Don’t Wait On Everybody
June 2nd, 2009 · Posted in Books · 2 CommentsI am continuing to read Renew Your Congregation: Healing The Sick, Raising The Dead by William McConnell. One point he makes is that transformation will never happen if you think you can wait until “everybody is on board”.
Here’s what he writes:
“If you plan to have everyone in the church get excited get excited about the idea of the church being revitalized and transformed, but you don’t plan to really do anything until everyone gets on board with the plan, forget it. Transformation will never happen in your church. Several people in every church ‘really want the church to grow.’ They just want to make sure that nothing, absolutely noting, in or out of the church, changes.”
Not everybody wants to church to grow — but God wants the church to reach others. I believe the secret is to pray for God to let you know what to do — cast the vision for change — and fo with what you have.
That is, though, easier said than done.
What do some of you think?
June 2nd, 2009 at 3:48 pm
I think Hopewell is a fine example of how a church can endure by shrinking and growing. The thing that drew me back (besides the history factor, haha) was the wide variety of personalities, ages, incomes, and professions within the congregation. Unlike some churches where you feel like an equal inside the sanctuary but everything is “back to normal” outside, the folks you see on Sunday are the same ones at the store on Monday!
Now back to your topic, haha. Of course everybody wants life to always be moving in a positive direction but there are cycles. I think as long as the church is strong enough to weather the slow times together, it just makes the good times even better. I’m just glad to be a part of Hopewell now when there is so much energy to be a part of! Keep up the good work with exciting our spirit through technology like this!
June 2nd, 2009 at 7:52 pm
Thanks Gretchen! Your participation in the Church is exciting — and your comments on my blog encouraging!