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Category: Catalyst (Page 1 of 26)

A catalyst is one that sparks something. The catalyst speaks from experience and enables others to move forward more freely. These articles are written to act as a catalyst in your life.

Leaders Multiply

October 29, 2024 / / 0 Comments

If you’re not mentoring others, you’re missing the point of leadership. The best leaders aren’t the ones who do everything themselves—they’re the ones who build up others to lead effectively and carry the mission forward. And if you’re not willing to do that, you’re not a leader—you’re a bottleneck.

This isn’t an issue in the world; it’s an issue in the church too. The church doesn’t need a single superstar. We need a team of leaders empowered to make disciples, serve passionately, and spread the Gospel. Jesus didn’t come to make an all-star solo career. He came to multiply. He poured into His disciples, investing deeply, and sent them out with authority to do even greater things. That’s real leadership. If He could trust people to continue His mission, we have no excuse not to do the same.

Mentorship Isn’t Optional—It’s Essential

Too many pastors and ministry leaders are burning out because they refuse to share the load. They micromanage, hold onto tasks with a white-knuckle grip, and avoid handing over real authority. This isn’t servant leadership; it’s ego, pure and simple. Here’s the hard truth: if you’re not mentoring, you’re not multiplying. And if you’re not multiplying, you’re failing in your role as a leader.

You’re not called to carry the whole load by yourself. You’re called to build others up. And let’s be honest—if your ministry collapses the moment you step back, you didn’t build a ministry. You built a one-man show. The church deserves better than that, and so does the Kingdom.

Mentorship means giving up some control, and for some of us, that’s terrifying. We’re afraid someone else won’t do it “our way.” Spoiler alert: they probably won’t, and that’s okay! The goal is to equip others to lead in their own unique ways, with their own God-given gifts. God doesn’t call clones; He calls disciples, each with a different role and each with a unique approach.

Mentoring means letting people lead, even if they might stumble. Growth often comes through failure, and it’s better for future leaders to make small mistakes now, with guidance, than to have the entire weight of leadership fall on them unprepared.

Real Leaders Make Room for Others

Some leaders seem terrified that empowering others will make them “replaceable.” Well, here’s a wake-up call: you should be replaceable! The church isn’t built on any single person’s charisma or skillset. It’s built on Jesus, and He made room for others, showing that real leadership is about serving others and preparing them to serve, not building up our own reputations.

Jesus invested in 3 of His disciples. Then mentored the 12. But eventually he sent out the 72 and even more as we look through the book of Acts. He didn’t keep the role of leading the church through the New Testament to Himself, so why are we? Why are we making it so hard for people to use their gifts for God’s glory? Why are we clinging to our traditions and our way of doing things, when it’s obviously not reaching the people in our own backyards let alone in our modern Samaria and end of the earth scenarios!

Mentorship allows you to multiply your impact, making your ministry stronger, more resilient, and able to reach far beyond what you could ever do alone. The legacy of a true leader isn’t found in what they achieved on their own; it’s in the lives they impacted and the leaders they raised up.

Building up others takes time, energy, and intentionality. It’s about conversations, encouragement, correction, and shared experiences. And here’s the kicker: if you’re too busy to mentor, then you’re doing ministry wrong. Jesus made time for His disciples. He taught them, walked with them, and sent them out to lead. We need to do the same.

Don’t be a leader who hoards influence. Be a leader who multiplies. Start mentoring others, not because it’s nice to do but because it’s essential for the growth of God’s Kingdom. A ministry that invests in people instead of projects? That’s a ministry that will stand the test of time.

Passing the Baton

October 28, 2024 / / 0 Comments

One of the most critical responsibilities of a leader is preparing for the day when he or she is no longer in charge. But all too often in the church world we avoid this like the plague. Maybe it’s pride? Maybe it’s fear of being replaced, or perhaps it’s a lack of trust in others. Whatever the reason, leaders who don’t plan for succession set their ministry up for failure.

It’s really no secret, no one stays in leadership forever. Whether it’s due to retirement, illness, burnout, or simply moving on, a leadership transition is inevitable. Yet, too many leaders behave as if they’ll be in the driver’s seat forever. This mentality is not only unwise, it’s selfish. Refusing to prepare for the next leader is a surefire way to see the ministry crumble when you’re no longer around.

Jesus even modeled succession. He spent years pouring into His disciples, teaching them, empowering them, and preparing them to carry on the mission once He was gone. He didn’t just hope they would figure it out on their own. He invested in them so the ministry could thrive. He gave them authority and then released them to lead.

The harsh truth: If you’re not preparing your successor, you’re building your ministry on your own ego, not the Gospel. And that’s a recipe for disaster.

