churches in denial tolerate mediocrity. The members don’t like to “rock the boat.” This attitude can lead to a tolerance of some of the most flagrant sins. I spoke with one church leader where many members knew that three of the Elders were involved in adulterous affairs. No one ever spoke up, and three families were torn apart.
9. The church will lose its best members. They will leave to go to a congregation where they can make a difference. They will refuse to accept the mediocrity that comes with denial of problems.
10. Comfort becomes an idol. Eventually churches in denial will become congregations of members who are focused on their comforts and needs. The denial will become entrenched, and hopes of biblical and healthy change will fade rapidly.”
What kind of assessment needs to be completed in the church where you serve in 2015? How do you and the leaders of your church respond to these 10 dangers? What do you think will be the trend for your church? In the Reformed Church in America? With God, all things are possible; there is always hope! Jesus said in Matthew 19:26: “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
— Wayne Van Regenmorter
January Schedule:
12-15: COSE/Interchange Partnership Meeting/Leadership Training Event/Phoenix, AZ
16: Travel Day
17: Off
18: Sunday Worship
19: Conference Call/Reformed Community Church, Venice FL
20: Synod Executive Team Go-To-Meeting
21: Chicago Classis Coordinating Committee/Tony Campbell/Calvary Reformed Church/Orland Park, IL
22: KEZ Meeting/Racine, WI
23: Office
24: Travel to Florida for Meetings
25: Worship/Rolling Hills Community Church/Zellwood, FL
26: Consistory Meeting/Reformed Community Church, Venice FL
27: Travel Day
28: Office
29: Camp Manitoqua Board Meeting/Frankfort, IL
30: Office
31: Off
Wayne’s contact information:
10088 Prairie Knoll Ct.
St. John, IN 46373
Mobile: (941) 302-1281
Email: wregen@rsmam.org