Posted by

Posted on

October 2, 2014

Posted under

10 Solutions for Growth Restricting Habits

By Franklin Dumond

While churches fail to grow for a number of reasons there are several habits that restrict growth. Habits that restrict growth, unlike obstacles that restrict growth, can be broken or relearned without official action by the congregation. That is to say that these habits are learned behaviors not required performance mandated in the bylaws. Culture can be changed without a vote but new ways of thinking and acting take time to develop.

I recently broke down 10 habits that can hold congregations back from reaching new people. You can reread that article here. Today, I will lay out some easy solutions to help change these patterns of behavior and open your church up to new growth.

Seating patterns To encourage regular attenders to move forward from the back rows church leaders may:
- rope off the back few pews. (Note: this doesn’t work too well since it is surprising how agile back row sitters are when it comes to jumping over those ropes!)
- encourage new seating patterns on special days. The tried and true adage “Park in the back, sit in the front, move to the middle” often captures attention.
- spend time explaining the importance of changing seating patterns. If someone is to give up a favored seat it will generally be because they see the larger vision of a room that looks comfortably full, space for new folks, etc. Make partners and allies rather than adversaries.
- ask a few people to help by changing seats.
Announcements Announcements, if needed should NEVER be used at the beginning or middle of a worship service. Use them at the end of the service. Restrict them to those that apply to everyone and limit them to 60 seconds.
Proofing Song lyrics and bulletin files that will be saved and reused must have scheduled times for proofing and correction. Enlist a team to help identify and write down needed changes.
Guest Friendly Atmosphere If it is confusing or boring to the first time guest then it should not be said or done. Using a Mystery Worshipper approach might be necessary to gain a real insight into how things look to outsiders.
Décor Most church décor should be simplified and include fewer flowers, ornaments, and pastels. Those things tend to target women and make men feel like they may not belong in that congregation.
Too many hats by too few people This may require limiting serving opportunities. Your leadership may also need to consider that some things that have always be done can no longer be done effectively.
Solo rather than team ministry Divide tasks into four parts and start sharing the load. Rotate tasks over the course of a month. Every member should be involved in ministry.
Status Quo Intentionally choose what the church does. It’s okay to do what has always been done, if it is effective. It’s not okay to do something new just for newness’ sake if it will not be effective for your congregation or community.
Dust, clutter, decay Spring Cleaning and Fall Workday can help cut down on the amount of clutter sitting around, as well as be an intentional effort to give the building a good cleaning..
Loss of Celebration in Worship Start and end with the same praise chorus, making sure it is lively, singable and memorable.

What do you think? Have you noticed ways to help congregations change the habits that restrict growth? Click ‘Leave a Comment’ at the top of this article to share your thoughts and experiences with us!

Posted by

General Baptist Ministries

Posted on

September 30, 2014

Posted under

General Baptists, International Missions

Shining Lights

From Faith Home

Faith Home was founded with the vision of raising up children with the love of Christ so they can go out into the world and be a light to their country. We continue to see the hope of Christ ignite in the children here, as many are now living out that vision in their place in the world outside.

Here are a few examples of how our Faith Home young adults are shining lights in their workplaces, just as God intended them to be.

Odalin

A couple of people that work with Odalin cam to visit Faith Home recently, to see the place where she grew up. One shared how she met Odalin: “I saw her at work and thought to myself, ‘there is something different about this girl.’ It was as if she had a light within here that made me want to know her more. The more I got to know her, the more I was impressed and inspired. I wanted to see the place she grew up, and that taught her how to be this amazing young woman.

Jose Ricardo

During a visit to the workplace of Jose Ricardo, his boss asked us if we had any more young men like Jose. He said Jose is an excellent, honest worker who is a joy to work with. Jose is currently active in a local church where he loves to sing in the band. He has grown into a very responsible young man with a passion for telling others about Christ.

Bely Karina

Bely has proven herself to be such an honest and responsible employee that her boss entrusts her with the keys to open and close the beauty shop everyday and handle the money. Bely currently lives in San Manuel where she attends a local church. She visits Faith Home often to help the Faith Home drama group she started last year. She is an amazing Christian example to the rest of the children.

What is Faith Home to me?

