The current reality regarding a church addresses the question, “Where are we really?” It involves identifying a church’s strengths, weaknesses, sins, and areas of needed growth. As a new pastor, you will need to lead the church in identifying and addressing needs related to the current reality. Your challenge in addressing them will be an issue of timing, given that you are their new pastor.
Identifying the current reality is a crucial starting point in embarking on a journey toward greater health and growth as a church. Jesus helped the churches in the book of Revelation see where they were and where He wanted them to go. As a new pastor, you will need to lead out (with others giving input) in this effort.
The following is a list of tools and practices you can use to help your new church identify their current reality.
Pray and Seek God
Identifying current reality should start with a prayerful journey of seeking God to determine, “What is God saying to us about our church?” To all seven churches, He gave this word, “Let he that has ears hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches.”
In Revelation 2-3, we find the Lord addressing current reality with all seven churches. At times, He would point out something they were doing well. In Revelation 3:8, He said to the church at Philadelphia, “for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.” At other times, He would point out things they needed to repent of. In Revelation 2:4, He spoke these words to the church at Ephesus, “you have left your first love.” At times, He challenged a church’s false view of current reality. To the Laodicean church in Revelation 3:17, He wrote, “Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked…”
To all seven churches, He said the following, “Let he that has ears hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches.” An objective view of current reality begins with prayerfulness before God. If we are not praying, we aren’t hearing what God is saying to us about our church.”
Demographic Studies
Current reality involves understanding the people who live in the community around the church. Like an international missionary, you need to become a student of the people and community around you, learning as much as you can about the population’s characteristics and practices. A detailed demographic study is available for you through the NAMB. Simply request one from your KBC regional consultant or visit the link. The study will give information in a 15-minute drive from your church address. Information about religious life in your county will also be provided.
A good question to ask leaders when studying the demographic report is, “Is our congregation a good reflection of who lives in our community?” If there is a significant difference in the people who are members of the church and the people who live in the community, ask leaders, “What would you attribute this difference or disconnect to?” “What has the church attempted or done in the past 5-10 years to reach people that are unlike them?”
Religious Life Research
Every decade, an organization called Glenmary Research conducts studies of religious life in every county in America. The data gleaned from these studies cites the percentage of the county that are adherents (loosely affiliated with any religious group), church members, and actual attenders of a congregation or religious body on an average Sunday. The information from this study helps the congregation see the reaching potential in their county. A physical copy of the report on Kentucky counties can be obtained from your KBC Regional Consultant, or you can click here to obtain a digital copy.
Annual Church Profile Report (ACP)
Each year, churches are asked to submit an annual church profile report sharing statistical information about the previous year’s church ministries. This is submitted and recorded with their local association, state convention, and Southern Baptist Convention. A report can be generated that displays 20 years of information and data on a single page. One can readily observe whether the church has experienced decline or growth in key areas of church life, i.e., worship attendance, baptisms, additions to the church, Sunday School average attendance, and giving. Some good questions to ask church leaders when viewing this report together include: “What story does this tell?” “What trends do you notice?” “What were the contributing factors behind the trends?”
Space and Facilities Study
Some churches have space and facility barriers that hinder their future growth. An unkept facility or outdated furnishings often communicate a poor first impression. Attendance growth can be hindered by overcrowded space in the parking lot, worship center, or Sunday School classes.
A space and facilities study based on real measurements and real data can be obtained through your regional consultant. Questions addressed through such a study help determine which areas are the most limiting factor to future growth.
Church Surveys
Church surveys can be used to gain information from the congregation about their perception and practices related to key areas of church life. Members of the Regional Consultant Group have developed a survey instrument called a Church Health Survey that assists in evaluating key areas of church life. This 38-question survey is obtainable with no cost to the church.
Another effective evaluative tool produced by our Regional Consultants is REMAP (Revitalization Ministry Assessment Profile). This is an evaluative tool to be filled out by leaders to determine the strengths and areas of needed growth in 14 key areas of church life.
Interviews
Listening sessions with church leaders or groups within the church can be a helpful tool in understanding the current reality. Interview questions can focus on members’ perspectives on the church’s history, strengths, weaknesses, and what is needed moving forward. These interviews allow you to hear members’ perspectives on key areas of perceived current reality.
Interviews with people outside the church can be beneficial as well. These may include people in the community, a local AMS, a State Convention Staff consultant, or former pastors.
Church Budget
Where the church spends and invests its income says a lot about what it deems important. A church budget can help leaders identify any imbalances in the following areas: financial support for their staff, the percentage invested in missions, and the allocation of funds between ministries targeted at reaching the lost and those focused on caring for church members.
Start or continue to pray for God to help you know what he is saying to you about your church’s current reality.
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