Here’s Part 2 of 4 posts (click here for Part 1) by Dr. Donald E. Ross, Nelson Searcy Coaching Alum and Lead Pastor of Creekside Church (Mountlake Terrace, WA).

Issue #3: Leadership.
If you’re leading a turn-around church, you must be able to paint a constant verbal picture of your church’s preferred future, based in reality.  You’re probably the only one who sees it, and that picture may be foggy to you.  Nevertheless, there is a God-given picture, and you must hold on to it relentlessly.

Max De Pree says, “The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality.”  The pastor of a turn-around church needs the skill to tell the truth without discouraging their flock.  His ability to encourage, recognize any progress and chart a manageable course is critical.

Issue #4: Pain.
The turn-around pastor will endure pain.  That pain is often the emotional pain of rejection.  The old saying, “No pain, no gain” could not be more applicable here.

Let me be painfully honest here.  If the current way of doing things at your church fine, it wouldn’t need to turn-around.  People own and do these “things”, so in order to change the way things are done, the people must change.  Either they change internally or they are changed and new people do those things.  This is incredibly painful for both pastor and people, but critically necessary to understand.

Imagine telling a faithful member, they need to change their way of leading a class or ministry.  They may feel driven away by the pastor.   It’s an emotional minefield and someone is going to get hurt, and it’s probably you.

The upside of pain is that it will not last forever and what grows out of pain is real ministry.  Pain causes you to lay down your life for the mission of Christ, one moment at a time and God will give you grace to endure.  You only experience the deep settled peace and grace of God during seasons of deep struggle.

I recall during my turn-around experience, my board decided to meet secretly in my absence to review my leadership.  Half were loyal and half were not, and I was 3000 miles away teaching when I found out.

That night I read Acts 27. I was in a storm just like Paul.  Jesus protected me and what came out of that time was an increased ability to trust Jesus to take care of His church and me.  Great challenges produce great victories.

Issue #5: Urgency.
Urgency is the adrenaline of a turn-around church.  Without it change cannot be made.  Too much urgency and the church will become discouraged and give up.  To little urgency and no change will happen.

John Kotter said, “Instilling urgency is critical to getting organizations to switch directions; arguing the case using facts alone won’t create that urgency.”

Most pastors are unwilling to inject urgency into the system because it will require painful decisions, but there is no other way.  You can’t “nice guy” your way out of decline in a turn around church.

Someone has to say, “This ship is sinking!” and pastor that’s you!  Urgency buys you permission to lead and make the needed changes.

Simply mentioning that the back half of the ship is having a few problems won’t get you what you need.  You’re going to have to declare a state of emergency.  Once you’ve done that you’ll see that urgency is your friend to help reverse the trend.  Only the truth will set your church free.

For information on the Turn Around Church Coaching Network,
see www.TurnAroundChurch.org

P.S. For a package of resources to help you evaluate and improve the Systems of your church, check out The Systems Seminars Package.

As you might imagine, I get a lot of questions from pastors who are facing all sorts of ministry situations.  That’s one of the reasons I write this blog – to provide some answers when you’re not sure of your next steps.

However, there are some issues that I haven’t faced personally or otherwise don’t feel as well-equipped to write about, and for those I like to connect you with guest bloggers who can speak to those issues.

Today’s issue is Church Revitalization (or Turn-Around Churches), and I’ve asked Don Ross to share a series of posts about the topic.  Don is a Coaching Alum and the Lead Pastor of Creekside Church in the Seattle, Washington Area.

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO LEAD A TURN-AROUND CHURCH?
(Part 1 of 4)
by Dr. Donald E. Ross

What is a Turn-Around Church?
Turn-Around Churches experience a decline nearly impossible to reverse, but they do.  Most churches in similar situations simply go out of business.  What are the critical aspects of a church and pastor that see terminal decline turned into growth?

Let’s define a turn-around church.  A turn-around church has recognized that, due to consistent decline, within a decade it will be out of business.  This church has courageously decided to face the truth and make a series of extremely difficult and painful decisions to reverse that trend.

Issue #1: Mission.
I’d like to say that “Everything rises or falls on mission” but I think someone has already captured that sentiment.  Regardless, mission is critical.  Knowing that the leader and church are part of the Christ’s mission helps them embrace a turn-around.

