Lexington Baptist Association

ESSENTIAL CHURCH?

RECLAIMING A GENERATION OF DROPOUTS!

Authored by

Thom S. Rainer and Sam Rainer, III

Report Presented By Rev. Johnny Muller

What is an Essential Church?  Essential means having essence, something basic, of the utmost importance, something necessary, indispensable and intentional.

Introduction

Over two-thirds (70%) of churchgoing young adults are dropping out between 18-22 years of age.  Why?  What can be done?

#1 Reason: “I simply wanted a break from church.”  (27%)

            Question:  “Why do one-third stay in church?” 

       Church must be essential to their lives.

Problem:  Most churches are doing little to be essential to the lives of their

                 members, especially dropouts.

Point in Question:  God intended the church to gather for worship, prayer,

                                evangelize, disciple and minister.

Essential churches have four major components:

                        Simply – Get the structure right

                        Deepen – Get the content right

                        Expect – Get the attitude right

                        Multiply – Get the action right

Despite the growth of our nation, the SBC is baptizing no more than it did in the 1950s.  “Campaign in 54 – 1million more.”

People claim a church they do not attend regularly.  CIA World Factbook reports 52% attends a Protestant Church, only 28% in the United States. 

Spread between church membership and church attendance is widening drastically each year.  From 1900-2004, US population grew by 18% - Church attendance declined by 3% during same period. 

#2 Reason:  “I just didn’t want to wait around to serve.”

            Church losing the generational battle and presently not reaching our own children

-       biological growth decline.

SEVEN SINS OF A DYING CHURCH

1.     Doctrine Dilution

One young adult said, “If there was a church out there that was real, upfront and in-your-face about what life is really about, I would join it; we want answers!”

2.     Loss of Evangelistic Passion, Enthusiasm and Zeal

Dying churches “Stop” speaking about Christ to their family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, etc.

3.     Failure to be Relevant

Is the message of your church relevant to the community?

4.     Few outwardly focused ministries

“The frozen chosen – us few and, we don’t want any more….”

5.     Conflict over personal preferences.

Personal Preference negates the Great Commission everytime.

Church is not about you – but the Great Commission!!!

Worship is not about you – but God!!!

6.     The Priority of comfort

“This is the way we’ve always done it” or

“We’ve Never Done It This Way Before” Failure to change

7.     Biblical Illiteracy

2 Timothy 2:15 “Study to show thyself…”  Pew illiterates

The neglect of deep theological preaching and teaching.

FIVE GROUPS OF PEOPLE

            Dropouts – left the church

            Dechurched – once part of fellowship but deconnected

            Unchurched – never connected to a church

            Outsider – do not attend/have no connection

            Rechurched – once unchurched/now returned to church

NOTE:  Essential Churches major on the majors and minor on the minors.  Sometimes

  that means the church must slay the “Sacred Cow” to grow, reach the lost and

  their community.  80% of North American churches are stagnant/declining. 

  Take a serious look at your church’s ACP Report.

CHAPTER 1

My Faith is Not My Parents’ Faith 

(Old Saying:  This is not your father’s Oldsmobile.)

1.  The Myth of Freedom – “I want out to do my thing…”
2.  Not losing My Religion – Converted but not discipled.

NOTE:  The dropouts are not mad with the church or leaders.

3. A Return to the Basics – High correlation exists between spiritually and  

happiness.  Hebrews 10:25

NOTE:  The glue that holds them to church is the saving and living grace of Jesus Christ.

              Ephesians 2:8-9; 5:31-33

4. These dropouts are wanting/ready for reality. 
5. Set the bar high, demand/expect excellence.
6. An Essential Church battles the dark powers for the hearts and minds of the

lost and its members.

7. The Pastor of an Essential Church plays a critical role.

Sermons were engaging 65% - those who stayed.

Sermons were relevant 63% - those who stayed.

8. The need to be authentic – they can recognize a “fake” a mile away and do not

tolerate incompetence.

CHAPTER 2

Looking for a Different Kind of Community

1. Churches that become the focus of their community have it built into their DNA –

Who/What they are about.

