Hey, Church! What Do You Want from Us?
According to the Harvard Business Review, a key component of effective organizations and their leadership is being clear about expectations.
This is a problem in the Church today. What is expected of us?
If this is not clear, congregations end up defending initiatives after the fact. In the world of Church, where people like things to be nice and tidy, this creates messes that can take years to clean up. Meanwhile, congregations struggle and may even be forced to close.
Constitutions and founding documents (articles of incorporation) spell out the rules. A lot of people worked hard on these documents. When they are ignored for years, enforcing them becomes problematic. Expediency becomes the guide. Church leaders follow blindly. Bad precedents are indelibly impressed. People who point out Church rules are viewed as “trouble makers.”
Courts don’t want to deal with Church issues, which creates a lawlessness in God’s kingdom. No one wants to shoulder responsibility. Lay people are likely to suffer dearly—not good for long-term church-building!
What do we expect of church members? What do we expect of church leaders?
- Have we properly trained those who are born into our community? The lack of Sunday School programs and Vacation Church Schools and scarcity of youth in the church suggest not.
- Do those who join our fellowship as adults know what church membership means?
- Are pastoral candidates trained in Church government?
- Are our ruling documents a list of options from which to pick and choose?
Sometimes church leaders are so hungry for numbers and eager to appear accepting hat they fail to take the time to teach.
One pastor routinely responded to parents requesting the baptism of a newborn with a simple, “Just call the church secretary and schedule it.” He was offended when church leaders suggested that this was an opportunity to meet with members and further their faith commitment.
Sometimes pastors don’t understand church protocol. It is problematic to have to haul out a constitution in front of new members when an issue arises.
A pastor who had ben recently called to serve a congregation announced at worship that he had accepted a group of new members during the week that no one in the church had ever met. When church leaders pointed to the constitutional requirement that new members be accepted by the council, there was a hurtful uproar. The pastor stormed that he had never heard of such a requirement—even though it is a standard clause in the denomination’s model constitution. Result: The new people felt unwelcome. The church leaders felt disrespected and were criticized long-term by the denomination for “making trouble.” Leaders became suspicious of their new pastor, whose ability to lead suffered immeasurably.
Everyone expressing an interest in joining a church must understand what is expected of them. If not, you may discover that their understanding of faith may not be your congregation’s understanding and you will have voting members who are unqualified to be making decisions. Trouble with a capital “T.”
Classes for new members are important.
All church members must be occasionally reminded of why the Church is the Church. Have a handbook that spells out what church membership means. Place it in the hands of every new member. Have copies available in the back of the church. Distribute them at Annual Meetings—every year!
Here is the Membership Handbook Redeemer provided to all new members along with a copy of the congregation’s constitution.