Mission says, “This is not about me, it’s about Jesus”.  In America, nearly 4000 churches each year go out of business, and we are not planting nearly enough churches to replace them.  Now we can see why turning around declining churches, and planting new ones are all a part of Christ’s mission.

In many ways, the challenge of a turn-around church was written for us 2000 years ago in Revelation, 3:1-3.

“To the angel of the church in Sardis write:

These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. ²Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God. ³Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.

Most declining churches once had a reputation of being alive, but it is not alive now.  It’s on life support and needs help.

Both the pastor and church leaders need to work together to “Strengthen what remains and is about to die.”  This is hard work, but possible and needed, if the leaders and church are willing to pay the price to not only survive, but also learn to thrive.

Issue #2: Vision.
This turn-around is usually lead by a visionary leader, often brought in from outside the church’s current culture.  The value of bringing in a new leader is that they are not stuck in the current thinking trends or bogged down by the church’s history.

The challenge of a new visionary leader is they must earn the right to lead a group of people, almost all of whom are stuck in current thinking trends and severely bogged by down the church’s history.

As one pastor put it, “God has called you to lead people to a place they don’t want to go, in a way they are uncomfortable with, following a leader they barely know.”  Who would sign up for that job?  You?

If you’re already living this scenario, Jesus will not leave you alone.  It’s His church and you’re His servant.  You can count on him to lead you through.

Click Here to Read Part 2.

For information on Don’s Turn Around Church Coaching Network,
see www.TurnAroundChurch.Org

P.S. For a package of resources to help you evaluate and improve the Systems of your church, check out The Systems Seminars Package.

Recently I did a series of posts on the Top Three Growth Barriers that all churches face, regardless of size (click here to read), and from the feedback I’ve received it was helpful to many of you.

One question that I have gotten (and often get at live events about this) is about SPACE, the top growth barrier:

“Is there such thing as a ‘too much space’ barrier?”

In other words, while the lack of adequate worship space is an obvious limiting factor, is it possible that having too large of a space for too few people can limit your church’s growth as well?

And the answer is Yes, but…

Yes, too much space can hinder growth, but only in relatively extreme cases.  Keep in mind that most people feel most comfortable in a room that’s 40-50% full.

However, when you are facing this situation (let’s say: 100 people meeting in an 800-seat school auditorium):

1) People get so spread out that they feel awkward (and lose the “corporate worship” feeling)

2) The room loses “energy” – even a Big Day can feel small if the room is too big

3) Your church can appear disconnected from reality

But there’s good news:

It’s much easier to make a large space feel small than it is to find or build more space.

With strategic use of pipe and drape, folding room dividers or seat covers, you can effectively “shrink the space” of an over-sized room to fit a crowd of just about any size.

One company we’ve used to help us make a large space feel smaller is:

http://www.GeorgiaExpo.com

They provide pipe and drape (like what’s used at conventions and trade shows) that works great to make a cavernous space feel more cozy.

Whatever method(s) you decide to use, be sure that they’re easily adjustable — because as your church grows, you need the flexibility to keep opening up more and more seats.

Have a great week!

P.S. To learn the nine most common growth barriers that churches of all sizes face AND the tools to break through them, check out The Breaking Growth Barriers Workshop – A live recording of my popular six-hour workshop.  It’s available for Immediate Download or as a 5-CD Set.

Today I want to wrap up a series of posts about the Top 3 Growth Barriers that all churches face, regardless of size.

As a quick reminder, I’ll be teaching this (and a lot more) LIVE in Seattle today, then San Francisco and Los Angeles this week – click here for more info.

But for those of you who can’t make it, you can catch the first two posts in this series here and here.

The third of the Top 3 Growth Barriers is:

SHARING

Another way to describe this barrier is Reaching New People (also known as Evangelism).

I wrote a recent post about the Pastor’s role in Evangelism (click here to read), but I can’t overstate the face that Evangelistic Churches are led by Evangelistic Leaders.

Once you’ve made sure that you are not your church’s limiting factor when it comes to Reaching New People, how can you break through the Sharing barrier?

Here’s a great step:

Challenge every person in your church to share with 3 people.

You can use a small, practical card (sometimes called an “Influence Card” or an “Impact Card”) where you encourage your people to write the names of at least  three unchurched people that they will:

• Commit to pray for
• Share their verbal testimony
• Seek to invite to your church

Will every person in your church share with three people?  Unfortunately, no, but by challenging them and giving them the tools, you can get 20% of your weekly attenders (or more) doing some type of sharing!

