In my opinion, there are some things that have gone missing in churches today. In some churches, they have never been present. In others, they once existed but have slowly disappeared over the last number of years. Still, other important characteristics or ministries have somehow vanished after a new lead pastor arrived at the church. In other churches, the demographics of the church and/or the surrounding community have changed causing a loss. Many churches have lost their health and vitality and are now plateaued or declining in attendance and ministries. This has resulted in the loss of life-giving ministries, ministry leaders, and workers. Please allow me to list a few things that are missing in most churches today.
Not many churches today have a compelling and energizing vision that is contagious throughout the congregation. This vision goes beyond a program or ministry. It is much deeper and all-encompassing. This missing vision is the dream of what God wants the specific church to be and do. It is unique to your church and it is so exciting that most people in the congregation want to be part of the vision and experience the God-given results of that vision.
Many churches are missing a clearly defined disciple-making pathway that is also all-encompassing. This roadmap is used in every ministry of the congregation. It is simple and biblical, and every ministry staff and ministry leaders know it and apply it every day. Its end result is to make disciples who make more disciples. The disciple-making pathway is grounded in the Great Commission and Great Commandment found in the New Testament teachings of Jesus.
Have you seen many churches with a leadership development pathway that complements their disciple-making pathway? And could this missing element be the reason why most churches look long and hard for ministry leaders and church leaders? Unfortunately, most churches are like a baseball team of 5 players with no one sitting on the bench ready to play.
Let's be honest. Most churches today are lacking in grace. We preach it but do we freely and abundantly practice grace. God has designed the church to be full of active ambassadors of God's grace including forgiveness, reconciliation, and restoration. But these characteristics are largely missing.
Have you noticed over the last number of years that the belief in the imminent return of Jesus Christ our Lord has gone missing? Where is our motivation for evangelism and holy living? These are connected to the doctrine of the rapture of the Church in the Scriptures. The fervent belief in the premillennial return of Christ has been losing ground to a weak belief in amillennialism and a symbolic interpretation of end-time events. What has the Church lost as a result?
And where are the 20-somethings and 30-somethings in our churches today? It seems as if we are missing a whole generation or two to secularism and the apparent irrelevance of the church. And even if a few can be found roaming the halls of your church, where are they in church leadership or upfront during worship services?
This list is only a starter. So what else would you add? What or who is missing in your church? And what can you do about it?
(Photo by kazuend on Unsplash)