They Broke The Mould

As we continue to take a tour of the life of turn-around churches, we note that these turn-around churches need new pastors. That doesn’t mean necessarily a change of address but a change in attitude. I have met some individuals that say they have found their niche in life and that you take what you get. They give off the attitude that they have reached their climax and that there is no need to make any changes in their commitment to ministry. I could not disagree more with that attitude. We are all in need of improvement and that means especially those who shepherd God’s sheep. God is not looking for any CEO’s or prima donnas. He is looking for individuals who are like David, a man after God’s own heart.

Dr. Stetzer, in his book, Comeback Churches, says that 40 percent of these churches did not change pastors but the pastors changed to lead the churches from declining to growing. But this is going to be more challenging. He writes (p178) “It means changing yourself while you transform the congregation.” He goes on to write, “All pastors will have to ask themselves if they are willing to do whatever it takes to be used of God to be the kind of leaders needed to lead churches to be comeback churches.”

It is my conviction that we as shepherds/teachers of the Word of God should never settle for just getting by. God holds us accountable for the life of the congregation. I hear many say, “If they don’t like it then they can just leave.” And that is exactly what they do. Thus the decline in attendance. Pastor, you are held accountable for the entire congregation, not just the chosen few who are your “running buddies.”  When God assigned you to this congregation, He assigned you to minister to the entire congregation.

God has boldly said that it is not His will that a church die. God is not the one who is killing off the congregations. It must be laid at the feet of the leadership.