As I ended the last entry, I mentioned my granddaughter. Actually, I have 3 grandchildren: 2 boys and 1 girl. They are probably the most handsome, beautiful, smart, intelligent, thoughtful, and loving children. And did I mention smart?

I don't get to be with them nearly as much as I would like. My grandsons live in Omaha, Neb. while my granddaughter lives in Wheaton, Ill. But I see them as often as I can. And one of the things that EJ and I are concerned about when we see them is whether or not they have grown. I want their parents to be very sure they see the doctor on a regular basis for checkups including their growth rate. I want to be sure they are healthy and growing. And if they are not growing, is something wrong? That is important to me and to their parents, too, I am sure.

It is interesting that every living thing in God's creation grows in some form or fashion. If there are the required environmental elements, and if they are healthy, they grow. This growth leads to maturity that in turn leads to reproduction. Funny how that works. And everything grows after its own kind. For example, a seed of corn doesn't grow apples.

I've been thinking about all of this in relation to our churches. Since the church is a living organism created by God, should we not also expect to see growth? As a denomination we have spent some capital on trying to determine whether or not our churches are healthy. Over the years we've had all type of programs aimed at assessment of and perscriptions for our churches to become healthy and growing. But the sad fact remains that far too many of our churches have not grown. Let me try stating it this way -- if a church is healthy then the natural result that one might expect to see is growth and reproduction. Furthermore, if there is not growth and reproduction then that is an indication of an unhealthy church.

Boy, I can hear the howls of protest already. They say things like, "How do you measure growth?" "You're just interested in numbers?" "There are some things more inportant that growing numerically!" And some have even dared to suggest that God really wants all churches small. I have discovered that churches will resist talk of numerical growth nearly as much as they resist certain types of worship styles. Some have even suggested to me that talk of growing is unspiritual and unbiblical. But folks, I strongly disagree. If a church is healthy, one of the signs of that health is growth and reproduction.

The real question here is why the health and growth of a local congregation are important. It is not important if all we are trying to do is gain numbers for numbers' sake. I think that is a given. But every number represents a person -- a person for whom Christ died. That is why numbers are important. That is why church growth is important. Now there are lots of models for church growth. But it all comes down to the one value that supercedes all others..."the making of new disciples." This is the key issue that every congregation must embrace. The strategies of ministry that we use must support this one key issue. The evaluation of every congregation must center around this key concept -- are we making new disciples of Jesus Christ? Is our growth coming from making new disciples and not just from transferring people from your church to mine?

Then there is the critical cry that we are putting to much emphasis on numbers and that after all, the Bible doesn't do that. Well, I beg to differ. In reading through the book of Acts, besides the passages in Act 2 where it says that about 3000 were added, and in Acts 4 where the number is 5000, there are other passages that focus on growth as well. Acts 6:7 says, "the disciples increased rapidly and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith." Again in Act 9:31, "it increased in numbers." Acts 11:21-24 testifies that "a great number of people believed...and a great number of people were brought to the Lord. In Acts 12:24, the Gospel "continued to increase and spread." Acts 13:49 says, "the word of the Lord spread." Acts 14:1 tells us that "a great number of Jews and Greeks believed." In Acts 14:21, the Way "won a large number of disciples." In Acts 16:5, they "grew daily in numbers." Acts 17:4 speaks of "a large number of Godfearing Greeks and not a few prominent women." (I am indebted to Dr John Kaiser's book Winning on Purpose for the list of Scriptures.) Let me tell you, Luke doesn't shy away from talking about numbers when he speaks of people coming to faith.

Isn't some of our reaction against growing churches really because we haven't seen our churches grow and we don't want to be made to feel guilty? I can certainly identify with this somewhat. But let me ask you a very important question: How will you respond to our Lord when He asks you why you have been so disobedient to His Great Commission? Listen, if you are not in the process of making new disciples, then I believe you are being disobedient to the Lord Jesus and the command he has given. And there just isn't any nice way of saying that. When will we be willing to repent and confess our disobedience in following this Great Commission?

My purpose is not to make people feel guilty. I simply want to raise the bar to where it should be. I have just concluded my first year in this position. I have used this first year to listen, learn, assess, discover where we are as a church. In the remaining three years of my term I want to begin now to lay out a strategy for how we are going to begin to turn our church around. It will not be a program. We've had enough of those. It will not provide a quick fix. But there must be a consistent strategy of change developed that will lead us "back to the future." I have been spending time thinking and trying to develop such a strategy and hope to begin unpacking it this fall.

