How a Dying Church Can Save Itself

The Christian Post ^ | Jan. 18 2007 | Lillian Kwon

[Alex Murphy]

The most successful congregations are those that do not seem to have much going for them, according to a renowned urban evangelist.

First Presbyterian Church of Pomona, Calif., had more than 2,000 members in 1939. With membership down to 80 people 50 years later, the church was on the verge of extinction, the Presbyterian News Service reported.

At that time, the once thriving church was only interested in preserving itself and returning to "the glory years," evangelist Robert Linthicum had said at a Presbyterian Church USA social justice conference in New Orleans recently.

"If the church is caught up in trying to preserve itself and its institution, then preservation and continuance is exactly what is going to slip out of its grasp," he said, according to the denomination's news service. "Trying to save the store is the surest way to lose the store."

Rather than trying to save itself, Linthicum said the church has to focus on its changed surroundings and serving the community.

"The church will not be saved by trying to preserve it but by giving its life away in service to the world. Such service and ministry to the world is the surest way to salvation."

First Presbyterian Church of Pomona, which was on its way to closing its doors permanently, launched "Pomona Hope" in 2003 with the help of six college students. Students from Claremont College chose the church as "the sorriest church they could find" to use as a learning laboratory, according to PNS.

These students redirected the church focus out of itself and to the community with the launch of Pomona Hope. The new approach, focused on community education and community economic development, drew the collaboration of other churches in local presbyteries as well as the Synod of Southern California and Hawaii.

Just a little over a year ago, PNS reported, the Pomona church sanctuary was filled with attendants as it formally established Pomona Hope.

"We consistently found that the most successful congregations were those who didn’t seem to have much going for them - located in the worst slums and squatters settlements, occupying abandoned factories or other buildings rather than fancy church buildings,” said Linthicum. “They had nothing to lose and everything to give and their Christian love and ministry showed it.”

The urban evangelist listed three common factors that successful evangelistic congregations have. They are: a church focused on a single, primary mission which was affirmed by most of the congregation, not just the pastor; a mission that is outside itself and focused on reaching out; and a church that sees its essential task as empowering and equipping its people to carry out the church's mission together.

Pomona is the poorest small city in the United States, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Today, Pomona Hope continues to serve the people in the city, carrying out its mission to bring hope, peace and well-being to the city.

[Alex Murphy]

The urban evangelist listed three common factors that successful evangelistic congregations have. They are: a church focused on a single, primary mission which was affirmed by most of the congregation, not just the pastor; a mission that is outside itself and focused on reaching out; and a church that sees its essential task as empowering and equipping its people to carry out the church's mission together.

[Salvation]

**They are: a church focused on a single, primary mission which was affirmed by most of the congregation, not just the pastor; a mission that is outside itself and focused on reaching out; and a church that sees its essential task as empowering and equipping its people to carry out the church's mission together.**

So what is your church's Mission Statement?

[irishtenor]

Where's God?

[Salvation]

 

 

MISSION STATEMENT

ST. EDWARD

CATHOLIC CHURCH

 

Empowered by the Holy Spirit and nourished by Word and Sacrament, WE:

·       Proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ,

·       Build a prayerful community of believers where all are welcome,

·       Become witnesses of God’s saving love through our outreach to others.

 

 

[Cogadh na Sith]

How about less angry outspoken lesbian and gay ministers?

[ikka]

This is the first time I have read an interview with an "evangelist" where Jesus was not mentioned.

[Alex Murphy]

So what is your church's Mission Statement?

Here's mine:

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

Matthew 28:18-20

[Nathan Zachary]

"**They are: a church focused on a single, primary mission which was affirmed by most of the congregation, not just the pastor; a mission that is outside itself and focused on reaching out; and a church that sees its essential task as empowering and equipping its people to carry out the church's mission together.**

So, the church is focused on a single primary mission of self preservation- to promote itself? Too bad. It should be focused on spreading the Gospel of Christ to as many as possible.

[Nathan Zachary]

"How about less angry outspoken lesbian and gay ministers?"

I don't think it is possible to be an unrepentant sinner and still be a minister, or be ordained as one.

[jkl1122]

I agree that Matthew 28:18-20 is a very important passage of Scripture.

The central command here is to "make disciples of all the nations". There are 3 participles that modify, or explain, the phrase "make disciples". They are "Go", "baptizing", and "teaching". Of the 3, "baptizing" and "teaching" are in the active voice.

In order to "make disciples", one must be "baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" and be "teaching them to observe all things" that have been commanded by Christ. One is not a disciple until they have been taught and baptized.

[Salvation]

**It should be focused on spreading the Gospel of Christ to as many as possible.**

Absolutely!

[visually_augmented]

This article made me stop and consider how many people view their church. So many think of church as a destination itself - a place to worship and learn scripture and fellowship. But so many forget how this knowledge/experience should prepare them for "kingdom building".

I think an interesting analogy would be a student attending a university. Almost all students seek out a college because it will prepare them for a career or some other pursuit. Rarely - although there are exceptions - does the student take classes merely to revel in his newfound knowledge. If the student doesn't eventually put this education to practice, the knowledge seems somewhat impotent.

Though this analogy should not be carried to an extreme (i.e. we rarely graduate from church or worship), we need to keep focus upon what a true acceptance of the gospel should mean in our day to day living.

Do we look at bible study and church going as an end result or a preparation for taking our new-found understanding to the streets...

[arthurus]

So the church is now highly successful, but as what?

[zerosix]

"We're now a community based Social Service Agency, not a church devoted to the 'Great Commission', the Bible, nor the truth of Christ."

[LiteKeeper]

read later

[kaehurowing]

So what is your church's Mission Statement?


"Our Mission:
to expose, equip and engage people toward a fully committed life in Jesus Christ"

[Salvation]

I don't quite understand your description. Not a church??

Hmmmm.

[Salvation]

Are you talking about the article. Maybe I misread your comment.

[Terriergal]

Boy what a bait and switch. Here I thought he was going to commend the 'church at Smyrna' and instead he's commending the Laodiceans!

[Terriergal]

Where's God?

I think they stuffed him in the nursery toybox with all their other stuffed toys.