Transforming Church

What is the offer? In my structural consulting, this is the first question of the strategy process. When I ask this question in doing our Creating What Matters workshop with churches, I usually get blank stares. Then, with prompting, people talk about a "friendly" place, then move on to worship service and the programs currently in place at the church. The response to this question is quite telling. It is clear that rarely has someone really examined what the church is offering, and why someone might be motivated to join.

This question is so fundamental. In the scriptures, we read about the offer of the early church: lives transformed by an encounter with the living God; a calling from God rooted in our gifts to live out one's purpose; the power of the Holy Spirit to endure any hardship; the deep care of a loving community surrounding those who are suffering; an esteemed place for women; a deep commitment despite the potential of torture, prison or death. Compared to the first century church, the offer today is so far removed from this compelling picture that it becomes obvious why churches struggle to grow the fellowship.

How long has it been since your Church Council examined this question? How compelling is the offer described in your Mission and Vision? How deeply embedded are the spiritual practices (the Marks of Discipleship) that lead to transformed lives? Are we modeling a life focused on living out God's plan through our Spiritual Gifts? Is the Holy Spirit flowing mightily in your midst, healing people and changing lives?

If you find your church on a plateau or in decline, you can begin a process to renew health by setting aside several hours and asking your leadership to examine this one question.

As Bill Easum says, there is one question that the unchurched want answered: "What is it about your relationship with Jesus Christ that I can't live without?" When you can give a positive answer to that question, you are getting to the heart of the offer. If you struggle to answer that question in a compelling manner, I invite you to wade deeper into the spirit. Choose discipleship; practice the Marks of Discipleship; discern your spiritual gifts and meditate on God's plan for your life, rooted in those gifts. As we surrender ourselves to Jesus as Lord, we will see God's work in our lives, and develop a compelling answer to that question.