Anything that has life normally would grow. All the things necessary for life just need to be there and there would automatically be growth. When there is no growth or there is disproportionate growth then, there is a problem: probably a sickness or a disease. The life of God constantly flows into and through His church. the church, free from ‘sicknesses’ and ‘diseases’ normally should grow spiritually and numerically. Those diseases are the things we hope to diagnose here so that we can free the body to grow spiritually and numerically. There are several factors which repel people from our churches. We want to look at 10 most significant of them.
1. Insensitive / Bad Leadership: This is perhaps the most damaging to the welfare of a church in this age where Pastoring has been redefined as preaching, praying and counseling only (full stop). When church leaders are insensitive to the travails and needs of its members, it doesn’t go unnoticed. Leadership that do not visit and care for their sick, widows, widowers and orphans keep the back door swung open for Christ flocks to go away. The annoying thing (if I am allowed to use that word) about bad leadership is that it spoils the work and labours of the other committed workers and members who are passionate about the church. Such are the ones Jesus described as hirelings who do not care about the state of their flocks. You should however not forget that everyone who has one oversight or the other over the flock of Christ is part of leadership and if you in you corner don’t play your part, you are contributing to the problem.
2. Cold Sermons: It’s been found out that most youth and young adults stay away from church because of cold, boring, half – hearted talks and bad music. Go around and check churches where these happen and you won’t but notice only the old and grey headed plus some sulking young people (obviously forced or threatened to come) who are eagerly waiting for when they are older and independent, so they can escape the boredom. Organized churches where their preachers are handed outlines to preach for uniformity, seem to have these problem more; plus churches that seem to talk about one or two subject all year. O Preacher, hear this: If you have a homily and not a message from the Lord, it is noticed almost from the start. Even the unsaved notices when the sermon is anointed from the Lord.
3. Bad Music: Believe me, even a dedicated, Holy Ghost filled church member hates bad music. Those off key, never – well – prepared choristers of yours may be doing a good job at driving the new comers away (the dedicated members have resigned to their fate or may be making up for it another way). Church leadership should do all they can to encourage and train the choir while the latter should work hard to edify the church.
4. Non Integration: Any church that lack integration structures stand in great danger of losing members and are very unsuccessful in making visitors stay. When someone comes, there must be a cell, group, smaller family he should be immediately integrated to within the bigger family (church). This would ensure that he immediately begin to feel the sense of belonging. The church would also be able to reach him easily through that group.
5. Unfriendly Ushers and Church Officials. Putting unfriendly and socially dry people at your church door post, is like making barbed wire across the door and saying “endure the prick if you must get in”. The last time you were in the shopping mall and the attendant was unfriendly, can you remember what you said under your breadth? Bring the ushers together and train them on how to care and be friendly. Afterwards, watch out for those who just won’t change and please, for the sake of the flock, find something else for them to do. Some people just can’t be ushers. However, you must realize that all who come in contact with an invitee or a church member represents the church and should be taught to be friendly with everyone.
Watch out for next 5.
Oyebanji Speaks 