What is Church Growth?
Our evangelical churches have been thoroughly immersed in “Church Growth” ideas for the last forty or so years. We are told that we must be user friendly. Can you imagine someone wanting to “use” the church? We are told that we must entertain the people with spectacular singing programs and dynamic dramas. We are told that that we have to sustain a robust youth program that majors on “fun.” We are told the that young adults need a church softball league, while at the same time the church must also supply the vans, and workers, to help the “Antique Kids” keep the highways hot between home base and Branson, Mo.
For those who have read this far there is probably beginning to be a little irritation coming into your voice as you ask yourself…”What in the world is wrong with any of these things?” The answer, of course, is nothing, if they are done in the right place and for the right reasons. But the question is…”Is this what Jesus intended for His Church?” This goes to the very heart issues of what is a Church, and what is its purpose?
It is perfectly proper for a community organization to do the kinds of things I am talking about. It is perfectly proper, and even commendable for Christians to be involved in good clean activities that help keep young people out of trouble and older people enjoying their golden years, but is this why Jesus established His Church? I don’t think so.
Tags: church evangelism, internet evangelismRelated posts
The Facebook Fraternity – A World Toward Unity
What do a former professional wrestler, the Ku Klux Klan and Christian evangelism have in common? One person actually: Johnny Lee Clary. The former Imperial Wizard of the KKK saw the light when he was just minutes away from pulling the trigger on a gun to end his life–exactly as his father had done when Johnny was just 11 years old.
Clary has a story of conversion not quite as remarkable at the Apostle Paul, but it’s astonishing all the same. According to Clary, the world’s links regarding supremacist groups just keep getting bigger, deeper, more covert and sinister. They remain it seems.
And this is why we are perhaps entering an era where social networking websites and platforms like Facebook and Twitter are making life a little more transparent. Certainly our characters and personalities are put up just as surely as our photos and other information–racist attitudes are going to be out there for all and sundry to see, well, or at least those they allow in any event.
Tags: christian evangelism, internet evangelismRelated posts
Why Bother Communicating At All?
Why bother communicating with the outside world? What a busy few months it has been! I have travelled around the UK visiting church and faith groups, spending the best part of that time talking about how the internet can be used to shape their message to the community in which they serve.
One of the contributing factors to the decline of effective communication, whether in business or in society, is down to the fact that we are all busy people. This is, unfortunately, also one of the factors that prevent the development of quality-driven church websites. I spend a lot of my time helping and supporting clergy to find ways to produce an extension of their church ministry, through the use of the internet, but with a view to engage other people within the church to take on responsibility for its development and continued improvement.
Each church throughout the world is unique, based on the simple fact that it is made up of distinctly individual people, who bring a range of skill sets, experience and abilities to the life of the church. Ignoring and bypassing these individuals, who could contribute in such a worthwhile and positive way, is a mistake and encouraging church members to take a more active role in the forward momentum of the church’s ministry should always be encouraged.
One of the phrases I hear most often from clergy is: “I simply don’t have the time to sit at my desk and write new content for the website.” My response to this is simple: if you don’t have the time, seek out members of your church community who would be willing to help develop fresh content for the website!
Tags: church evangelism, internet evangelism