No Brown M&M’s

By Franklin R. Dumond

When Van Halen’s rock concerts expanded to new markets, Article 126 was added to their production contract. This obscure instruction was buried among all the details of weight limits, rigging points and door widths required to bring in, set up and operate the several truckloads of equipment and staging used in the concert.

m and msArticle 126 seemed odd, even unnecessary. It simply required that backstage should be equipped with a bowl of M&M candies. The stipulation continued that all brown M&M’s be removed. Even a single brown M&M could result in forfeiture of the show with full compensation paid to the band by the promoters.

At least one concert was cancelled when brown M&M’s were discovered. The appearance of a brown piece of candy indicated to the band that other contract requirements had probably not been followed. At the cancelled concert, local promoters had not only allowed brown candy, but had also failed to read the weight requirements for staging and equipment. If the concert had not been cancelled the arena’s stage would have collapsed under the weight of the equipment needed for the production. (See Crazy from the Heat by David Lee Roth)

We don’t usually serve M&M’s while doing ministry, but there are at least five little things that when left unattended can be red flags of danger. These red flags may signal imminent decline or even impending death of once thriving churches.

At the 2007 Summit, we actually did serve M&M's!

At the 2007 Summit, we actually DID serve M&M’s!

1. Dust and Clutter It happens so gradually that regular attenders become accustomed to it while guests cringe. It is especially distasteful when it happens in restrooms, foyer areas and kitchens. One solution to this might be a good spring cleaning day or fall workday with specific lists of areas to be cleaned and items to be stored properly.

2. Spelling Errors This used to be confined to the weekly bulletin that was hurriedly composed in preparation for Sunday. Word processors have eliminated many of those glaring errors while also introducing the new peril of a correctly spelled word that is the wrong one. (i.e. ‘the’ when ‘they’ was the intended word) Projection systems also introduce a new arena for error since song lyrics and announcements tend to be saved for future use. Unfortunately first time errors will not be corrected by merely saving the work for second time use. Two solutions here include having every printed piece read by at least two people and having someone make a list of projected errors so they can be corrected.

3. Inadequate Signage Even small buildings benefit from a few well-placed directional signs. Restrooms and nurseries should be easily located. Children’s areas, especially if the church invests in extended children’s worship/ministries, should be identified. A possible way to identify signage needs might be to ask a friend to visit the building for the first time and then report how easy or difficult it was to find needed areas based on the available signage.

4. Dated Color Schemes While some colors and décor remain classic others change with every generation.   Classic architecture and genuine antique furnishings never go out of style if properly maintained, while the pastels of the 70s and the heavy earthen tones of the 80s have been replaced by new preferences. Glaring fluorescent tubes may be easily replaced with fixtures that use even less energy while producing a more natural light. A solution to this issue might be to look back to when the church was last repainted or redecorated, and to determine a schedule of revisiting décor at least every 5-7 years.

5. Light Bulbs and Trash Cans While possibly an extension of dust and clutter this area warrants a separate listing. If light bulbs are burned out and trash cans are full urgent attention is required. In a recent visit to a church I almost asked where the janitor’s closet was located because I counted so many light fixtures that needed new bulbs! The only solution to this red flag is for someone to take the time to change the bulbs and empty the trash cans!

While this list may seem a little silly, or even inconsequential, it has been my experience that a church that does not give attention to these little things will not give attention to the big things of missions and evangelism and discipleship.

What little things have you noticed that, when left unattended, become major things? Click “Leave a Comment” at the top of this article to share your experiences with us.

The Powerball Theory

By Dr. Franklin Dumond

I keep not-winning the multi-million dollar Powerball drawings. Every few months I hear about someone who had the chosen set of numbers, with the result that early retirement appears to be on their horizon.church growth is not a lottery system

My wife and I have often speculated about what we would do with several hundred million dollars. We always come up with mortgages paid off, new cars all around, and student loans for the boys retired early. We quickly run out of things to purchase so I suppose that if we win we’ll just have to purchase a large vault to pile full of the left over cash.

Since only one of several million people win and since I don’t buy tickets I guess I’ll keep my day job, continue my mortgage payments, and offer a little help to my recent college graduates.

Church leaders often have a lottery mentality of church growth. They assume there is one thing they can do to bring the crowds back to worship. The four areas I run across most often in this church growth sweepstakes are:

1. Worship Style. I often hear people advocate a return to traditional worship as THE key to church growth. I even more often hear people bemoan their lack of contemporary worship as THE missing ingredient to bring about church growth. Neither a reactionary return to keyboard driven worship nor a proactive investment in a praise team will result in a crowd at church. The lesson here is that what-we-do is not as important as who-we-are as we develop relationships with people and invite them to join us on the journey of Christian faith.