Remember, "Where God Is taking us is always better than where we've been." Don't believe me? Just ask Abraham.

Posted by Ron Ramsey at 7:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Just take a minute and list in your mind all the ministries of your church. Preaching, worship, music, Sunday school, youth ministry, etc. You'd probably have a fairly long list. Got all of that in your mind? Good! Now, think of "Why?" I mean, why do you do all that stuff? Be honest now, no fudging! When you have answered that why question, you have the mission or purpose of your church. Some would probably argue that the mission is something else, a phrase in the worship folder or a plaque on the wall. But really, isn't the answer to the mission question what we are now doing? I mean, if that stuff isn't about your mission, why are you doing it?

Now think again about all those ministries. Where are they focused? There are three possibilities. One, they are for us. Did you know that 80 - 90% of churches in the US are either plateaued or declining primarily because everything is focused on us, an inward focus. Two, it could be that the ministries are focused on the people who are not here yet. Most churches would not tolerate such a focus. So, three, they could be focused on doing both--on us, and on those who are yet to come. But in this scenario, who would get priority? In these churches, the priority would be on those who are not here yet. But you still do ministry for those who are there. The principle here is powerful. When unchurched people, those who are not there yet, are given priority the church begins to grow.

Now, to what extent is your church focused outward, to include those who are not there yet? The honest answer to that question will tell you a lot about the growth or lack of growth in your church.

Now I suppose the question is, should all churches grow? Well, let me tell you, I have a five-year-old granddaughter....Oh well, that is the subject for another time.

Posted by Ron Ramsey at 7:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Oswald Chambers observes: The phrase we hear so often, Decide for Christ, is an emphasis on something Our Lord never trusted. He never asks us to decide for Him, but to yield to Him - a very different thing. At the basis of Jesus Christ's Kingdom is the unaffected loveliness of the commonplace. The thing I am blessed in is my poverty. If I know I have no strength of will, no nobility of disposition, then Jesus says - Blessed are you, because it is through this poverty that I enter His Kingdom. I cannot enter His Kingdom as a good man or woman, I can only enter it as a complete pauper.

The unconscious effort to live before Christ in the most commonplace of events exercises the most influence on others. We moved Jalonna (our daughter) into her own apartment in Wisconsin this past weekend to start a new ministry position on a church staff. Yes, tears were a part of the mix as we left our "little girl" there alone. Saturday, a young mother with three little ones hanging on her, knocked on the door and introduced herself. Jalonna offered to baby sit.

It will be those kind of commonplace interactions and conversations that will open the door for Jalonna to share Christ with those around her. While there may be some events at church that will be helpful for her neighbors to be invited to, the key to reaching them will be the doors of relationship that open into their lives in the mundane interactions Jalonna has with them.

So it is for us all. Is it safe? (Father, mother, grandparents are all asking that about her physical safety) :-)
Yes. And no. It is challenging and requires some thought and awareness, physically and relationally. But it is worth it because it is the fulfillment of the mission. It is why she (and we) are there.

So today, don't think about the outcomes, just be like Jesus to those around you and that will be the greatest influence you can have for the Kingdom.

Posted by Pat Jones at 2:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

In 1994, we held a leadership conference which brought several hundred UB ministers and laypersons to Huntington, Ind. One morning we divided everyone into groups based on church size--24 different groups. They talked about various issues for a while. Then we further divided those groups in half--ministers and spouses in one group, laypersons in the other. A total of 48 groups. They were instructed to develop a "Code of Conduct" for themselves, one code for ministers, one for laypersons. The 48 codes were then condensed and compiled.

I recently stumbled across those two codes, and was impressed with their wisdom. Here is the "Layperson's Code of Conduct," which ended up consisting of 12 points.

1. I will be open-minded to change, and will not insist that others follow my preferences.
2. I will focus on the positive in our church and convey that to others.
3. I will abide in Christ and bear the responsibility of that relationship.
4. I will demonstrate a servant attitude in carrying out my church responsibilities.
5. I will continuously evaluate my schedule, balancing family and church time in a way which puts family first.
6. I will not create conflict, and will lovingly confront those who do.
7. I will not criticize the pastor or others behind their backs, but will speak to them personally, always offering a solution with any complaints.
8. I will expand my witness in my corner of God's world, and will do nothing to jeopardize my witness.
9. I will recognize that my talents, time, and resources belong to Christ.
10. I will be consistent and dependable.
11. I will pray for my church, its leaders, and its ministry.
12. I will continually remind myself that the ministry of the church is my ministry.