2. Outwardly focused churches are the “Healthiest” and “Essential” to their

community.

3. Major on reaching, relating, engaging and assimilating into the body life of the

church.

NOTE:  If the ministry/program does not meet that criteria, it is a “Dead Cow” –

              The church must abandon it.

4. Maintaining the “status Quo” – “Business as Usual” attitude does not engage

this generation.

5. Church Swapping/Swapping Sheep doesn’t solve problem.
6. Become an anchor for your community – members.
7. The tired Battle over Worship Style – get beyond it.
8. Allow Loitering – Let them come and build relationships.

NOTE:  Essential Churches create an essential community where the essential life

              changing truth of Jesus is lived out and experienced in the members’ lives.

CHAPTER 3

That’s Life!  It Changes.

Top Ten Life Changes that Cause People to Drop Out of Church

1.     Simply wanted a break from church

2.     Moved away

3.     Change in work responsibilities

4.     Moved too far to continue attending regularly

5.     Too Busy, though still wanted to attend

6.     Spending more time with friends outside of church

7.     School/work took up my time

8.     Wanted to make a life decision not accepted by the church

9.     Family/Home responsibilities hindered them

10.  Just lost touch with their churchgoing friends

NOTE:  Essential Churches cope with changes inside and outside – does not write people

              off – sees them as “Reclaimable”.

NOTE:  It should be harder to leave a church than join a church.  The atmosphere, culture

             and DNA of the church is critical to preventing dropouts from the church.

      Question:  How does your church respond in times of a member’s crisis?

                        Do you send a “flower” or a “person”?

NOTE:  The church that maintains the attitude of, “It builds character – I had to do it,

              too, and survived – you can do it, you’ll survive and you’ll be fine,” will most

              certainly not reach the dropouts.  That church will become unimportant!

NOTE:  Dropouts become connected again through service, giving, and mission outreach

              Involvement especially to other dropouts.

CHAPTER 4

A New Spin on Hypocrisy

     1.   The parent trap – starts in the home parents!  Doing church, “what we were 

            taught” is not enough for them – Children see, Children do!  Monkey see!!!

2. Parents doing but saying/talking little about their faith involvement in their

Lives with their children.

3. The hypocrisy of prayerlessness in churches.
4. Hear about the Fruit of the Spirit – Not lived out before them.
5. Church’s battle is not against the culture.  Ephesians 6:12

NOTE:  Church is blaming the culture – hypocrisy of the church!

CHAPTER 5

All Eyes on the Main Man

1. 58% left the church because of church related – pastor related issues. 

How sad – but true!!!

2. They want their leaders to shape/mold their lives.
3. The church takes on the characteristics of its leaders – particularly the

Pastor – deacons – teachers, etc.!

NOTE:  This is the “Show Me” generation.  Churches need to recognize that!

4. Congressman William Duncan Vandiver 1899 – “I’m from Missouri!  You have

       to show me.”

5. Pastors of Essential Churches slowly infuse the DNA of importance, relevance,

appeal and welcoming ambiance.

6. They must contextualize the unchanging message of hope or the pews will

become grayer, older and emptier.

NOTE:  Present research shows that 6 out of 10 (over age 35) will not consider returning

              to church.  40% Will!!!  Get them!!!

Factors that will Bring them Back

1. Servant leadership – caring, authentic, real, welcoming, inspirational services of

worship and fellowship.

2. Recognize the walls your church has built – demolition may be necessary –

“Just do it” if needed!

3. Preaching is still very important to them – relational!
4. Do ministry with excellence and reality of truth.
5. Be a real “Shepherd” – they are looking for a Pastor who cares.

NOTE:  This generation desires/craves a relationship with the pastor, the church – they

              want to be loved – they need love.

Why They Left the Church

1.     Poor leadership in all areas

2.     Lack of authenticity in members’ lives

3.     Church has not reached out to them in crisis times.

4.     Church offers them nothing at this stage in their lives.

5.     They do not leave because they have abandoned their faith – but because their faith isn’t being challenged.

CHAPTER 6

The Essential Church and the Back Door

Question:  How do we stop the bleeding?  Takes tough measures!