By Odalin

The day I sat in the green van, I had no idea where they were taking me. The man (David Kelle) was driving and I desperately wanted to know where we were going. When we finally got there and got out of the van I didn’t know that it was going to start a marvelous chapter of my life. My life completely changed at that moment.

The day we arrived at Faith Home, there were only 3 other children there, besides my brothers and sisters and I. I was 5 years old at the time and only thought about toys, food, and playing jokes on others.

Days later, I was very sick and the doctors didn’t think that I would live through the night, but we have a marvelous God who gave me another opportunity at life and allowed me to live. Each day when I got up and went to devotions, I saw Martha Kelle walking with all of our medicine and I received a kiss each morning before I left for school. I knew I was loved.

I grew more each day, studying and living in a safe place where I ate well, praised God, and enjoyed the company of many other children.

Now I am 20 years old and have left Faith Home. I live in San Pedro. Now I see why the house parents and missionaries corrected me when I didn’t obey or did things wrong. They wanted to prepare me for this part of my life. I am thankful for that.

I never imagined that God would give me the great opportunity to grow up in a place like Faith Home. I am thankful to God and all of the people that He used and is still using in that place. God chose me before I was born-and not just me, but all of the children who are still in Faith Home or have left to complete His purpose in their lives. It doesn’t matter what our past is. What matters is what our future will be with Christ.

This place is not only an orphanage for children, it is a place that transforms lives and gives hope. This is Faith Home to me.

I don’t usually share my thoughts, but God tells us to share and not hide the marvelous things that He has done for us.

-Odalin

Posted by

General Baptist Ministries

Posted on

September 25, 2014

Posted under

Christian Life, General Baptists, International Missions, National Missions

Updates from the Mission Field

Read the articles below to catch up on what is happening in General Baptist missions, both internationally and here at home.

By Carl Nichols

Last month, National Missions hosted our first in-house assessment for future church planters, and boy, did we learn a lot! I speak for the entire advisory team when I say we are so excited about the future! We will soon be releasing an update with an introduction to our newest church planter slated to plant in Bonita Springs, FL in late 2015 or early 2016.

October 26th will be National Missions Sunday, and we will be receiving an offering. All of this offering will help fund the Go Project to launch 15 churches in the next five years, like our newest plant in Bonita Springs. (To read more about the Go Project, click here) Thank you so much for your faith in our team. Keep your eyes open in the coming weeks for more information and updates.

From Jessey and Brittany Vemula, missionaries in India

This is a personal story of an Indian woman who was brought to Christ through the work of the Lydia Sewing Center in Siddipet. This year’s Ed Steven’s Day offering is helping make stories like Pushpa’s a reality in India by funding not only the sewing center, but mission work out in the community, and food and clothing distributions also.

Pushpa is an India woman from Irkod village, which is eleven kilometers from Siddipet. She was brought up in a Hindu family. Pushpa, who is 25 years old, has three older siblings. She joined the Lydia Sewing Center at the beginning of this year. She had to walk the 11 kilometers from her hometown to train, and was rarely afforded the opportunity to travel by rickshaw. There are devotions every morning at the Lydia Sewing Center, and after hearing these, she decided to give her life to Christ. However, when she chose to become a Christian her life here became much harder.

Pushpa with Alan Motley, short term mission trip participant, this past summer.

Pushpa started attending church, and even told her siblings about Christ. They came to church with her and also became believers. However, their father was not pleased with this. He told them that if they didn’t come back to Hinduism, they would not get their share of the Mango orchard he owned. Pushpa and her siblings stood strong and refused to convert back to Hinduism. Since they refused, their father signed over the property to his nephew.

Pushpa and her siblings pray for their father’s conversion daily. As her pastor, Jessey has conducted prayer meetings and talked with the father, but to no avail. Pushpa and her siblings, however, remain faithful to God in this time of hopelessness. The situation is helped by the fact that Pushpa received free training at the Lydia Sewing Center and received a sewing machine. She and her family are using the sewing machine to bring in extra money. She is very thankful for the help she received from the Lydia Sewing Center. Currently, she is preparing to follow Christ’s example in baptism. Please remember our sister Pushpa and her siblings in your prayer. Most importantly, pray for their parents who have yet to accept Christ into their hearts and lives.