Churches don’t change. In fact most churches avoid changing at all cost, even if it means not growing. It’s so bad that I’ve seen churches choose to close their doors over choosing to change. Below are six common reasons I’ve observed why churches choose not to change. One of these might be why your church won’t change.
Procrastination
Churches find themselves talking about the same issues they’ve been talking about for years. Instead of making decisions and doing the hard work of dealing with those issues, they’re sitting around waiting on a silver-bullet, innovative idea that will never come but if it did it would magically solve all of their problems.
Structure
Churches don’t change because their structure won’t allow it. They can’t make decisions in a timely manner because there are too many boards, committees, polity to wade through and church votes to take to actually do anything.
Focus
Churches are more focused on taking care of the sheep then they are inviting new people to the family. They make decisions based on who they are trying to keep rather than who they’re trying to reach.
Desire
Churches don’t want to change. They like things the way they are. They like knowing everyone at church, they like singing the same songs, they like the warm blanket and safety and security of knowing what to expect. In a world that is constantly changing around them they pride themselves on never changing.
Money
Churches don’t change because of money. If they really did change then the people who are funding the church might leave and stop giving. So they keep things the way they are.
Fear
Churches are afraid of leading through change. The tough thing about leadership is that eventually you have to lead. It takes real courage to receive criticism, some of it fanatical in a church setting and keep moving in the direction the Lord has asked you to go.
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