The church you serve in may not be the one you dreamt about while attending Bible college or seminary; however, the church you have is the one that God has called you to. As such, you must focus not on what is missing but instead on what matters: the person in front of you and the community that needs your church.
Leading a church from decline back into a season of spiritual growth is not easy. But in my experience, these three ways to serve in the light of Christ can be great first steps.
1. Share Your Faith.
The easiest way to get new people to come to the church is not waiting but asking. As Eddie Fox and George Morris write in Faith-Sharing, “Survey after survey and study after study report that when new members are asked why they chose their church, they respond by pointing to the influence of persons in their social network; i.e., persons within their friendship, kinship, neighborhood or colleagueship network. This is irrevocable proof that effective outreach is built on relationships.”
Sharing your faith is more about stepping out of your comfort zone and being guided by the Holy Spirit than a stranger walking into a service for the first time and saying they want to become a member. Faith sharing is about telling your story to a friend or colleague and enabling them to ask questions or even observe you in their daily interactions with you. Trust me, you can not fake a relationship with God long-term, but when you live out your Christian experience others will take notice.
Do not be shy about living out your faith—be bold. I am not saying you should quote Scripture each time you interact with someone, but do live out your life in a way that honors your calling from God. Imagine if everyone would take the time to live more like Christ in the community; the community would begin to see a noticeable difference. Faith-sharing is living like Christ, not just on Sundays but each day of the week, and doing it with intentionality that seeks to endear relationships with a deeper meaning of faith.
2. Share the Good Things That Are Happening.
There is a tendency in culture today to speak about all the negative things happening worldwide. Sure, the world is in a tough place, but when you look back on the arc of history, you realize that you are living in the best time to do ministry. What the North American church faces today is nothing compared to what the early disciples faced, or even other parts of the world today; instead of seeing the negative, why not begin to experience and share the good things happening around you and in the local church?
As I ascend into the pulpit each Sunday, I am excited to preach and teach God’s Word. It’s as much for my people as it is for me. Allow your experiences not to get you jaded but focused more on Jesus. Jesus is the answer to the troubles of today. Inside the bible is scripture after scripture that speaks to the church today—no need to fear the world; stand firm in your faith.
Inside the church today, there are good things worth talking about. There is a tendency not to brag about the church, but I encourage you to share the story of God’s redemption in a family’s life. Renewal in the children’s program and connections made that are moving people from the pew into the streets to serve others. The story of Jesus is not just for Sunday mornings but for daily living. Go and live like God by sharing the story of his goodness with others.
3. Seek Relational Partnerships Beyond Your Generation.
Looking out at the congregation, who do you see? For many, it is an older population that has lived many years. They could help encourage their pastor, lay leaders, and young families, yet they do not know if they would be welcomed to speak into someone else’s life. There is a tendency to see an aging population as the death of the church. But instead see them as a resource to harness to teach you about the longevity of faith, understanding in times of disappointment, and a life fully surrendered to God.
God has entrusted into your church’s care those that sit in the pews. Welcome the opportunity to invest in relationships that will teach, encourage, and strengthen your faith. Some of my best relationships are those who could be my parents or grandparents, yet they provide me with meaningful relationships that make me better. Let me challenge you to consider who you could connect with, who can be encouraged by your friendship, and where you can grow deeper in Christ.
What a privilege it is to serve like Jesus in the local church. Step out of the darkness of negativity and into the light of Christ to share your faith, share the good news, and seek relational partners in and out of the church as you venture into the light of Christ.
Desmond Barrett is an author and lead pastor at Summit Church of the Nazarene in Ashland, Kentucky.