The DNA Update for United Methodists, Mid-January 2016 - DNA Coaching - Dr. Don Nations of Sarasota, Florida, United States for Wednesday, 20 Janary 2016
The DNA Update for United Methodists - Dr. Don Nations, Mid-January 2016
In This Issue:
- But Can It Really Grow?
- Capture and Celebrate
Declining worship attendance. This is a reality facing the majority of churches in the US. Many members of these churches wonder if it is even possible for a church in their community to grow. So many younger people are not going to church. There are so many activities competing for the attention, time and loyalty of people today. Do our churches have a future?
I cannot answer definitively for your community but let me share a little about mine. I live in a mid-size town in a mid-size county. The average age of residents is above the national average as we are known as a great place for retirees. There is some real affluence but half of our public school children receive free or reduced cost lunch. The community is slowly growing and we have a LOT of churches. Most of our mainline churches are in decline with a couple larger churches bucking this trend.
Let me briefly tell you about three churches in our community, however. The first was running 30 in worship attendance. I got to work with them and the church doubled every year for three years until it was averaging 240. The second church was running 1500 in worship. It has added about 100 in worship for several years in a row. The third is about to celebrate its 4th anniversary, averages 400 and is filled with young adults and small children.
Can a church really grow in my community? The answer is yes. Even though most churches are declining there are some which are reaching new people and making new disciples of Jesus Christ. This should give each church hope. Growth is possible. It may take doing new things in new ways but it can happen. It may mean partnering with another congregation, working with a consultant or other significant changes but the potential is there. Are you ready to do what it takes to reach more people?
Capture and Celebrate
How do you capture and celebrate the positive things which are happening at your church? How do you let other people know what is happening at your church? How do you help your people share the good news with their friends and neighbors?
One way to do this is to make videos. These can then be shown in church, placed on your website and displayed on your Facebook page. The following are just four examples of these kinds of videos. They include one about a great outreach event, one about lives which were changed in the congregation, one which provides a year-end recap and one which helps potential guests have a better idea of what to expect when they come. These were not produced by megachurches nor did they cost very much money. These are within the grasp of those within your congregation or can be produced for a small fee by someone outside of the congregation.
- https://www.facebook.com/TheShoreChurch/videos/890477487705305/
- https://www.facebook.com/TheShoreChurch/videos/793916080694780/
- https://www.facebook.com/TheShoreChurch/videos/757498777669844/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFrkyXrJya4&feature=youtu.be
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/DNACoaching
Twitter - @DNACoaching
Linkedin – Don Nations
DNA Coaching: http://www.dnacoaching.com
Email Don: mailto:don@dnacoaching.com
Our mailing address is:
DNA Coaching
6339 Sturbridge Court
Sarasota, Florida 34238, United States
---------------------
---------------------
No comments:
Post a Comment