1.     The problem of complexity instead of Simplicity – Simplify!

2.     Essential Churches connect people to ministry – Non-Essential Churches

              assume it will just happen for them.

       3.   Essential churches do not separate evangelism from discipleship – Jesus said,

              “…make disciples…” Matthew 28:19-20

4.     Essential Churches deepen their theological preaching/teaching.

5.     Essential Churches move from low to high level expectations.

6.     Essential Churches focus on Multiplication of disciples.

7.     Essential Churches focus on people – not programs.

CHAPTER 7

Simply:  Getting the Structure Right

1.     Simple Church Step 1 – Clarity of Purpose

Love God – Love Others – Serve the World must be woven into the leadership

culture/fabric of the church.

2.     Simple Church Step 2 – Movement, always forward Movement is strategic and

sequential – They are Intentional!

3.     Simple Church Step 3 – Alignment, getting in step.   Unity is an absolute!

John 17:21 “…be one, as we are…”  

Complexity in all areas is Removed/Simplified

NOTE:  Constitution and Bylaws may hinder a church’s mission.

4.     Simple Church Step 4 – Focus on what is important

Elimination of what’s not necessary to focus on what is real and needed for the

church to fulfill the Great Commission.

NOTE:  Saying “No” is always easier than “eliminating” it after it’s etched in granite –

              Remember that!!!

CHAPTER 8

Deepen:  Getting the Content Right

1.     Become relevant and deepen doctrinally.

2.     Allow God’s Word to become a life anchor.

3.     Deal with the issues of hypocrisy from the pew to the pulpit/pulpit to pew.

4.     Remember – Leadership does matter in pew and pulpit.

5.     Pastors must be prepared with heart/life challenging messages – preaching is a

sacred event for them.

6.     Make the Bible come alive and relevant to their lives.

7.     Deep preaching is normative in an Essential Church.

8.     Lead the members toward regular life essential Bible Study – Check out

“Who’s” teaching and teaching “What”.

9.     Remember Essential Churches are high expectation churches.

CHAPTER 9

Expect:  Getting the Attitude Right

1.     Expectations of members are clarified and evaluated along the journey.

Tale of Two Churches: one with high expectations – one without any expectations.

2.     Ensure and make church a vital part of their relationship with God.

3.     Ensure they understand who they are as members of the church and their

community.

4.     Ensure that the church plays a vital role in their life decisions and commitments.

5.     Ensure they understand their commitment to the purpose and work of the church is an absolute.

6.     Ensure they understand that activity does not substitute for an obedient committed life style.

7.     Ensure that the church seizes the opportunity to minister to them in their difficult life experiences.

8.     Develop a simple but concise “Mission/Purpose” Statement centered on:

Worship the one true God – Connect with other Believers – Grow Deeper –

Reach out to the world.

Question:  What are they looking for in a church:  

                  A church that makes a difference in their lives.

                  A church that makes a difference in the community.

                  A church where they can make a difference.

CHAPTER 10

Multiply:  Getting the Action Right

1.     A structure that can be understood and embraced by all.

2.     A deeper understanding of Biblical Truths expoused.

3.     A Higher Level of Expectation from its members.

4.     A desire to multiply beyond the walls of their own fellowship into the community/world.

5.     Understanding the power of an invitation – remember 40% will return – 4 out of 10 said, “If they were invited.”

6.     Essential Churches reach the Unchurched.

NOTE:   The unchurched are most attracted to churches that hold a high view of

               Scripture that taught matters of Biblical depth and were relevant to their lives.

7.     The word that best describes an Essential Church is:  “Intentional” – Is your 

      church an Intentional Church?

8.     The main man (Pastor) must have a multiplying heart to reach others and lead forward in this.

NOTE:  Lead your church to something so great that it will be a certain failure unless

              God is in it.  Here are their answers:

              “I simply felt a desire to return.”  34%

              “I felt God calling me to return to church.”  28%

              “I felt convicted of the need to return to church.”  16%

They are looking for Essential Churches –

May God make it so in your church is my prayer for every one of you.