Succession Is About the Future, Not Your Legacy

Many leaders get so caught up in their own legacy that they forget leadership isn’t about them—it’s about the mission. If your leadership crumbles the moment you’re gone, you weren’t building His Kingdom. You were building a monument to yourself. Succession is about ensuring the ministry continues to grow and thrive long after you’re no longer in the picture.

The church’s mission doesn’t end when you do. It’s much bigger than any one person, and we should be leading in a way that reflects that truth.

Succession planning isn’t just about finding the next person to fill your seat. It’s about building up leaders who can take the ministry further than you ever could. Your job as a leader is to invest in people, not just in programs or systems. When you pour into others, you’re ensuring the next generation of leaders is stronger and more prepared than you were.

This requires intentionality. It means mentoring younger leaders, giving them real responsibility, and letting them make mistakes. Too often, leaders hesitate to share authority because they’re afraid the next generation will mess things up or won’t do it the way we prefer it to be done. Newsflash: they will do it differently and they will mess things up. And that’s okay. Growth happens through failure. Your job is to guide them through it, not protect them from it.

Many leaders wait until they’re burned out or ready to retire before thinking about succession. By then, it’s too late to effectively pass the baton. A sudden leadership vacuum can lead to disarray, division, and even collapse.

Start early. Start now. Begin investing in future leaders long before you’re ready to leave. Succession planning should be part of your ongoing leadership strategy, not an afterthought.

In the end, leadership is about stewardship. You’re holding a position temporarily. Your job is to steward it well and then pass it on to someone else who can run with it. If you’re not preparing for that, you’re missing the mark. Let go of your pride, and start raising up the next generation of leaders today.

The Overflow Life

October 15, 2024 / / 0 Comments

When you look around, what do you see? A world that’s empty and bleak? Or a world bursting with possibility? I’m reminded of this question every spring when I plant my garden. A couple envelops of seeds sure don’t look like much. But in a few months those seeds become full grown plants that produce far more fruit and vegetables than I could imagine.

In the Genesis account, God didn’t just create for the sake of filling empty space. He made a world designed to be overflowing with life. Creation itself is a testimony to the abundance mindset that God has built into the very fabric of existence.

Every created thing has within it the power to bring forth something new. Fruit contains seeds, allowing them to reproduce and grow more fruit. Animals and humans, have the ability to reproduce and fill the earth. God didn’t design creation to be a one-and-done deal. He built it with the potential for multiplication, for abundance, for more. He planted a cycle of increase right into nature itself.

But here’s the secret we seem to have forgotten: this abundance mindset wasn’t just for creation—it’s meant for us too. Yet, many of us live with a scarcity mindset. We focus on what we lack instead of what we have. We look at the challenges, the struggles, and the limitations, and we convince ourselves that there just isn’t enough. Not enough time, not enough resources, not enough opportunities, not enough love, not enough grace. But when did God ever say there wouldn’t be enough?

Creation isn’t the only thing He filled with potential. He also filled you with potential. You have been made in His image, crafted by the Creator who designed this entire system of overflow. But so many times, we find ourselves operating out of fear, out of worry, out of this scarcity mindset that tells us we’ll never have enough. And it’s killing us.

The Bible is filled with reminders of God’s abundance. Look at how Jesus fed thousands with just a five loaves and two fish, and he even had leftovers. He turned water into wine, and I don’t mean a cup of it but gallons upon gallons! And when He said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full,” He wasn’t talking about a mediocre, halfway kind of life. He was talking about an abundance of love, grace, and purpose.

A Mindset Shift

Now, don’t get me wrong: abundance doesn’t mean we’re all going to be swimming in cash or never facing tough times. This isn’t some backhanded way of talking about some form of prosperity gospel. It means that we stop letting fear and lack of anything dictate our lives. We stop saying, “I can’t,” and start asking, “What has God called me to do?”

The Apostle Paul talks about being content whether in plenty or in want (Philippians 4:12-13). Contentment isn’t settling for less. It’s the confidence that whether you have little or much, God’s got you. And let’s face it—God’s version of “little” is often more than we think.

But the problem is, so many of us don’t realize what we’ve been given. We see our lives as empty baskets instead of containers brimming with seeds. But remember, seeds don’t just grow on their own; they need planting. They need water, sunlight, and care. It’s time to plant seeds of abundance in our lives, our churches, and our communities.

Abundance is a Lifestyle

When we start to live with an abundance mindset, we begin to see opportunities where others see obstacles. We start seeing potential where others see problems. We become people who give freely, who love deeply, and who live fully.

Our churches need this mindset too. Are we going to be a church that hoards what we have, fearing it will run out? Or are we going to believe in the overflow? We have to step out in faith, believing that the same God who created this world of abundance can provide what we need to grow, to reach, and to impact more lives.