2. Technology. It is rare these days to find a church without a sound system and it is almost as rare to find a church without a projection system. These technological tools will not, by themselves, reach people. If the culture of a congregation does not value reaching and caring for people, no amount of technology will do the job.

3. Décor. New paint and carpet may be sorely needed but new décor cannot by itself attract people. Since the vast majority of unchurched folks never enter a church building the color scheme, while important, will not be decisive in reaching the unchurched.

4. New Preacher. Pastoral leadership is a key factor in a church’s growth, yet in a congregational system of church government it will almost never be THE major factor in a church’s lack of growth. Long before lay leaders plan for the pastor’s replacement the honest question of “Who is really in charge here?” needs to be answered.

While there is no one thing that will result in the sweepstakes win of a record worship attendance, there are four core processes that will always be effective in winning people and growing the church. I like the way Bill Easum and Bill Tenny-Brittian identify them: invite, assimilate, disciple, and commission. These processes, when repeated and sustained, will attract a crowd and grow a church.

What do you think are some of the core processes that attract a crowd and grow a church?  Click on ‘Leave a Comment’ at the top to share your opinion.

 

Messy Networks

The older I get the more I realize that I need a network of people, agencies and institutions to get me through life in an imperfect world. Yet the give and take of networking that is so often messy and uncomfortable, remains essential.

Recently it happened again. I needed help. Help was available…eventually!

As I turned off the highway toward my evening appointment I noticed the temperature gauge in my car was registering on the high side of the dial. My routine service appointment earlier that day had told me everything checked out fine. Just as I determined to turn around my temperature light turned a bright red. A few minutes later I was parked on an access ramp ready for my network to kick in with much needed assistance.getting help requires a network of people

Since I pay for a previously unused membership in a roadside assistance program, I started my networking there. While the phone was still ringing three Good Samaritans and one police officer spontaneously joined my network. Unfortunately all they could do was confirm my diagnosis of an apparently ruptured radiator hose. They helped me push the car to a safer location on the highway shoulder. By this time I was in touch with my official network for roadside assistance, but one of the helpful strangers insisted on staying until help was on its way.

Networking became messy at this point. I touched the right buttons and responded to the verbal prompts to reach a real, live person to arrange my needed assistance.

After he determined that no one was in a life threatening situation we started our networking. “My car has overheated and I have an obvious radiator problem”, I explained. “Can you help me arrange for a tow truck?”

“I’m sorry you’ve had a problem. What kind of car are you driving?”

“It’s a small Oldsmobile. Can you help arrange towing?”

“Now what color is your car?”

At this point I was puzzled. How can the color of my vehicle be mission-critical to getting it towed to the garage?

The networking became even more difficult when I had to verify my location. Apparently the information form being completed on the other end of my call asked for landmarks and a visual description, along with the street location I had already given.

As we confirmed other details he kept coming back to the need for a landmark to pinpoint my location. It probably didn’t help that I responded in frustration “I’m at the intersection of US 60 and Missouri 25 near Dexter, Missouri just where the police car is driving away.”

Despite my obvious frustration and his obvious obligation to provide a complete description of location, help did arrive in a timely manner. The messy business of networking seemed a lot more worthwhile once the car was loaded up for delivery to the repair shop.

Networking within the church often becomes messy, too. It happens on the local level with competing preferences for programming and space. It happens on the national and international level with an almost endless list of concerns, missed opportunities or failures in communication.

I believe, however, that networking can be less messy if we follow 3 basic principles included in the Bible.

1. Talk with not about people. Jesus advises that when networking goes awry the first response should be to talk to the people involved (see Matthew 18:15).

2. Be realistic in expectations. Everyone cannot do everything. It seemed to me that my roadside assistance was taking entirely too long until I looked back to realize that my tow truck was on its way within about 20 minutes of my call and that it arrived on schedule.

3. Be patient with your network. Mind reading has become a lost art among denominational officials. Information flow to them often is very, very delayed. This often postpones the start of the response time. Generally, however, once the response process begins it proceeds rapidly.

Networking really is messy business. The more I network, however, the more I realize that a network can do together what could never be done alone.

How well does your network function? What steps do you take to insure your networking is optimized?  Click on ‘Leave A Comment’ at the top of this article to join the discussion!