Autopsy of a Deceased Church Chapter 9

Chapter 9 –

Today is our ninth installment from Thom Rainer’s Autopsy of a Deceased Church – 12 ways to Keep Yours Alive. I will share his thoughts as presented in his book for our consideration.

“The Church Rarely Prayed Together”

“I asked all the survivors of a deceased church a question.” Did the church members pray together?”

A New Testament example. Acts 2:42 talks of the apostles teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread and prayers. They were fervent, intense, and passionate about prayer. They had no doubt that God was listening and paying attention. A failure to pray was tantamount to a failure to breathe.” 

The church needs prayer, all churches need prayer along with ours. We must commit ourselves to praying and believing.

Prayer

Lord, teach me to pray. Teach me to pray consistently. Teach me to be a leader in prayer in my church. And teach me to keep passionate and believing prayer as the lifeblood of the church.

Questions –

  1. Most churches have times of prayer. What is the difference between those churches that have meaningful prayer time and those that do not?
  2. Why would a churches failure to engage in meaningful prayer lead to demise?
  3. What is the role and place of prayer in the early Jerusalem church in the context of Acts 2:41-47?

Bible Study April 13

April 13, 2023

Today our reading takes us to 1 Samuel 18 – 20 and Psalms 11 and 59 both Psalms of David.

Chapter 18 –

When Jonathan gave his royal robe and armor to David, he relinquished his right to the throne knowing it was for David to become king. In receiving it David showed great humility in accepting it. David behaved wisely is term used three times in this chapter to describe David’s character. Saul was jealous of David because of some women’s song and he sought to kill David. The people closest to Saul, even his daughter was choosing David to be king over Saul.

Chapter 19 –

Jonathan’s approach to his dad brought a temporary reconciliation, he also proved his word to David could be trusted. No longer did Saul hope the enemy would kill David he sought to do it himself but after two failed attempts he involves some messenger to do the work. However, the Spirit of God thwarted the messengers he was then stripped of his dignity.

Chapter 20 –

No one can alter God’s plan and God was showing David his true support system. It was a common practice for a new king to murder all heirs of the former kings family to protect from any overthrow attempts.

Jonathan transfers his allegiance form his father to David. They honor their vows to each other.

Psalm 11 –

As a life principle David sought refuge from his enemies. His advisers warned him to flee but he refused. God sees what is happening in the world and He will act. He will test the righteous, but the wicked will be dealt with more severely through the heaping of fire and brimstone.

Psalm 59 –

The events surrounding this Psalm can be found in today’s reading of 1 Samuel 19. David is punished for his own sin but he is also being persecuted by Saul which is undeserved.

Autopsy of a Deceased Church Chapter 8

Chapter 8

Today is our eighth installment from Thom Rainer’s Autopsy of a Deceased Church – 12 ways to Keep Yours Alive. I will share his thoughts as presented in his book for our consideration.

Chapter 8 is entitled “Pastoral Tenure Decreases.”

“For the majority of the churches, pastors came and went at a pace of every two to three years, especially in the two decades leading to the death of the churches. The cycle is predictable. The pastor comes to a church leads in a few changes. The members don’t like the changes and resist. The pastor becomes discouraged and leaves. Repeat cycle.”

That’s a sad commentary on the church of 2023.

He then talks about the life stages of a church that I will capture the basics of.

  • Year 1: Honeymoon, both pastor and church have blank slate as they enter the relationship hoping and believing the best for each other. For a season neither can do wrong in the other’s eyes. That season does not last very long.
  • Years 2 and 3: Conflicts and Challenges, No pastor is perfect, no church is perfect. Imperfections are found after a few months. Like a newlywed couples differences arise that brings on challenges.
  • Years 4 and 5: Crossroads, Part 1. This period is one of the most critical in the relationship. If conflict is severe the pastor will leave, however if they can work together some of the best years lie ahead.
  • Years 6 to 10: Fruit and Harvest. A church is likely to experience some of its best years differenced have been worked each trusts the other more deeply.
  • Years 11 and beyond; Crossroads part 2. During the first crossroads the pastor decides to stay or leave or the congregations make the decision. During this relatively rare tenure, the pastor will go down one of two paths. One path is to be a reinvigorated leader and ready to tackle new challenges and visions. Or the pastor will be resistant to change and become complacent.