And that’s going to put your church on the right track to breaking the Sharing barrier.

So, how many people are committing their life to Christ each week at your church?  Each month?  Over the last year?

P.S. If you’re passionate about doing everything you can to Reach New People, you are probably a good fit for my new Senior Pastor Tele-Coaching Network!

It starts NEXT THURSDAY and it’s over 75% full, but I have room for a few more if you Apply Now. For all the information and to Apply Now, visit:

www.ChurchLeaderInsights.com/telecoaching

Can you meet me in Seattle, San Francisco or Los Angeles next week for one of three FREE Live Events I’m doing for Senior Pastors?

Seattle, WA Area
Tuesday, August 10

San Francisco/Oakland Area
Wednesday, August 11

Los Angeles, CA Area
Thursday, August 12

We have a great group signed up already, but we still have room for you (and your Worship Leader – more about that later).

There’s no time to waste though, these events are next week!

I will be leading The Top 3 Growth Barriers Workshop for Senior Pastors – here’s what you’ll learn:

• What is keeping your church from growing the way God desires
• How to identify and break the three most common barriers blocking your church’s growth
• Pouring the foundation for solid growth in the future
• Specific coaching on these growth barriers
• The tools you need to break through these barriers
• Plus much more!

Here are the links where you can Register Now (in 5 minutes or less):

P.S. While you’re registering yourself for one of these Top 3 Growth Barriers Events, don’t forget to sign up your Worship Leader for the companion event led by Jason Hatley (same time, same place)!

Again, all these events are free with RSVP – don’t miss out!

Click here for Seattle Area on Tuesday, August 10

Click here for San Francisco/Oakland Area on Wednesday, August 11

Click here for Los Angeles Area on Thursday, August 12

Yesterday I shared the first of the top three Growth Barriers that all churches face, regardless of size (click here for that post).

The second barrier to growth in your church is:

SELF-DEVELOPMENT

The best definition of Self-Development that I’ve found is the combination of Leadership Ability and Spiritual Maturity.

Ken Blanchard describes this concept when he says that a leader should develop their:

• Heart – Spiritual Maturity
• Habits – Personal Growth
• Hands – Key Skills
• Head – Education & Intelligence

And here’s why this is so important… When a pastor isn’t growing:

• The church stops growing
• The sermons are stale
• The passion for ministry wanes

So, Pastor, can you relate to any of the above symptoms?

If so (or if you just want to be sure that you don’t experience those symptoms), here’s my question for you this morning:

What is your intentional plan for self-development?

- What Books do you plan to read over the next year?

- What Audio Recordings do you plan to listen to?

- What Seminars and Conferences are you going to attend?

- What Coaching Network are you going to participate in?

Here’s a challenging prayer to pray to avoid “being” the barrier to growth at your church:

God make me into the person I need to be to lead this church at twice its size!

P.S. If you’re ready to cooperate with God in answering that prayer, you might be a good fit for my new Senior Pastor Tele-Coaching Network!

It starts two weeks from today and it’s almost full, but I have room for a few more if you Apply Now.  For all the information and to Apply Now, visit:

www.ChurchLeaderInsights.com/telecoaching

I’m in Jacksonville this morning – in the middle of the “Top 3 Growth Barriers Tour.”

I’ve been traveling the country doing a series of “Senior Pastors Only” training events on the Top 3 Growth Barriers that every church faces, regardless of size.  I will be out on the West Coast next week – click here for more info.

But I realize that, no matter how many events I can squeeze into these few weeks, some of you won’t be able to make it – so I’m going to give you a sneak peek at the Top 3 Growth Barriers over the next week right here on the blog.

The first, most common Growth Barrier that every church faces is….

SPACE

I can hear some of you right now… Space?  Is it really that simple?

Think about it – If you don’t have enough space for new people in your church’s worship center, then it’s going to be tough to keep growing.

The question becomes, how full is “too full?”

Well, in coaching over 800 pastors in all sorts of states, styles and settings, I’ve found that when a room is 70% full, it’s full!

A room that is 70% full feels full – think about the last time you visited a movie theater…

And when it comes to your church, when the room is full people:

• Stop inviting friends
• Stop talking to guests
• Stop attending regularly

So, is space a barrier to your church’s growth?

