Once a
year we take a pulse of our congregational life. In order to remain relevant and balanced we
take surveys of church members to determine our present situation. 23 out of 30 surveys were returned by participants. After processing and analysis at Andrews
University the results are in. Last
Board meeting elder Cameron Munro asked a question for self-assessment: are we
declining, plateau, or growing? Board
members shuffled, not answering immediately.
I’d take a liberty to say we have been in decline for a while. Even if the natural growth (our children and
the family members) would remain then our membership would be doubled since mid
80s. We have lost people to false
teachings, to complacency, to hurts, to misunderstandings. Yet, it is God’s Church and God is interested
in offering a revival to all His children.
But
first prerequisite of revival is an honest look in the mirror, not staying in
denial, as a Laodicean church would do (Revelation 3: 14-20) but responding by
getting the treatment needed.
Here’s
our current situation:
The
most drastic drop is in spirituality decline.
A number of new families have been added to our fellowship, but the
momentum has not been carried. 3 years
ago it was our highest factor. It is seen by the lack of interest in Prayer
meetings, and revival efforts. Lack of
Evangelistic interest is also obvious.
Disbelief in the necessity of Evangelism is the same as declaring
disobedience to Jesus’ great Commission.
A church that does not evangelism cannot be construed as a
Christian. Another major concern is
leadership fit. A special focus will be
offered on empowering leaders, so they in turn can empower people for
service. This year we would have to
utilize our structures, our organizational unity to improve leadership,
spirituality, and begin evangelistic efforts.
Pray
for your leaders as they would review reports in details and develop a strategy
for growth.
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