Posted by Steve Dennie at 12:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This was sent to me by Gene Wood the Turnaround Church author and speaker. Here I am, 66, and reading this with some regret. You who are younger would do well to heed this advice.

50 SUGGESTIONS FOR PASTORS
If You Want Children Who Love the Ministry

Infancy/Toddlers
1. Rock them to sleep when they are crying at night.
2. When you are home, spend lots of time on the floor.
3. Play fort under the table or under the bed.
4. Sacrifice so your wife can stay at home (for 12-15 years).
5. When you arrive home, always pick them up.
6. Play “horsey.” Let them ride on your back.
7. Tell them “no” and mean it.
8. Kiss them and hug them several times each day.
9. Be home for dinner.
10. Choose a godly mother for them and make her feel appreciated.

Preschool
1. Read to them often.
2. Enforce “no.” Let them know you love them too much to allow disobedience.
3. Spank them when they rebel.
4. Hold them after you spank them and explain why punishment was necessary.
5. Have daily family devotions. While you do this, hold them on your lap.
6. When they run to greet you, send a clear message they are loved and your priority. Pick them up.
7. Watch them ride their big wheels.
8. Tuck them in every night and pray with them.
9. If you get home late, go to their bed and stroke their cheeks. Tell them you love them and pray for them.
10. Watch them play.

Early Grade School
1. Take them the first day. Go ahead and cry.
2. Try to arrange your schedule to take them to school every day.
3. Talk to them. Don’t just “be with” them. Ask questions.
4. Go for hikes in the woods. Play army.
5. Go on father-son camp outs.
6. Go on dates to fancy restaurants with your daughters.
7. Teach them how to have personal devotions as they begin second grade.
8. When you go into their room to say “good night” and pray, sit on the bed. Become friends.
9. Throw the ball. Play dolls/house. Let them sit on your back while you swim. Laugh a lot.
10. Begin to plan real vacations. Talk about them and take pictures.

Later Grade School
1. Make family nights a priority.
2. If they choose to be involved in athletics/music, be at their events. Put them on your calendar.
3. Offer to coach their activities.
4. Continue your good night conversations.
5. Let them be kids. Let them hug you and kiss you goodbye.
6. Tell them daily, “I love you.”
7. Tell them you are praying for the godly man or woman who God has chosen to be their mate.
8. Openly display your love for your wife.
9. Continue to expect obedience. Spank them if open rebellion surfaces.
10. Frequently tell them how much you love ministry.

Junior High
1. Monitor and discuss their private devotional life.
2. Let them know that the choice of their friends will be the single biggest determiner of their spiritual success.
3. Make your presence at school and extra-curricular activities a high priority.
4. Continue family devotions.
5. Continue to tell them good night and pray with them.
6. Make these years of family nights and vacations the most special ever. They are drawing to a close.
7. Begin discussions about dating.
8. Discourage television viewing at night. Encourage the family to talk.
9. Discipline in ways other than spanking, but demand obedience.
10. Give them increased privacy. If they don’t want you in their room each night, respect this.

High School
1. Insist they be active in their youth group, even if they are critical sometimes. Always support your youth pastor.
2. Avoid any criticism of church people, especially leadership.
3. Cancel whatever you need to in order to attend their events, even if they say they don’t care. Cancel unnecessary travel.
4. Give them space to “individualize” as long as they don’t cross biblical boundaries.
5. Let them see you develop close relationships with their teachers and friends’ parents.
6. Participate in man type activities with your son: wrestle, arm wrestle, lift weights, bang bodies.
7. Stay in good physical shape. This is important to both your sons and daughters.
8. Let your daughters know you think they are terrific. Listen to them by the hour and look in their eyes.
9. When you’re home at night, turn off the television. Sit in the family room (without a book). Just because you’re available does not mean they will talk, but they never will if you are not available.
10. Pray for them daily.

