It is tough out there

Our leadership team is planning a strategic retreat in September, with the purpose of making improvements in our ministry and setting a course for the next 2 years. We have contacted a consultant and given him 5 years of data to help him analyze our situation. In my meeting with him this week, he made an interesting statement about the current state of the church in Florida. He said, "It is tough out there." Churches are struggling through out the state. I find it interesting that Florida is the 4th largest state in the union, and yet a majority of our churches are plateauing or are in decline. How is this possible? The long and short of it is we have failed to adapt to our changing culture. Many of our churches are operating out of a paradigm from the 1970's and wondering why we are failing in the 21st century. 

As Dylan said "The times they are a changing". The new economy, the prevailing worldview and the desire to protect the status quo is making it difficult for our churches to survive. I personally know 4 churches that have closed their doors this past summer. What is needed today is an "all hands on deck" approach to moving our churches forward. It is not enough for the minister and a few chosen people to do the work of ministry. Today it is vital that as many people as possible get on board, using their gifts to enhance the ministry of the church. The days of seat warmers are over, the churches that mobilize their members for ministry will be the churches that survive and the churches that keep the status quo - well, they will fossilize. 

I am looking forward to our strategic retreat, I believe we have a golden opportunity to make a diffidence in the Palm Bay community, but it will not just happen we must plan our work and then work our plan. It is tough out there; I hope you are ready for the challenge.