My boys love to play the “tycoon” games. For instance, mall tycoon, restaurant tycoon, and park tycoon. There is actually a Prison Tycoon (we don’t have that game).In those computer games they design and manage these various businesses. Throughout this book we have all listed those things we don’t like about current church practice. Let’s play “church tycoon.” Let’s get real, concrete and down to the brass tacks.
IF YOU WERE GIVEN THE CHARGE OF SETTING UP A CHURCH WHAT DO YOU THINK SHOULD BE THE TOP 10 PRIORITIES?
6 comments:
Here are my top ten. Not necessarily in any particular order.
1. Children/middle school/high school ministry would be at the top of the hierarchy. Each would have Sunday School, Wednesday night and Sunday evening opportunities. They would be involved in authentic ministry. The church would reach out to single parents. They would be led only by sold out Christians with a passion to serve that particular age group.
2. Worship services would be fluid but not flying in the wind. Prayer would be a huge component of a service. Opportunities for prayer before services would be available. People with the spiritual gift of prayer would be specifically charged with the use of such gift.
3. A blend of music styles would be present in the services.
4. We would have open Sunday School classes meaning “come one—come all.” Doesn’t matter the age, sex, or marital status. Doesn’t matter if the class has 2 members or 200 members. The word of God would be taught.
5. The facility, whatever that consists of, would be completely utilized to its fullest potential. For example, if you have a gym Upwards, Weight Watchers, a weight room, etc. should be utilized. If you have a nice meeting room, advertise it for business meetings. If you have a nice sanctuary, advertise it to the school.
6. Utilize lay members and those willing to accept bivocational positions to lower the overhead costs of churches.
7. I heard this one from a friend and really like it. Require that each deacon be directly involved and responsible for some type of ministry. Huge emphasis on missions and ministry. Overseas, backdoor, whatever. Ministry that meets the needs. Reach the lost where they are.
8. Hold mature Christians accountable. Obviously not beat people down but there is a spiritual gift of encouragement or exhortation. Utilize those people to help exhort and spur own ministries that seem to falter.
9. Utilize the spiritual gifts given to us by the Holy Spirit within the church.
10. Train the people. 20% does 80%. I believe that is true in most organization. What are doing about that? Nothing but accepting. Just think if we double that. Imagine if 40% did 60%
Wow, what a question! I'll put these down, yet in no particular order:
1. A church that emphasizes relational evangelism.
2. A powerful children's minsitry that reaches families, not just kids.
3. A youth ministry that disciples young believers into young adults sold out for Christ.
4. 100% member assimilation into minstry, using their gifts for His glory and honor.
5. A dynamic Sunday School
6. A Marriage and Family minsitry
7. Authentic worship that is done in Spirit and in Truth.
8. Mission emphasis and opportunities.
9. A centralized focus on prayer
10. Strong leadership who is constantly developing new leaders
Here's a few that made my short list, but did not actually make my top ten:
11. Jacuzzi Whirlpool Baptistry
12. A Krispy Kreme in the lobbby with the Hot and Now sign always on
13. A list of volunteer nursery workers so long that it would take an excel spreadsheet to keep up with it.
14. A yearly sabatical for the preacher to the Holy Land
15. A new ministry called "Wake Up Ushers", who gently thumps the back of the head of anyone who falls asleep during the sermon
16. A bottomless budget
17. A men's restroom that looks and smells as nice as the ladies' restroom
18. A "NO SOUTHERN GOSPEL MUSIC HERE" sign at ever entrance (I realize this is just for me personally)
19. A custodial service that cleaned like your mawmaw, where everything was spotless, all the time.
20. And last but not least, a big sign that reads: "We consider the phrase WE AINT NEVER DONE IT THAT WAY BEFORE a compliment"
Brad
Brad,
I LOVE number 20 on your list. Your first 10 were great but your final 10 are tough to beat. Thanks for the insight as well as the laugh.
1. Prayer
2. Solid Preaching
3. Prayer
4. Childrens ministry
5. Prayer
6. Sinners only are welcome
7. Prayer
8. Money goes to the least of these
9. Prayer
10. No full time staff.
MIKE UPTAIN
1. Prayer
2. Children’s
3. Youth
4. College
5. Singles
6. Married
7. Small group
That is as far as I got. As you can see I think the emphasis should be on the young ones. The list is also a progression of how I believe a person in a church should develop spiritually. I also agree with Mike’s no full time staff (ironically my wife is employed by a church). Great idea, but how about this….no facilities. A close friend of mine attends a church where they have their worship space donated (meet in warehouses etc.) Their small groups meet in members houses. They still receive offering, but almost 100% goes to fund missionaries and Christian charity organizations. I thought that was a novel idea for getting the most out of God’s money! No huge building or underutilized space. No cleaning staff. No heating or cooling bills. No mortgage. Just a group of believers meeting to worship God!
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