Posted by Ron Ramsey at 3:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

In light of the war in Lebanon and the threats created by the plot uncovered in the UK, I was asked the other day why the Islamic extremists hate Jews and Christians so much. I clarified immediately that the key word in the statement was "extremists" and that not all those who follow Islam are so disposed. My simple answer was that they are similar to the extremists in the Christian ranks who feel so passionate about abortion that they deem themselves justified in bombing abortion clinics and killing abortion doctors. Their hatred of those who are the opposition is fueled by their passion for their cause.

Something struck me as I was answering. These "extremists" fight to the death, are prepared to sacrifice even their children to attack the enemy, and generally devote every aspect of their lives to the cause. Their young people are incited to action by the repeitious mantra of what is right and wrong in their leaders' views. Over and over again they are exposed to the message and they grow up reciting it. Their circimstances and environment support the claims of the leaders. And when their "wins" occur, they celebrate them raucously. The recent cease fire with Israel is seen as a "win" for Hezbollah, and they have already spread the celebration among their people.

I compared this to the level of passion we demonstrate about our mission through the church. We would denounce the extremists, but there is an admiration for their dedication to their cause. It sounds very much like the words, "Whoever would not take up his cross daily, and follow me, is not worthy of me."

What would happen if we were so devoted to our cause that all of life was dedicated to it?

Think about it.

Posted by Pat Jones at 3:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Thought you might like to know some of the stuff I've been reading this summer. So here is a short list:

• Hit The Bullseye, by Paul Borden an Abingdon Press book. This is the story of how one region of a mainline denomination was transformed into an effective, missional region in a very short period of time.


• Winning on Purpose, by John Edmund Kaiser (also an Abingdon book). This is how the region described in the Bullseye book reorganized its congregations to succeed in their mission.

These two books have greatly impacted my thinking and vision for our denomination. Pat Jones and I were priviledged to attend a conference put on by the organization led by the author of the Bullseye book. It was one of the most inspirational, moving, and educational experiences I've had in a long time. Dr. Borden and his team have really hit the bullseye in the region they are serving.

If there are two books in addition the Bible that I think you should read, they would be these two. We will have discussions of the philosophy of these books in days to come. If you read them, try to discover the transferable principles that they contain.

• Pastorpreneur, by Dr. John Jackson. A Baxter Press book.


• One Size Doesn't Fit All, by Gary L. McIntosh (A book I've read about three times...very insightful).


• Invitation to a Journey, by M. Robert Mulholland Jr. (IVP). This book is an excellent resourse for spritual formation. Especially good were the chapters that used the Myers-Briggs personality type to show how our personalities impact our approach to spiritual formation.


• Why Churches Die, by Mac Brunson & Ergun Caner (Broadman & Holdman). The authors identify some lethal poisons in the Body of Christ. Their chapter on gossip should be required reading. This is not a heavy book by any means. There is some good preaching material in this one.


• The Healthy Small Church, by Dennis Bickers (Beacon Hill Press). Every church under 200 might want to study this book. It is a postive but honest look at small churches.


• The Radical Reformission and Confessions of a Refomissionist Rev, by Mark Driscoll. Both are Zondervan books. These are the first things I've read on Emerging, Emergent, Missional churches that come at the topic from a conservative theological position. Highly recommended.


• Golf For Dummies, by Gary McCord. Did it help? I'll tell you if I ever find time to get out to the driving range or course, but it was enjoyable to read.

Some books that are on my fall list:

• Multi-site Church Revolution: Being One Church in Many Locations, by Geoff Surratt, Greg Ligon, and Warren Bird.


• Pursuing The Full Kingdom Potential of Your Congregation, by George W. Bullard, Jr. (a Lake Hickory Resource). This author has done extensive study and writing on the life cycle of congregations. I hope he touches on that in his book.


• Seven Practices of Effective Ministry, by Andy Stanley. I read another book he and Ed Young wrote entitled, Can We Do That: 24 Innovative Practices that Will Change The Way You Do Church. I read it some time ago but would recommend it as well.


• Practicing Greatness: 7 Disciplines of Extraordinary Spiritual Leaders, by Reggie Neal. This is a Jossey-Bass book. I've read several books by this author and have enjoyed his writing.


• Christian Coaching: Helping Others Turn Potential into Reality, by Gary R. Collins.


• Christ Centered Coaching: 7 Benefits for Ministry Leaders, by Jane Creswell.


• The Very Large Church and Multiple Staff & the Larger Church, both by Lyle Schaller.