An abundance mindset isn’t just a nice idea; it’s a choice. It’s a choice to believe that God has given you enough to be a blessing, to make a difference, and to step out boldly. It’s a choice to look at your life, your church, your community, and see not what is lacking, but what is possible.

So, how are you going to live? Are you going to be someone who sits back, afraid of running out? Or are you going to be someone who steps out, believing that the God who made fruit with seeds, animals with the ability to reproduce, and humans with the power to create has also given you everything you need to live abundantly?

Let’s stop thinking small. Let’s step into the overflow. Because when you live with an abundance mindset, you’re not just living for yourself. You’re becoming a part of God’s plan to keep creation multiplying, thriving, and changing the world.

Messed Up Discipleship

October 3, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Personal opinion: the church has screwed up discipleship. And I don’t mean a little bit either. For years, probably even decades, we’ve treated discipleship and evangelism like two separate programs, as if you can have one without the other. Guess what: you can’t. True discipleship requires evangelism. It’s not a side dish on an a la carte menu . It is the mission. If the people in our churches aren’t actively reaching out, telling others about Jesus, and living out the Gospel in the world, then they’re not being discipled. It’s really that simple.

Too Safe

Somewhere along the way, we started making discipleship “safe.” We turned it into a series of cozy small groups, where people sip coffee and swap prayer requests. But is that really discipleship? Is that what Jesus had in mind when He said, “Go and make disciples of all nations”? Did He mean, “Sit around in your comfort zone and get spiritually fat while the world burns around you”?

No! Discipleship is a call to action. It’s gritty, raw, and uncomfortable. It’s not about self-help or spiritual navel-gazing. It’s about reproducing the life of Jesus in others. Disciples make disciples. And if we’re not doing that, we’re not being discipled; we’re being coddled.

What’s the Point?

The modern church has drawn a neat little line between discipleship and evangelism, like they’re two different ministry areas. We’ve got discipleship classes here, evangelism training over there. But that’s insane. You can’t be a disciple without evangelism because evangelism is at the core of discipleship.

Perhaps I need to say it again. If you’re not engaging in evangelism, you’re not being discipled. Jesus didn’t just call people to follow Him so they could hang out and get spiritually fed. He called them to go out and make more disciples. Discipleship isn’t a destination; it’s a multiplication process.

If your version of discipleship doesn’t include evangelism, then it’s counterfeit at best! It’s fake. It’s a watered-down, self-centered version of what Jesus actually commanded. We’re not called to hoard spiritual knowledge or just “grow deeper” while ignoring those who don’t yet know Jesus. Discipleship is evangelism in action.

Many Christians are far too content sitting within the walls of their own church buildings, worrying more about the temperature of the sanctuary than the struggles of the culture outside. We host our Bible studies, plan our potlucks, and give lip service to missions, but we avoid anything that might actually challenge us to reach out to people who don’t look, think, or act like us. We’re so busy protecting and preserving our history that we’re ignoring the people around us.

Here’s the thing: if your version of Christianity isn’t compelling enough to share, do you even believe in it? If the Gospel isn’t radical enough to drive you out of your bubble and into the world, then maybe you haven’t grasped the full weight of it.

Jesus didn’t die so we could get comfortable in pews and fill our heads with more information. He died to send us on a mission. That mission? To make disciples of all nations. Not just to sit in Bible studies with people who already believe what we believe.

How Easily We Forget

In Luke 9:23, Jesus says, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves, take up their cross daily, and follow me.” He didn’t say, “Attend church regularly, memorize Bible verses, and stay comfortable.” No, Jesus called us to sacrifice, to step out of our comfort zones, and to follow Him into the broken places of the world. Attending worship and knowing the Bible aren’t bad, actually they are part of the discipleship process. But they are not the end goal of discipleship. The end goal of discipleship is that the world around us sees Jesus lived out in us and comes to know Him through our life witness. Notice that says life witness not just witness. It’s about living it out in our relationships through our words and actions.

When you read through the Gospels, Jesus was constantly engaging with people far from God. His disciples were right there with Him—learning, watching, and then doing the same things. They weren’t passive spectators; they were active participants in the mission of God.

The same is expected of us. If we claim to be disciples, we can’t just watch from the sidelines. We must be in the game—reaching people, building relationships, sharing the hope we have in Jesus. If we’re not doing that, we’re just playing church, and we’ve missed the point entirely.

Discipleship is not for the faint of heart. It’s war. Spiritual war. And I don’t throw that phrase out lightly. We’re pushing back against the darkness, not just for our own sake but for the sake of others. If your version of discipleship looks more like a church picnic than a battlefield, then you’ve missed it entirely.

