I was recently reading about some churches that were having trouble securing enough parking spaces on Sunday mornings. This is a problem that we never have to worry about at Good News, but apparently it is an issue for churches in downtown areas of big cities. Here are two of the stories:
“When one church needed more parking, a doctor in the church offered the parking lot at his clinic two blocks away. The church leaders agreed to park there to free parking space at the church.”
“A church near Philadelphia uses stacked parking. Members volunteer to park bumper-to-bumper at the back of the lot and they wait patiently when it’s time to go home.”
Though interesting, those two stories wouldn’t have captured my attention on their own. It was this sentence that really got the gears of my mind going:
“When church members will not volunteer for some inconveniences, the church is unlikely to grow.”
THIS RINGS TRUE
That part immediately rang true in my mind. I think one of the reasons Royal Family Kids Camp and TRAC (the two camps that our church sponsors for kids in foster care) are so effective is because their volunteer rosters are filled with people who are willing to be inconvenienced for the sake of abused and neglected kids coming to know God.
I also believe that’s one of the reasons why church plants tend to reach more people with the gospel when compared to older, more established churches.
It’s crazy to even think that is true, because by all outward indicators, it shouldn’t be. The established churches usually have nice buildings, big budgets, plenty of staff, and a fleet of church vans that, in theory, ought to make their ministry more effective. However, in almost every town, there is an old church that fits that description and is slowly dying. Meanwhile, in most of those same towns, there is also a newer church right down the street that is meeting in a rented cafeteria, and it is growing like crazy.
Why is that? I don’t think that the answer is that “newer is always better.” There can definitely be an older church that is faithful to God’s mission, and a newer church that preaches heresy. However, I do think there are some behaviors that typically appear more often in newer churches than in older ones. And one of those things is the willingness of the members to be inconvenienced.
I also believe that’s one of the reasons why church plants tend to reach more people with the gospel when compared to older, more established churches.
It’s crazy to even think that is true, because by all outward indicators, it shouldn’t be. The established churches usually have nice buildings, big budgets, plenty of staff, and a fleet of church vans that, in theory, ought to make their ministry more effective. However, in almost every town, there is an old church that fits that description and is slowly dying. Meanwhile, in most of those same towns, there is also a newer church right down the street that is meeting in a rented cafeteria, and it is growing like crazy.
Why is that? I don’t think that the answer is that “newer is always better.” There can definitely be an older church that is faithful to God’s mission, and a newer church that preaches heresy. However, I do think there are some behaviors that typically appear more often in newer churches than in older ones. And one of those things is the willingness of the members to be inconvenienced.
ESTABLISHED CHURCHES VS. NEWER CHURCHES
Sometimes, after a while, a congregation can get used to doing things in a certain way. These “ways” eventually become known as “traditions.” And that is not bad. Many traditions are good. In fact, they probably wouldn’t have become a tradition if they hadn’t served some important purpose at some point! However, after some time passes, what was once known as “getting into a groove” eventually becomes “getting into a rut.” At that point, doing anything different from what has been established is an inconvenience not worth tolerating.
Meanwhile, the newer church down the street is filled with almost nothing but inconveniences. The people are having to show up early to take down all the cafeteria tables and set up rows of chairs. The band is having to haul heavy equipment because they don’t own the building. The youth ministry may have to meet in a borrowed living room somewhere, and parents might even donate the use of their minivans for the missions trip, because the church doesn’t own any.
And it’s not that those inconveniences make the ministry better; they don’t. Rather, it is the people who are willing to volunteer for such inconveniences who bring about a better ministry.
Meanwhile, the newer church down the street is filled with almost nothing but inconveniences. The people are having to show up early to take down all the cafeteria tables and set up rows of chairs. The band is having to haul heavy equipment because they don’t own the building. The youth ministry may have to meet in a borrowed living room somewhere, and parents might even donate the use of their minivans for the missions trip, because the church doesn’t own any.
And it’s not that those inconveniences make the ministry better; they don’t. Rather, it is the people who are willing to volunteer for such inconveniences who bring about a better ministry.
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?
Now, none of what I said above is specifically taught in the Bible. However, something even bigger than what I said is definitely assumed by the Bible:
Now, none of what I said above is specifically taught in the Bible. However, something even bigger than what I said is definitely assumed by the Bible:
“In fact, all those who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” ~ 2 Timothy 3:12
“Remember the earlier days when, after you had been enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings… For you sympathized with the prisoners and accepted with joy the confiscation of your possessions, knowing that you yourselves have a better and enduring possession.” ~ Hebrews 10:32 & 34
These are just two of many verses that speak about how living for Jesus brings about inconveniences in our lives. In fact, that second verse doesn’t call them inconveniences; they are called, “sufferings.” And that’s because in some situations, (such as the ones Christians were living in at the time these verses were written) being a part of Jesus’ family meant to be harassed, persecuted, or even worse. In some countries, being a part of a church means that you have to meet underground, and that you risk your life to share the gospel.
My point is that if God expected His people back then to endure sufferings for His name, then, of course, God expects us to endure some inconveniences for His name now. And, it seems to me, the people who are willing to put up with inconveniences are more effective in accomplishing God’s mission than people who are not willing to do so.
My point is that if God expected His people back then to endure sufferings for His name, then, of course, God expects us to endure some inconveniences for His name now. And, it seems to me, the people who are willing to put up with inconveniences are more effective in accomplishing God’s mission than people who are not willing to do so.
APPLICATION FOR GOOD NEWS CHURCH
So, the reason I bring this up is that I am hoping that the Christians at Good News never give up that willingness to be inconvenienced for the sake of the gospel. Whether that means you have to show up early for something, or work harder than somebody else, or give money that you could have spent on something else, or have an awkward conversation that you could have avoided, or whatever it might be.
Our church is 14 years old now, and we are at the point where it could get easy for some of us to coast on past successes. But if we want to follow Christ, we must be willing to struggle for the good of His kingdom and mission. I hope we never forget that.
So, the reason I bring this up is that I am hoping that the Christians at Good News never give up that willingness to be inconvenienced for the sake of the gospel. Whether that means you have to show up early for something, or work harder than somebody else, or give money that you could have spent on something else, or have an awkward conversation that you could have avoided, or whatever it might be.
Our church is 14 years old now, and we are at the point where it could get easy for some of us to coast on past successes. But if we want to follow Christ, we must be willing to struggle for the good of His kingdom and mission. I hope we never forget that.
