Over the past five and a half years, I’ve had conversations with over 2000 church leaders, denominational leaders, networks and more. I love numbers and honestly, I see much of the world through a data-filled Excel spreadsheet. Regardless of denomination, size, or location I find these common themes:
For every 100 churches...
20% are healthy. The church may be growing and/or have a strong leader where there is optimism for continued growth and multiplication. While all churches have things they need to work on, this group has stronger ingredients in place for the next season.
40% are in the mired middle. They could go one way or another. Through the research of The Unstuck Group, we know that the majority of churches that we’ve worked with fall into the “maintenance” phase. This phase marks the beginning of a downward trend.
Nationally over 75% of churches on the wrong side of the life cycle.
After working two days onsite with scores of these churches, I am left with a telling impression. It indicates whether they will pivot as a church into a new life, or, will continue running the same plays into the end of their life cycle.
40% are dying. It’s sad, but true. There are various reasons for this. In many cases, they are “heels dug in” and we won’t hear from them. Many don’t know their church is dying and the ones that do aren’t willing to do anything about it. I could say more but that doesn’t help us.
So what can help? As a leader over these 100 churches, what is one to do?
One denominational leader told me, “Mark, I’ve been chasing fires and drama for seven years (in the bottom 40%) and I’ve decided to change my plan, I’m going to invest in health.” What a monumental move. While that district leader has since retired, it’s been amazing to see the fruit from that decision. He handpicked 8 churches (out of 55) that we developed a peer group with. As a group, we worked to develop vision, plans and best practices. That same district has continued to work through their churches using a planning process. They are finding clear goals, identifying what healthy churches look like and building new habits.
How could we approach each group?
INVEST in the Healthier 20%. These are the churches most likely to produce new leaders, new locations, church plants and growth in their church. Develop strategies with this group to partner, vision and dream what God may do. Allocate at least 50% (or more) of your resources to these churches. You will see the greatest return on ministry from this effort.
INFORM the Middle 40%. Make sure this group knows best practices and has access to great content. In many cases, these are “moving cars”. They are active, they want to get traction, they simply don’t know what they don’t know. They need to be pointed in the right direction to greater health and growth. The leaders have humility and are lifetime learners. There are ingredients there but they need help with some of the basics. Invest in those willing to take a step and continue to inform and educate those who are muddling along. Often, they need encouragement and know that you are for them. Allocate 20-40% of your resources to this group.
INVITE the dying 40%. They are parked cars. It’s hard to do much with them. In some cases, the leader is the lid and simply won’t change. In other cases, a few lay leaders are holding the church hostage and it’s dysfunctional. Invite them into the game and for a select few, a leader could emerge that has the courage to make a bold move and do the remarkable… pivot a dying church. I have hope for all churches- maybe to a fault. However, a bold leader is needed to be obedient to the call to bring a church back to its mission- reaching people for Jesus. Allocate 10% or less to this group.
Your breakdown can shift by 10-15% for each of these categories. Sadly, one group of Midwest churches I worked with hard a hard time finding 8 churches out of 105 that fit any of the criteria of health. In many denominations, this is the sad reality we are working with.
What’s your story? How are you getting traction in your region?