Discipleship is about making war on the gates of hell. And you don’t do that by staying inside the walls of the church. You do that by stepping into the world and declaring the good news of Jesus to the lost, the broken, the hopeless, and the forgotten. That’s evangelism. And it’s not optional. It’s not for pastors and other church staff. It’s not for those with theology degrees. It’s for everyone who claims to follow Jesus.

It’s time to stop playing pretend. We can’t afford to keep drawing lines between discipleship and evangelism. If we’re serious about making disciples, then we need to start equipping people to reach those far from Jesus. Not in theory, but actually in practice.

It’s time to get back to the basics of following Jesus: go and make disciples. No excuses. No more sitting on the sidelines. If we’re not making more disciples, we’re failing at discipleship. It’s as simple as that.

Let’s be a church that’s known not just for what we know, but for what we do. Let’s be a church that multiplies, because disciples make disciples. And if we’re not doing that, are we even following Jesus.

Did We Trade Jesus for Tradition?

October 2, 2024 / / 3 Comments

In far too many churches today, comfort and tradition have become king. We’ve polished the pews, crafted predictable schedules, and formed tight-knit circles where everyone knows the routine. Even our creative expressions have become a routine of their own. We cherish our sacred rituals, passed down through generations, but somewhere along the way, we have to ask: have we traded Jesus for tradition?

When Did Tradition Take Over

The gospel of Jesus was never about comfort. It was a disruptive, earth-shattering call to lay down our lives, pick up our crosses, and follow Jesus. Yet, somewhere along the way, churches began to confuse following Jesus with following routines and rituals. We set up structures, established a rhythm, and suddenly, what was meant to serve the mission became the mission.

How often do churches prioritize the way things have always been done? We cling to old worship styles, familiar liturgies, and routines that make us feel safe. But here’s the hard truth: Jesus never promised safety. He promised a mission that would shake us to our core. The church is meant to be alive, messy, and constantly adapting to reach the world with the gospel.

The Comfort Lie

Comfort is seductive. It feels good to know what’s coming next, to be surrounded by familiar faces, and to have everything mostly predictable. But the danger of comfort is that it can lull us into complacency. It makes us risk-averse, content with keeping things as they are rather than stepping into the unknown for the sake of the gospel.

Too often, we hold on to traditions that have long lost their purpose. We assume people are being changed simply because they show up on Sundays. Meanwhile, the world outside our stained-glass windows is crying out for hope, and we sit in our comfortable sanctuaries, unwilling to adjust our methods to reach them.

And if we’re honest, it’s not just the methods. Sometimes it’s the message. We soften the law, making it palatable, trying not to ruffle feathers, all in the name of keeping people in their comfort zones. But the law was never meant to make us comfortable. Likewise the gospel is often confused with something that is anything but gospel. We make it the gospel plus some attitudinal shift or lifestyle change. But the gospel is God’s welcoming us in spite of our shortcomings.

Rediscovering the Gospel’s Power

So, how do we reclaim the power of the gospel over tradition?

We start by asking hard questions: Are our traditions helping or hindering the mission of Jesus? Are we holding on to practices because they bring life, or just because they’re familiar? Jesus didn’t come to establish a static institution but to call a movement of believers willing to turn the world upside down for His name.

Take a hard look at the local church. Are people being transformed? Are lives being radically changed? If not, then maybe it’s time to reconsider whether the Jesus we proclaim is truly the one who walked the streets with tax collectors and prostitutes, who challenged the religious elite, who loved the unlovable, and who tore down barriers.

The early church didn’t have fancy buildings or rigid schedules, but they had the gospel, and it changed everything. What would happen if we were willing to let go of our comfort zones and embrace the unpredictable, radical call of Christ again?

The Thrill of Following Jesus

When a church chooses Jesus over tradition, everything changes. The mission comes alive, and so do the people. You start seeing new faces, hearing testimonies of transformation, and feeling the Spirit at work in ways you never imagined.

This isn’t about throwing tradition out the window. Some traditions carry deep meaning and connect us to the larger story of God’s people. But when tradition becomes a substitute for mission, when it stifles rather than serves, it’s time for a change.

Imagine a church that isn’t defined by what’s comfortable, but by its passion for the lost. A church that isn’t held back by routines but propelled forward by the relentless love of Jesus. That’s the church Jesus is building, and it’s far more exciting than maintaining the status quo.

It’s Time to Make the Shift

What is the most important thing we have as the church? The choice seems clear to me: Jesus or tradition as the most important principle of the church. One brings life, power, and purpose; the other can bring stagnation and safety. If we truly believe in the gospel, we can’t settle for comfort. We must be willing to break out of the mold, challenge the status quo, and be the hands and feet of Jesus to a world desperately in need of Him.

