"A Tale of Two Denominations"

"It was the best of times...it was the worst of times..." depending on who you talk to.  Over the past ten years, I've been trying to watch what God is doing in our own denomination as well as others, especially other holiness groups.  There are many things we can learn through the examples of others in our own denominational journey.

Denomination "A" is struggling.  In the past ten years the number of their churches and membership have declined. A significant number of key leaders have left to serve in other groups.  

Denomination "B" is thriving.  In the past ten years the number of their churches has nearly doubled.  People are continuously coming to Christ, and the denomination is buzzing with a sense of anticipation about God's future for them.  Gifted leaders from other groups are joining Denomination "B" because they want to join a group with vision.  Other denominations are benefiting from their example. 

So...why is one declining and the other climbing?  From talking to people from both denominations, here are some insights I'm learning...

Denominations that grow PLAN to grow.  
NAE studies found denominations that grow intentionally put leaders in these key positions: 
* Administration (much like our Superintendents)
* Ministry training for pastors and lay ministers to set up a continuous stream of leaders 
* Church planting as a primary means of evangelism (existing churches became healthier, too)
Denomination "B" appointed and funded leaders to help them plant churches and train ministry personnel.  Denomination "A" did not.

Denominations that grow make church planting and evangelism their top PRIORITY and PRACTICE.  
The true test of our values is not in what we SAY is important, but what we DO.  Denomination "B" intentionally and sacrificially invested time, money and key leaders to plant reproducing churches.  Denomination "A" did not.

Denominations that grow PRODUCE and release leaders for ministry, finding PLACES for them instead of restricting them.  
Denomination "B" raised up and released pastors and lay leaders into ministry, especially making room for emerging leaders to have influence.  Denomination "A" did not...and has lost many of their best young leaders.

Denominations that grow don't look for obstacles; they look for opportunities with POSITIVE FAITH.  

Listen to groups in decline and you hear statements like this:
* "We can't afford it...this costs too much."
* "We've never done it that way before." 
* "We're not ready for that yet."
* "We've tried that before and it didn't work.  Why try again?"

Listen to growing groups and you hear statements like this:
* "We can't afford not to invest in church planting...it doesn't cost, it pays!" 
* "We won't change our holiness message, but we have to change our methods to reach the lost.  Let's try new ways to reach them!" 
* "Let's step out in risk-taking faith...this is the time to believe God."
* "We're learning from our failures...next time we'll do it better!"

So...in the light of these insights, where are we in The Evangelical Church?  I believe we are somewhere between Denominations "A" and "B." The decisions we are making in these days will determine the size and condition of our leaders, our churches, our conferences and our denomination in the next ten years.  Will we be a growing group with vision and passion planting reproducing churches that win multitudes to Christ, attracting leaders who want to work with a denomination doing significant things for God?  Or...will we be in decline, drifting without vision, losing leaders and having no lasting impact for the Kingdom of God?

God wants to prosper us and give us a greater part in His Kingdom harvest!

Our decisions determine our destiny.  

What we will choose?

--Rev. Tim Roehl, North Central Conference