Part 1: Renewal - the most important part of a growing church

By Moabi Pitsi

Renewal - the most important part of a growing church

 If your church is not renewing itself - it is planning to die. This is my observation. From Genesis to Revelations, various characters have shown the power of impacting generations through renewal, especially of the self. Isaiah 40: 30-31 rightly states "Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint"

Challenges faced by different churches are the same

 This is so true. After more than 10 years at the helm of youth leadership within the Lutheran Church, I have witnessed a growing number of young people leaving the church. I can assume that challenges faced by one church are the same challenges faced by another.

I became involved in youth leadership at the Lefika Lutheran Church in South African (Pretoria, Mabopane) in 1998. Since then, God has assisted my vision, and the vision of many other young people I worked with, to be ignited consistently to seek ways of winning others for Christ. This has never been an easy journey. I have witnessed a growing number of young people leaving the church. I have seen us win more people for Christ. I have seen awakening of a new sense of vision and believe in the word of our Lord and Saviour.

The pleasing thing however is that some of these young people still remain within church circles while other hop from one church to another - searching for a "spiritual home" to belong to. I have also noticed that one church's challenge is a challenge to another, and one church's solution is a solution to another. My observation in various capacities has largely hinted the following:

    * lack of flexibility within the church - young people a increasingly getting tired with church old traditions that are man-made

    * view on young people as "young and inexperienced" - often, one has witnessed how young people feel that they view as the church of tomorrow, instead of the church of now

    * succession planning - the rotational system of pastor with no succession plan hampers progress and development within the church

    * aging pastors - young people within the church have no interest in becoming change agents and thus enrol and use their God-given talents to serve, observe and learn in the Kingdom of God. Thus aging pastors have limited pastures to mentors

    * generational Gap - there is an increasing need to bridge the generation gap between the young and old, amongst the old themselves and the young themselves

    * professionalising the youth ministry - there is growing need to professionalise the youth ministry and not look at it as an add-on

Generally, the following solutions have or may assist in renewing the church (not the building, but people):

Develop vision: Vision is the root of all progress. Proverbs 29:18 confirms the truth that "Where there is no vision, the people perish". Vision enables navigation in tough times. Its provides energy when the going gets tough. So the vision must be written, referred to and and adjusted when a need arise.

Get priorities right: Successful churches and individuals, have mastered the art of putting first things first. In renewing ourselves and automatically our church, we need to ask the question, what are the most important things?We must also answer this question by deeds.

God works with teams: Jesus had his disciples. So each disciple needs another. You must work together to make the changes you require. You must prayer together to reconnect with the source of your power. In all things, work together.

Marketing and Communication is vital: In church in modern times should be able to use all its resources, available technology, etc to reach out. Marketing and Communication will also ensure consistency in promoting single-mindedness in message and in vision

Maintain Club/members relations: it is vital to keep in touch with all members of the congregation or local church. Maintain consistency in prayer/cell meetings; women's and men's forum, etc.

Use various ministries: To make the greatest impact on a congregation, it is vital to make sure that the music, outreach, prayer ministries come to life

Be relevant: Understanding the walks of life of the congregation is important. Through spiritual eyes, God also guides us to impact on the lives of people around us - that is if we are willing to observe, learn and serve. God will provide us with solutions relevant to the lives of others.