It’s time to ask ourselves: Have we traded Jesus for tradition? And if we have, are we ready to make the shift back to the life-changing gospel that started it all? Because the moment we choose Jesus over comfort, we step into a mission far greater than anything tradition could ever provide. And that’s where the real adventure begins.

Don’t Hate People Just Because They Sin Differently Than You

September 30, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Let’s get something straight right out the gate. You’re not better than the person who sins differently than you. That might sound harsh, but it’s something the church desperately needs to hear. Too often, we Christians act like we’ve mastered righteousness, but in reality, we’re just expert finger-pointers. We throw around phrases like “hate the sin, love the sinner,” yet the way we treat people says something entirely different.

Instead of love, we dish out judgment. Instead of grace, we serve up condemnation. We look at people whose struggles don’t align with our own and think, “At least I’m not as bad as them.” It’s not only hypocritical, it’s unchristlike.

Let me make this as plain as possible. Jesus didn’t come to give you a hierarchy of sin so you could rank yourself against others. He came to save sinners, period. And guess what? You’re one of them. So am I. So is everyone! The gospel levels the playing field, and it’s time we stop acting like our sins are cute little mistakes while the sins of others are grotesque and unforgivable.

Christian Condescension?

The church has created a culture where some sins are deemed more acceptable than others. We don’t bat an eye at gossip, greed, or pride, but if someone is struggling with sexual identity or addiction, we act like they’re public enemy number one. We throw around words like “abomination” while conveniently ignoring that God detests all sin. Yes, including that prideful spirit we carry when we sit in the pews and shake our heads at “those people.”

This culture of condescension has pushed so many people away from the church—and not just the ones who don’t believe in Jesus. I’m talking about people who do believe but feel like they can’t bring their whole selves to the church because they’ll be judged, labeled, or even rejected. You know what that means? It means we’ve lost Jesus’ purpose for the church!

Jesus Loved the Outcast—Do You?

Take a look at Jesus. Who did He hang out with? The perfect? The pure? The religious elites? Nope. Jesus was drawn to the outcasts. He spent time with prostitutes, tax collectors, lepers, and those society deemed “unclean.” He didn’t just preach to them from a safe distance—He sat with them, ate with them, and loved them where they were.

Let that sink in for a minute. Jesus didn’t demand they clean up their lives before He could love them. He didn’t qualify His love with “as long as you get your act together.” His love was unconditional. And in the presence of that love, people’s lives were transformed. In the words of a group I’m part of, Jesus let people belong before they even believed everything he taught. I think we could learn from Jesus’ example!

Where is that love in the church today?

Let’s be honest. We’re more concerned with correcting people than we are with loving them. We want them to know they’re wrong before we show them they’re loved. That’s not how Jesus operated, and it’s no wonder it’s not working for us.

We All Need Grace

Here’s something we forget far too often: your sin might look different, but it’s still sin. Maybe you don’t struggle with the same things as someone else, but that doesn’t make you any less in need of God’s grace. You might not be battling addiction, but do you struggle with greed, anger, or pride? Have you ever lied, harbored bitterness, or been self-righteous? Welcome to the human condition.

Romans 3:23 doesn’t say “for some have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” It says all have sinned. Yes, that means you, me and everyone! So, why are we so quick to act like our own sins are no big deal while we crucify others for theirs?

Let me make this crystal clear: you are not the Holy Spirit. It’s not your job to convict people of their sin. That’s God’s work. Your job is to love people like Jesus did, without strings attached. You’re not called to change people’s hearts—that’s a burden only God can carry. You’re called to show the kind of love that leads people to want to know more about Jesus, not to judge them into hiding their struggles. We do need to call explain the right and wrong of the Bible but not to through judgement around like it’s candy at a parade.

Radical love looks like listening without lecturing. It looks like accepting people as they are. It looks like walking with people in the messiness of life, even if their mess makes you feel uncomfortable.

If we, as the church, want to see transformation, we need to create spaces where people can be honest about their struggles without fear of rejection. We need to be the kind of people who are known for love, not judgment. The kind of people who see past the surface and recognize the image of God in every human being, no matter what they’re going through.

Jesus didn’t shy away from the broken, and neither should we. In fact, He ran toward them, arms wide open. He loved people so deeply that they couldn’t help but be drawn to Him. That’s the model we need to follow. It’s time to stop acting like loving people means excusing their sin—it doesn’t. It means trusting God to do the convicting while we do the loving. When we rightly explain the law and the gospel of God, it opens a world of possibilities for the Holy Spirit. Paul tells us that faith comes from hearing the word of Christ. If we do the speaking, they’ll do the hearing and the Holy Spirit will do the rest.

