The Renewed Church

As the church emerges from the Fog of Covid, what exactly are we looking at? Barna Research recently released the state of your church webcast in which 5 crucial questions were asked about the state of the North American church.^[1]

What is the state of your church?

How thriving is it? Think of “thriving” as the organizational dynamics of the church. How well is that going?

How are people doing in your church? Are they flourishing or not?

How are you doing? What’s the state of your heart?

And, perhaps as crucial, how do you know? What means do you employ to measure what matters in ministry?

Perhaps for the very first time in modern church history, churches are being faced with the challenge to figure out their unique DNA as a church. This means that using someone’s model will no longer sustain my church for the longer arch of time. Simply because they succeeded does not equal, I will succeed post covid. Borrowing from Frederick Buechner’s Venn diagram for determining personal calling and vocation, today’s churches need to merge their great, driving passion (the Great Commission) with the world’s great need (finding deep satisfaction and rest for our souls). In this intersection, you’ll be able to see more clearly what your calling is as a church. When you’re clear on your calling as a church, you can start to define and refine the data you’ll look for as indicators that people’s lives are being transformed.^[2]

So, what is required for church leaders to renew their church in such complex and quite troubling days? Barna Research Group suggest 5 shifts in our thinking should occur to truly arrive at an accurate understanding of the state of each church. There are no cookie-cutter short cuts any longer. Each church must stand on their own merits. Consider these 5 shifts.^[3]

1. A renewed Church requires Christian leaders who honestly and objectively evaluate the impact they are making. The stakes are high. Jesus warned that it would be better to be weighted down at the bottom of the sea than to mislead people. Ministry models and impacts should be evaluated with this same intensity. Fir example research clearly shows that two in three young adults raised as Christians walk away from their faith as they move into adulthood. This massive dropout problem will require more careful consideration than simple platitudes.
2. A renewed Church needs leaders who are in tune with the flourishing of the people they are serving and discipling. The New Testament description of being a Shepherd places a high value on knowing people. The question becomes; How well do you know the people you are serving? What tools are being used to obtain this information.
3. A renewed Church requires contributors and participants in gospel mission, not just consumers of gospel content. This is perhaps the key shift that should occur for faith leaders. For example, research indicates that 96% of church leaders say they desire to have lay driven ministries in their church. Yet only 9% of church leaders say they have an effective strategy on how to develop people’s giftedness for ministry.
4. A renewed Church needs leaders who are self-aware about the condition of their hearts before the Lord. Scriptures contain numerous illustrations of God’s interest and care for our heart-health as one of the more compelling parts of our witness. Leaders have a greater responsibility to lead from a healthy-heart position than others. WHY? You have an opportunity to lead a host of other people for eternity’s sake.
5. A renewed Church demands that we rely more on the Lord’s power and presence than on our strategy or smarts. Our strategic efforts should be vessels they Holy Spirit can use to being people into the presence and power of a Holy God. The real question is, does our strategic models accomplish this?

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^[1] David Kinnaman. A Vision For A Renewed Church. The State of Your Church Report. copy-rite 2022.

^[2] Fredrick Buechner. Your Deep Gladness & The World’s Deep Hunger. http://www.calledthejourney.com/blog/2014/12/17/frederick-buechner-on-calling ACCESSED 14 March 2022.

^[3] The State of Your Church Report copy-rite 2022.