| "The economy is down." | | | | Doing - These guys in S. Barrington, Lake Forest, |
| "The economy is up." | | | | Dallas and Alpharetta do not have to deal with the |
| "Who knows where the economy is going to go?" | | | | real world of economic downturns so why should you |
| "Whatever is happening out there I am just going to | | | | look to any successes they might be developing. |
| wait it out." | | | | Besides, they will be there after you get done playing |
| Amid others, these statements are the kind of | | | | to the naysayers. |
| quotes made literally or figuratively by senior pastors | | | | 7. Assume Technology Can Wait - One of the things |
| around the country. These are good people who are | | | | that happens is when things turn downward Bill Gates |
| setting in place stagnation for the churches they | | | | and Steve Jobs go on really long vacations. In the |
| serve. No pastor would ever say that they are | | | | same way certainly nothing of any value to the |
| planning to stagnate the greatest mission on the | | | | church will come down the pike while the church sits |
| planet to which they have been entrusted. However, | | | | tight. Besides that you have made it into the 90s in |
| that is exactly what is happening in far too many | | | | technology. Maybe you can get into the 00s when |
| churches. | | | | everything improves. |
| To state the obvious, the 13 things are purely satire. | | | | 8. Maintain the Status Quo - You know that a lot of |
| Read them that way. I will say that many of the | | | | churches are declining and that if you have a 25% |
| things I list below I have actually seen or heard in | | | | attrition rate, actually you have to grow by 25% to |
| churches across the country. It is a sad commentary | | | | stay level. So do not feel so bad if you don't plan to |
| on the leadership of those churches. As the senior | | | | improve your total number over last year because |
| leader of the church you serve I implore you to do | | | | you grew anyway. Math always was your strong suit. |
| everything you can to prevent church stagnation. Do | | | | 9. Just Get By - You know as the senior pastor that |
| not PLAN to stagnate. | | | | there is a level of superior excellence, and then there |
| However, if you insist on stagnating, staying flat, or | | | | is a level that is acceptable to most people. Live with |
| maybe even moving a few people out of the seats | | | | the acceptable. You can get by and you should. |
| and parking spaces, I encourage you to follow one or | | | | 10. Tolerate Stuff - You were so legalistic and such a |
| more of the 13 things to successful stagnation. | | | | stickler for detail when the church was growing and |
| 1. Wait & See - With the economy in the tank, | | | | developing momentum. Ease up. Remember God is a |
| coming out of the tank, going further into the tank, | | | | God of grace so during this tough time you can |
| pick your poison; I recommend you wait and see | | | | tolerate stuff. Nobody will really notice that you are |
| before you do anything to advance the Gospel. | | | | not performing at the top of your game. Tolerate. |
| Certainly something uncertain will pop up and you had | | | | 11. Stop Thinking of New Approaches to Ministry - |
| better wait and see before moving forward with | | | | For goodness sakes, we are in a downturn. Why in |
| plans to reach more people for Jesus. | | | | the world would you try to think of new ways to |
| 2. Make an Idle Plan - This is sure to keep the church | | | | reach people with the Gospel? Stick with the tried |
| board and leadership convinced that you actually are | | | | and true. If that does not work, you have to know |
| trying to move the church forward. You do not even | | | | God is not ignorant of what is going on down here. |
| have to be excited about this plan. Just put one | | | | 12. Allow Your Core Values to Lapse - Core values |
| together that you can tout as being "the plan" and | | | | are critical to steering the ship, certainly in the |
| then do nothing with it. Works every time! | | | | beginning. Now, however, you are facing |
| 3. Sit Back & Coast - You have had some good | | | | unprecedented times so you can let these values |
| momentum and that is sure to last you during any | | | | lapse for just a bit. You know down deep you will |
| uncertain times. Besides that you deserve a break. It | | | | come back to them, but now is the time to operate |
| will do you no good to forge ahead so sit back and | | | | with a different set of values. |
| coast. Rest. It will be good for you. Maybe even for | | | | 13. Circle the Wagons - Bill, Rick, Ed and Andy can do |
| the church. They deserve a break today! | | | | the heavy lifting. It is time for you to retrench and |
| 4. Play to the Naysayers - You have a good number | | | | prevent any mistakes. Don't take on any water. |
| of very smart analytical people in the church you | | | | Make sure no one on the outside gets in. Just take |
| serve. These folks were invaluable to you during Y2K | | | | care of those on the inside. Evangelism and missions |
| and now you should really listen to them. Play it safe | | | | will return when the risk is less. That is good |
| and don't make any mistakes. Something is going to | | | | stewardship of your resources. |
| go wrong. Plan on it! | | | | So there you have it, the 13 things you can do to |
| 5. Focus on the Short Term - Forget the long-term. | | | | stagnate the church you serve. Can't wait to see |
| In the good times, you had the luxury of planning | | | | what that formerly great church you have been |
| ahead but now, forget it. Think only about next | | | | called to serve looks like after you implement one or |
| Sunday and maybe next month if you have to. | | | | more of these 13. |
| Besides that short-term gains, if they are to be had, | | | | Good luck! |
| are the only things that count. | | | | P.S. Put a "Don't" in front of all 13 things and see |
| 6. Forget About What Bill, Rick, Ed & Andy Are | | | | what that does. |