• The Elephant in the Boardroom: Speaking the Unspeakable about Pastoral Transitions, by Carolyn Weese and J. Russell Crabtree.

Don't know if I'll get them all read, but that is the plan. Now, before anyone brings it up -- yes, this is all supplemental to the most important book, The Bible. I bought a copy of the NLT and really like reading it. I was talking to an exec at Tyndale Publishers and he told me that the object was to develop a translation that could be read publically.

The person who can read but doesn't is no better off than the person that can't read at all.

Posted by Ron Ramsey at 3:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

One year ago yesterday. That is when Pam and I (exhausted from the tears of the day before) drove our overloaded vehicles the 500 miles we had driven many times before. The difference is that before it was to visit family or attend a meeting. This time it was launching into a whole new life: new home; new and different ministry; empty nest. It has been an interesting year.

As I traveled today, I heard an interesting talk that I identified with totally. The speaker made the point that people don't resist change as much as they do the tranistion process brought about by change. Change requires people to sacrifice something to achieve a desired goal. The end is desirable; but the process of getting to that end point is usually painful and disruptive. So how do we help people through the transition?

Quick Summary of the Steps:
1. Agree on a felt need or purpose. Share it as a vision to be achieved.
2. Outline the process to get there.
3. Prepare the transitioning person over a period of time through personal and corporate communication.
4. Create or provide a way to celebrate the necessary sacrifices.
5. Celebrate it and move into the new venture. Don't allow the sacrificed thing to hold you back.

The Bishop and I will be illustrating this process in various settings as we move ahead. But the question I wanted to raise a year into the process is this: What are we willing to sacrifice for? What are we so captivated by, so motivated by, so enslaved to, in our local churches that we would be willing to sacrifice ANYTHING in order to achieve it?

One year ago, we answered that question. And we personally and painfully sacrificed certain things in order to pursue it.

Join me in pondering this question. You and your church may be asked to answer it personally in the next couple of years. What would your answer be?

Posted by Pat Jones at 7:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

We have a superb track record when nearby UB churches merge. I wish the Elgin UB church had gone that route.

My mom grew up at Elgin, a small rural congregation outside of Van Wert, Ohio. I was related to a good share of the congregation, nearly all of them farmers. I say "was" because the church closed some years ago after doing what way too many small churches do--numbers decline, young families don't seem interested, the long-time faithful grow increasingly frustrated that nothing seems to work, they go through years of just trying to hang on...and eventually they close. A family bought the Elgin building and turned it into a house.

It always made sense, to me, for Elgin to join forces with the nearby Monticello UB church. They were on a circuit for many years, no more than ten minutes away. The preacher would do his thing at Monticello while Elgin held Sunday school. Then he'd rush over to Elgin, arriving during the singing and just in time for the message. Some wonderful Christian people attended Elgin, and Monticello would have benefited from their wisdom and commitment.

But too many of the Elgin stalwarts--and I can say this, because so many were my relatives--were smitten with no small amount of pride, and I always sensed a touch of rivalry with the larger Monticello. They feared being swallowed up, feared losing power. So instead, Elgin died a slow death. Some wonderful people squandered years of ministry aboard a clearly sinking ship, until finally they just gave up and closed.

On the other hand, consider these churches:

• In 1985, three congregations merged to form the Lake View UB church in Camden, Mich., which today is a thriving congregation.
• In the 1990s, the Calvary and Otterbein UB churches of Rockford, Ohio, merged. Today this growing congregation, called New Horizons, has a superb building on new property.
• In 2000, the Immanuel UB church in Carlisle, Pa., merged with a non-UB church to form today's Bethany Evangelical Church, a UB congregation.
• Last year, two churches in or near Willshire, Ohio, merged to form PraisePoint. The Willshire and Zion churches, once both small and struggling, now have an amazing new building on a busy corner in Willshire, and their future is bright.

Merging congregations like this just plain works. As far as I can tell, our track record is 100 percent. I'm sure it's the answer for some of today's struggling UB churches. I hate seeing fine Christian people wither in frustration when they could become part of something alive and growing--something that would bring them great joy. But there is a price to pay in "giving up" power, control, and heritage, even though it's for a greater cause. Too many congregations aren't sufficiently courageous and selfless to make it happen. But others are. Perhaps your church has what it takes. Yeah, I'll bet you do. See that UB church 10 or 20 minutes away? Talk to them.

Posted by Steve Dennie at 11:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)