Let’s start loving like Jesus did—radically, without reservation, and with the understanding that none of us are perfect. You can love Jesus without hating people who sin differently than you. That’s the gospel, and that should be the mission of the church.

The Mighty Will Fall

September 25, 2024 / / 0 Comments

I recently read a book titled How the Mighty Fall by Jim Collins. It looks at some of the nations significant corporations, past and present, and evaluates the rise and fall of many of them. He overlays five stages of this falling process. I believe there is something in this book for us as individuals but also for the church. What follows is how I see the principles in this book being applied to the church.

It’s no secret, the church in North America is in decline. Attendance is down, people (young and old) are walking away, and once-thriving congregations are closing their doors. If this isn’t alarming to you, it should be. And no, this isn’t just another cultural shift we can sit back and ignore, hoping it will fix itself. In fact, Jim Collins’ analysis in How the Mighty Fall provides a sobering look at what happens when organizations—churches included—refuse to address the warning signs of decline.

In his book, Collins traces the downfall of successful companies through five distinct stages: hubris (pride) born of success, undisciplined pursuit of more, denial of risk and peril, grasping for salvation, and finally, capitulation to irrelevance or death. Sound familiar? It should. These stages aren’t just reserved for businesses; they apply directly to a variety of scenarios in life including the local church.

1. Detriment of Pride

The first stage of decline, according to Collins, is the arrogance that comes from past success. For decades, the church in North America sat comfortably in the driver’s seat of culture. We built massive buildings, programs, and ministries, and we thought we had it all figured out. The problem? We became arrogant. We assumed that because we were successful in the past, we would always be successful. We took on a build it and they will come mentality. We acted as though all we had to do was hold to what we believe and the rest would work itself out.

Collins warns that this kind of pride is dangerous: “Great enterprises can become insulated by their success, becoming bloated and slow in their decision-making processes” (How the Mighty Fall, p. 26). The church’s historical position in society made us complacent. We assumed that people would keep coming, that we would remain relevant just because we always had been. Guess what? We were wrong. And that arrogance has set us on a dangerous path.

2. I Want MORE!

The second stage of decline is what Collins calls the “undisciplined pursuit of more.” We’ve seen this play out in the church in numerous ways. As numbers started to dwindle, many churches responded by starting more programs, events, and ministries hoping something would solve the problem. Remember build it and they will show up right? More opportunities means more people will be here. Bigger worship experiences, more events, more complexity. But this lack of focus is killing us. Trying to be all things to all people in all circumstances isn’t working out well.

Collins states, “When an organization grows beyond its ability to fill its key seats with the right people, it has set itself up for a fall” (How the Mighty Fall, p. 39). The church, in its attempt to stay relevant, has often stretched itself too thin, offering everything to everyone while failing to keep its focus on its core mission: making disciples. We’ve traded depth for breadth, and now we’re paying the price. We traded discipleship and evangelism for programs and teaching styles.

3. Denial

Stage three is where things get really dangerous: denial. Collins says that organizations in this phase ignore the warning signs that their success is crumbling. The church in North America has been in this stage for decades, refusing to admit that we are, in fact, in decline. We point to outliers, large megachurches, or the strength of our teaching as proof that everything’s fine. But it’s not fine. We’re bleeding members, and our cultural influence is fading fast.

Here’s a hot take for you – the church does NOT exist without people!

Collins puts it bluntly: “In this stage, internal warning signs begin to mount, yet external results remain strong enough that leaders explain away disturbing data or attribute it to external factors” (How the Mighty Fall, p. 52). Sound familiar? We’ve been explaining away the decline of the church for too long—blaming secularism, technology, or changing moral values. But the real problem is our refusal to adapt and change.

Now don’t get your undies in a bunch! We need to know what can’t be change and hold fast. The truth of the Gospel. The purity of our doctrines are key! But the forms they take on? The way they’re expressed…those are the things that we need to be constantly evaluating.

4. Grasping for Salvation

In the fourth stage, Collins describes organizations in panic mode. They start grasping for quick fixes and salvation strategies. In the church, this often looks like chasing the latest trend: new worship styles, celebrity guest speakers, or flashy marketing campaigns. Or they move to the flip side and double down on tradition. We circle the wagons and cling tightly to what’s always worked so why not force everyone to look the same? But these are just Band-Aids on a gaping wound. “Leaders desperately search for a silver bullet,” Collins writes, “but most attempts fail to produce sustained improvements” (How the Mighty Fall, p. 78).

We’ve been trying to “fix” the church without addressing the root issues. These quick-fix strategies may work temporarily, but they aren’t sustainable.

