Typically, when a local church finds itself lacking the means to provide basic components for ministry, the doors soon close. Without the basics, the local church is no longer viable and major denominations are letting these churches shut down. Therefore, it is understandable for pastors and church leaders to be more than just a little concerned when they find themselves unable to sow seeds of revitalization.
Pastors start filling roles with anyone breathing and willing. This is never the answer, and can very easily hasten the dreaded end. Fear and desperation must be replaced by faith and dependence. Could God be doing a new and greater work than our small faith could imagine? Would God allow us to go without only to open a door of ministry that could change not only the local church but the entire community of believers in our ministry context? I have experienced a divine yes to this question. Let me tell you the story of my lack.
I began pastoring my current congregation nine years ago. The previous 14 years had seen a steady decline, and the church was to be closed. The denominational leader in the area asked if I would become their pastor and give it one more try. I and the remaining few attendees believed God was up to something, so together, we began a revitalization effort. Slow incremental growth was the result of our efforts and the blessing of God. All the basics components took shape except one. The one that I was sure would be the easiest. We simply could not get a youth ministry established.
I thought this would be the easiest aspect of the revitalization effort. After all, I was a high school teacher and varsity baseball coach. I knew and loved teenagers. I was part of their world. I thought certainly this would be like my previous church where a youth ministry was established easily with only two students. It grew fast and rarely dipped in attendance and effectiveness. Why would I not have the same experience at the new church?
Nothing we did worked, even though our church facility has a gym with regulation basketball and volleyball courts. For eight years, I simply could not provide this basic component of church ministry. No matter what I did, every attempt ended without any signs that a youth ministry would get off the ground. I was at a complete loss.
I got to the point where I was happy that the handful of teens that were part of our church began attending youth groups at other churches, because I did not want them to be without this positive aspect of their spiritual development. I continued my personal relationship with them the best I could. Some left and became part of other congregations, but some established relationships with adults in the church. I could not imagine this to be the plan for the future of our church, but at least these teens had their needs met at the time.
In some ways, I began to accept this was our reality and prayed that God would at some point provide a youth ministry leader that could do what I was unable to accomplish. At that same time, the superintendent of the local public school district attended our community ministerial meeting. She poured out her heart, asking if we were willing to help. Of course, we were. She began to call us to join her on various campuses to pray for faculty, staff and the student body. We then met at various school district offices and prayed with department leaders. In addition to praying on campuses, we have also held two worship and prayer gatherings at the district office where each principal was linked to a pastor for prayer and encouragement. God was moving, but I still thought, My congregation does not even have a youth ministry.
After one of those prayer meetings, I received a call from a participating pastor whom I did not previously know. He asked to meet (and I never say no to coffee), so the next day we sat down for a cup. I asked him why he wanted to meet, and he said that he was not sure, but God led him to call me. We just sat there sipping our coffees, wondering what God was up to.
Like typical pastors, we shared our ministry journeys and the churches we served. I told him about my lack of success in establishing a youth ministry, and he shared about a time when local churches would do youth ministry together. He actually had a vision to restart that type of ministry and I had the facility to host it. So, we decided to give it a try. We launched with three churches, but that’s when things became really interesting.
We began seeking God for a revelation of his purpose. Our seeking included meeting with approximately 20 other churches, four parachurch ministries, and various public school employees. Through these meetings, God has now birthed a new 501(c)(3) with a vision to unify local churches for the purpose of reaching into the public school system with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Let that sink in for a minute—churches of various theological perspectives unified and reaching into the public school system. Only God could do that.
For eight years, I thought I was failing to provide one of the most basic components of the local church. What I am beginning to understand is that God is not limited by our lack. Why would he use a church that had failed in youth ministry to partner with others to birth a movement into the local public schools? Because that is the way he works. He takes what we lack and transforms it into something only he can build.
What does your church lack? How long have you felt like a failure with the fear of your church closing? Don’t give up. Keep using whatever you have while you focus on listening and following God’s lead. If you don’t know what to do next, just go where you are invited. God is going to link you to someone with a need. Let them in and listen to their heart. When you do, you just might hear God’s.