What is 70% of your maximum seating capacity?

Here are a couple of questions to think about when it comes to the Space barrier:

• What if twice as many people showed up to your church on Sunday?
• What would you have to do to accommodate twice as many people?

P.S. To learn more about all 9 of the most common growth barriers that all churches face, regardless of size, check out The Breaking Growth Barriers Workshop.

Can you meet me in Jacksonville, Florida next Wednesday for a FREE Live Event I’m doing for Senior Pastors?

Jacksonville, Florida on Wednesday, August 4th

We have a great group signed up already, but we still have room for you (and your Worship Leader – more about that later).

There’s no time to waste though, this event is only 6 days away!

I will be leading The Top 3 Growth Barriers Workshop for Senior Pastors – here’s what you’ll learn:

• What is keeping your church from growing the way God desires
• How to identify and break the three most common barriers blocking your church’s growth
• Pouring the foundation for solid growth in the future
• Specific coaching on these growth barriers
• The tools you need to break through these barriers
• Plus much more!

Here’s the link where you can Register Now (in 5 minutes or less):

Wednesday, August 4 9:00am – 12:00noon Hosted By: Chets Creek Church 4420 Hodges Boulevard Jacksonville, FL For Senior Pastors and Worship Leaders.

P.S. While you’re registering yourself for the Top 3 Growth Barriers event, don’t forget to sign up your Worship Leader for the companion event led by Jason Hatley (same day, time and location)!

Again, both of these events are free – don’t miss this chance to train yourself and your Worship Leader in one day!

Click here to Join Me in Jacksonville on Wednesday, August 4

Can you meet me in Cincinnati, Cleveland or Buffalo next week for one of three FREE Live Events I’m doing for Senior Pastors?

Cincinnati, OH Area on Tuesday, July 27
Cleveland, OH Area on Wednesday, July 28
Buffalo/Rochester, NY Area on Thursday, July 29

We have a great group signed up already, but we still have room for you (and your Executive/Associate Pastor and Worship Leader – more about that later).

There’s no time to waste though, these events are next week!

I will be leading The Top 3 Growth Barriers Workshop for Senior Pastors – here’s what you’ll learn:

• What is keeping your church from growing the way God desires
• How to identify and break the three most common barriers blocking your church’s growth
• Pouring the foundation for solid growth in the future
• Specific coaching on these growth barriers
• The tools you need to break through these barriers
• Plus much more!

Here are the links where you can Register Now (in 5 minutes or less):

P.S. While you’re registering yourself for one of these Top 3 Growth Barriers Events, don’t forget to sign up your Executive/Associate Pastor and Worship Leader for the companion events led by Kerrick Thomas and Jason Hatley!

Again, all these events are free – don’t miss this chance to TRAIN YOUR ENTIRE STAFF IN ONE DAY!

Click here for Cincinnati Area on Tuesday, July 27

Click here for Cleveland Area on Wednesday, July 28

Click here for Buffalo/Rochester Area on Thursday, July 29

Hey Pastor –

Can you meet me in Virginia or DC next week for a couple of FREE Live Events I’m doing exclusively for Senior Pastors?

Chesapeake/Norfolk, VA Area on Wednesday, July 21
DC/Northern Virginia Area on Thursday, July 22

I’m pumped – we already have a great group signed up, but we still have room for you (and your Executive/Associate Pastor and Worship Leader – more about that later).

There’s no time to waste though, these events are less than a week away!

I will be leading The Top 3 Growth Barriers Workshop for Senior Pastors – here’s what I’ll be teaching you:

• What is keeping your church from growing the way God desires
• How to identify and break the three most common barriers blocking your church’s growth
• Pouring the foundation for solid growth in the future
• Specific coaching on these growth barriers
• The tools you need to break through these barriers
• Plus much more!

Here are the links where you can Register Now (in 5 minutes or less):

P.S. While you’re registering yourself for one of these Top 3 Growth Barriers Events, don’t forget to sign up your Executive/Associate Pastor and Worship Leader for the companion events led by Kerrick Thomas and Jason Hatley!

Again, all these events are free – don’t miss this chance to TRAIN YOUR ENTIRE STAFF IN ONE DAY!

Click here for Chesapeake/Norfolk Area on Wednesday, July 21

Click here for DC/Northern Virginia Area on Thursday, July 22