5. Tapping Out

Finally, if we continue down this road, we’ll reach the fifth stage: irrelevance or death. This is where churches close their doors for good. And yes, it’s happening. All across North America, congregations are shutting down because they refused to acknowledge and act on the early stages of decline. “Capitulation is the final collapse,” Collins warns (How the Mighty Fall, p. 94). Will that be our fate too?

It Doesn’t Have To Be This Way

If we don’t wake up, we will continue down this path of decline. The church isn’t immune to the forces that cause other organizations to fall. We must acknowledge the warning signs, face reality, and take action before it’s too late. The good news is that Collins also emphasizes recovery is possible. But it requires humility, focus, and a willingness to change.

The time for complacency is over. Let’s stop denying the truth and start making the bold, hard decisions necessary to save the church before it’s too late. And it starts with an honest assessment of our current reality. If we can be brutally honest of our position on the lifecycle curve, we can properly address some next steps.

One Of My Favorite Days

September 12, 2024 / / 1 Comment

Historically this was one of my favorite days. It was still a bit eerie but stands out as quite the amazing day nonetheless.

The skies were still empty. Life still was standing still for the most part.

Businesses were closed in some sectors of the country. Schools weren’t sure if they should open or close. Churches opened their doors wide up to welcome any and all who just needed some form of comfort and hope.

The dust was still covering most of Manhattan. The military mights from across the spectrum of our allied nations were jockeying for prime position to have the greatest impact of retaliation.

But more notable for me was the way we all bled the same color that day.

Today I hear a lot about blues and reds and even the blended purple of states across this nation. But that day our blood flowed the same. Our hearts beat as one.

It was cool to hear God Bless America playing in random places. People were flying the American Flag that had never flown one before. While I have no real stats on this, I’d imagine flag sales went through the roof as the entire nation became one mass of patriotism.

The day before we suffered a catastrophic blow but it wasn’t fatal. Sure thousands would lose their lives that day but the nation as a whole wasn’t crushed. We stumbled. We even fell on our face for a moment. But on 9.12 we could be seen in a kneeling posture regaining composure. We were gathering our whits and evaluating our surroundings.

Together we cared for loved ones. Together we looked out for neighbors. Together we stood to sing our national anthem. Together we paused when we saw a flag flying. Together we lifted the wounded and grieved with those who mourned.

We were stronger because we did it together.

It was truly one of my favorite days. I look around and long for that feeling again. I see how we handle election season and see how weak we’ve become. We’re not weak because we are a weak nation. We’re weak because we’re so divided. I think back to the great fall through the years of the pandemic. We suffered greatly because we didn’t do it together.

You’d think we’d learn, but I fear we’re too self absorbed to learn from one another. The best we can do is lay down our differences and put aside our agendas and focus on those around us.

It truly was one of my favorite days because we lived up to our name. Divided we will fall. But that day united we stood, stronger than ever.

If only we remembered

September 11, 2024 / / 3 Comments

The pictures are everywhere today. Photoshopped images with super imposed phrases. 

Never forget. 

We will always remember. 

If only we remembered.

In the moment it was devastating. I will certainly remember forever where I was. I’ll remember as I heard the first airplanes go overhead. Fighter jets scrambled from the local airport. It’s not something I heard every day. 

The images that filled our television screens were horrific at best. Smoke and dust filled the air. People were crying, others gasping for air. 

Police and firefighters were transformed before our very eyes into the every day heroes they had always been. Politicians linked hands across the aisle. We no longer saw those who disagree with us over trivial matters as enemies. We had a real enemy. And we were more united than ever. If only we remembered. 

For several weeks, people across the country would gather, linking arms vowing to never stop until justice was served. Our resolve as a nation had never been stronger. They woke a sleeping giant we thought. We will make them pay was another phrase echoed from sea to shining sea. If only we remembered. 

But those weeks would turn to months, and months would turn to years. With every passing anniversary we would vow yet again to “never forget.” Perhaps I’m a pessimist but it sure looks like we don’t have as good a memory as we claim.

But what would happen if we actually remembered?

How would life be different if we remembered on October 1 or February 12 or May 7 or any day for that matter? What would be different if we actually remembered the gut punch we felt on September 11, 2001? What would be different if we as a people stood together the way we did on September 12, 2001?

The answer is simple.

We would be strong. We would be fearless. We would be a beacon of hope. We would be a refuge to the weary. We would be united. And there would be no doubt in anyone’s mind exactly who we were. If only we remembered. 

It’s ok to post your tower pic. It’s ok to reflect on where we’ve been. It’s ok to shed a tear but perhaps instead of any of these things we could actually remember. We could stand next to someone who doesn’t see eye to eye with us and realize that’s what made this nation great. A common ground for uncommon thoughts. A safe haven for the oppressed. A powerhouse renowned around the world.

