Assessment

The Two Greatest Needs I see in the Church Today

Assessment, Evaluation, Leadership, Recalibration / By

One of the results of growing old is you develop a long-range perspective. In looking at the Church today I see two great needs I would like to share and have you consider:

  1. The need for Follow-up/Discipleship of New Christians

I am thrilled when I see people getting saved and baptized in water in our churches. Every time I see a post or photo of someone being baptized in water my soul rejoices.

What I have come to see as the greatest need in the church today is for churches/Christians to have an in place one-on-one follow up discipleship program for every new believe. Jesus spent 3 years discipling His followers. Many churches have nothing in place to address this need and even more significantly, many pastors are not discipling anyone one-on-one themselves.

I often find myself wondering how many of those baptized in water will be mature and following Christ two years from now.

What strategy do you and your church have for following up and discipling every new believer, no matter what their age?

  1. The need for Servant leaders focused on Christ, not themselves.

We live in a society that makes us the center of everything. What will help me get ahead? What’s in it for me? How will this help my career? Unfortunately, this is sometimes even true of ministry leaders.

We have forgotten it is all about Christ, not us. The real question is what does Christ want me to be and do. It is not about personal power, pride, prestige, or promotion.

It seems for some “servant leadership” has become I want others to serve me and my goals.

Over the years I have discovered and observed, without true love for Christ and others, there is no servant leadership. If we do not love others and have a burden for them, I think we must not be spending enough time with Christ.

This was not meant to be a criticism of others, but a moment of reflection.

  • Who are you following up/discpling?
  • How is your love for Christ being reflected in your love for others?

Year-End Reflection

Assessment, Evaluation, Re-calibration / By

The end of the year is when a lot of us do some self-reflection. We reflect back over the past year and evaluate how we did in life, work, spiritually, financially, etc. and we then set our goals for the New Year. This self-reflection can be good.

For me it is a time I review my:

  • Personal Mission
  • Core Values
  • Roles
  • History
  • SHAPE

To be sure they reflect what I think Christ wants in my life.

This is also the time I review my calendar for the next year, to be sure it reflects what I believe God wants to fill my days.

A few reflection questions might be:

  • Am I becoming more loving and tenderhearted?
  • Am I treating my family and friends with godly respect?
  • Is my conversation becoming more righteous?”

Consider setting some goals that reflect the way God wants us to live and pursue His righteousness.

How do you assess a church?

Assessment, Evaluation, Re-calibration / By

As I have observed churches over the years I find myself continually asking, “Why do they do what they do?” “Does what they do align with Scripture? and sometimes “Why don’t they reflect Christ more?”

I have found that one or more of the following often explains why churches are the way they are:

  1. Their theological foundation and understanding.

Some churches are clearly seeking to live out their understanding of New Testament. It is clear that they have a solid Biblical and theological foundation for who they are.

Other churches are clearly lacking this. There foundation is more likely to be their heritage or personal preference, with little genuine thought of what God’s Word says. They are more than likely focusing on superficial forms and actions.

My understanding of the church in scripture is “Christian people demonstrating life under the Lordship of Christ.”

Some churches are built more on tradition and preference than the guidance of God through His word.

  1. Their contextual understanding of the people who make up their ministry area.

Some churches are real missionaries. They understand the people in their area: what their real and felt needs are, what the relate to, what has meaning to them. They understand the language of their community. Then they build bridges to the people in their area.

Others act as if everyone in their community is like them and they make no effort to understand or relate to those who might be different than they are. They do not take the time to learn the language or the culture.

We serve a missionary God who expects us to be missionaries.

Some churches are more like the castles of old with the draw bridges drawn up to keep out the outsiders.

  1. Their understanding of the needed systems to be a healthy missional church.

Some churches have identified the systems needed to be a Biblical church and have developed process to help them achieve desired outcomes.

Other churches are built on programs and events that may or may not be producing the desired result. But the sad thing is they are more committed to the programs than the results and outcomes.

The church needs to have processes and systems in place that lead people into Christ like living.

Some churches are busy running program, but seeing very little transformation in the people attending.

If the church is to represent Christ, it needs to:

  • Have a clear Biblical and theological understanding of what the church is to be and do
  • Understand the people that comprise their community
  • Have systems in place to ensure that they desire process and outcomes are happening.

Which of these does your church need to strengthen to reach your full kingdom potential?