Perhaps instead of saying we remember, we could actually remember. We could live the September 12th life again. Perhaps we can be the people our pictures reflect.

If only we remembered.

Small Churches Aren’t Bad Churches

August 30, 2024 / / 2 Comments

In today’s church landscape, there’s a tendency to equate a church’s health with its size. Bigger is better, right? More people in the pews, a larger budget, and a grandiose building are often seen as signs of a thriving church. But is this really the case? Can a small church be just as healthy, impactful, and spiritually vibrant as a mega-church? Absolutely!

In fact, the size of a church doesn’t necessarily reflect its spiritual health or the depth of its impact on its community. A small church, which I know is fairly ambiguous term these days, can be a powerhouse of faith, love, and service. Likewise, a large church can be a hollow shell, bursting at the seams with people but lacking the transformative influence that truly matters.

Note this is not a post about large versus small churches and which is better! The point is that the size of a church is not the key metric in a church’s health. Both large and small churches can be equally healthy or equally unhealthy.

It’s easy to fall into the trap of believing that a church’s size determines its effectiveness. But this is a dangerous and misguided assumption. Jesus never said, “Go, and make your church big.” or “Go and keep your church small.” Instead, He commissioned us to make disciples, love one another, and be the light of the world. These commands can be fulfilled by churches of any size.

A small church with a few dozen members can have a profound impact on its community if it is focused on fulfilling Christ’s mission. This kind of church doesn’t need to be big to be healthy. In fact, some small churches are thriving, filled with passionate believers who are deeply committed to living out the gospel in their daily lives.

On the flip side, a large church can be unhealthy if it loses sight of its true purpose. Just because a church has thousands of members doesn’t mean it’s fulfilling its mission effectively. A mega-church might have a massive budget, a polished worship team, and state-of-the-art facilities, but these things alone don’t define its health for the good or bad. If it’s not fostering genuine discipleship, building authentic community, or making a lasting difference in the lives of its members and neighbors, a church of any size is missing the mark.

True Metrics of a Healthy Church

In his book Small Church Essentials, Karl Vaters challenges the assumption that bigger is always better and offers insight into how small churches can thrive. Vaters emphasizes that church health should be measured by more than just numbers. He provides practical guidance for small churches and highlights key metrics that define a healthy congregation, regardless of size.

Here are four alternate essential metrics for measuring the health of a congregation based on Vaters’ work:

1. Authentic Relationships:
One of the strengths of a small church is its ability to foster deep, authentic relationships among its members. In a small congregation, people can know each other personally, pray for one another by name, and offer support in times of need. Healthy churches prioritize building a loving, caring community where people feel known and valued. This relational closeness is often difficult (although not impossible) to achieve in larger congregations, where it’s easier for people to slip through the cracks. A healthy church—regardless of size—focuses on cultivating genuine relationships that reflect Jesus’ love for all.

2. Spiritual Growth:
A healthy church is one that prioritizes the spiritual growth of its members. Discipleship isn’t just about attending church services; it’s about growing deeper in faith, knowledge, and obedience to Christ. A small church can be a fertile ground for spiritual growth, offering opportunities for mentoring, Bible study, and personal accountability. Healthy congregations are intentional about helping their members grow in their relationship with God, regardless of the size of their Sunday attendance.

3. Community Engagement:
A truly healthy church is outwardly focused, actively serving and engaging with the community around it. We often call that evangelism in church world. Small churches often have the advantage of being deeply embedded in their local context. They may not have the resources to run massive outreach programs, but they can have a big impact by meeting specific needs, building relationships, and being a faithful presence in their neighborhoods. A church’s health is not just measured by what happens within its walls but frequently by how effectively it extends Christ’s love beyond them.

4. Shared Leadership:
Healthy churches empower their members to step into leadership roles. In a small church, there’s often more opportunity for individuals to contribute their gifts and take on responsibilities. This can be a powerful catalyst for growth, both for the individuals involved and for the church as a whole. A healthy congregation actively invests in raising up leaders who will continue to serve, lead, and expand Jesus’ mission for His church. It’s not about having a superstar pastor or a large staff; it’s about equipping every member to live out their individual calling.

The health of a church is not measured by how many people show up on a Sunday morning. It’s about the depth of relationships, the spiritual growth of disciples, the impact on the community, and the development of leaders. Whether your church has 50 or 5,000 members, these are some things that we can’t ignore.

It’s time we reject the assumption that small churches are less effective or less important. And equally we need to reject the notion that large churches are shallow and water down the Bible. A large or small church can be a powerful force for good, bringing transformation to its members and community. Instead of focusing on numbers, let’s focus on what really counts: faithfulness to Christ’s mission. When we do that, size becomes secondary, and true health and impact emerge.

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