He further says “Most pastors in dying churches have short tenures. Indeed most of the pastors left in stage two conflicts and challenges. When the pastors initiated or even suggested change there was fierce resistance.

And the cycle repeated itself and the church dies.

Prayer

God, please give our pastor a heart and a vision to reach and minister to people beyond our own walls. Teach me to be the kind of church member who encourages and supports our pastor, so discouragement and disillusionment does not lead to departure.

Questions –

  1. Describe the typical cycle of pastoral tenure in a dying church. Why does this pattern develop? How can it be reversed?
  2. Look at the stages of pastoral tenure and identify which two stages are more common in a dying church. Why is pastoral tenure important to any church?
  3. Paul told Timothy to fulfill his ministry by do(ing) the work of an evangelist. (2 Tim. 4:5). What challenges would a pastor of a dying church have to fulfill this mandate?

Bible Study April 12

April 12, 2023

From chapters 15 to 18 we see where God who made Saul king now rejects him because of his disobedience. Furthermore we read where Samuel anoints the youngest son of Jesse to be king, David the meets Goliath in battle and strongly defeats him

Chapter 15 –

Saul wins an important battle but makes a serious mistake. He was to battle against the Amalekites a fierce enemy of Israel. The Lord had commanded Saul to destroy everything and every person of the Amalekites but he failed to do so. He brought back the captured king (Agag) the best of the sheep, goats, cattle, and choice animals. Samuel confronts Saul who makes an excuse saying he listened to the people rather than God.

At that point Samuel tells Saul he will not be the long-term king of Israel because of his failure to obey God. Samuel says to Saul it is better to obey than sacrifice. Saul finally admits to his sin but Samuel condemns his for his disobedience. God had made up His mind and Samuel; reminds Saul the God does not lie or change His mind. Saul accompanies Saul to Gilgal to offer sacrifice.

Another reason Samuel goes to Gilgal is to complete the work that Saul failed to do in destroying everything before him. Samuel kills King Agag as Saul was supposed to do. Samuel plays judge here further declaring the end of the monarchy of Saul.

Chapter 16 –

Several of the next chapters we read will address the rise of David to the monarchy of Israel. David is the youngest of eight sons of Jesse born in Bethlehem (that is important to remember). God directs Samuel to go to the house of Jesse to anoint the next king of Israel. He arrives and is impressed by his oldest son Eliab. After seeing the seven oldest sons of Jesse and finding no one to become king he asks Jesse if these are his only sons. He sends for David and Samuel is likewise impressive to Samuel. He is anointed as the future king.

Saul becomes troubled in his spirit because he was being tormented. His servants suggested he have someone play the lyre to soothe his troubles. David is found and becomes his lyre player to calm his spirit.

David comes into his court as the lyre player and begins to learn valuable connections concerning personal and political issues. This will catapult David into the public eye.

Chapter 17 –

The setting for the most famous battle maybe of all time is the Valley of Elah. The Philistines are about to battle the Israelites but there is one problem. Goliath, Philistine, is nine foot, nine inches tall and has challenged any Israelite to come battle him. Goliath says whoever wins the loser will become their servants. Goliath is making a mockery of the Israelites by personally challenging someone to come out and battle him.

David id the first person to express any interest in fighting Goliath. The remainder of the Israelites were fearful.

Eliab, the oldest brother may have been jealous but in any event his judgement of his brother is misguided. David is not trying to avoid his work he is only asking a questions the fear and the tells Saul he will fight Goliath. David tells Saul of killing a lion and a bear so Saul allows him to battle the giant. The armor is too heavy for him to wear so he takes it off, gathers five stones from the stream and takes his sling. Now it had been forty days and Goliath had grown weary of mocking the Israelites. He now sees the young David coming to him as David listens to the curses of Goliath and the acknowledges his main weapon is the name of the Lord of Armies.

David takes one stone puts it in his sling and hits Goliath in the forehead either killing him or incapacitating him, he then takes the giants sword and severs his head. He places Saul’s weapons in his tent and then takes his sword to the tabernacle.

Autopsy of a Deceased Church Chapter 7

Chapter 7

Today is our seventh installment from Thom Rainer’s Autopsy of a Deceased Church – 12 ways to Keep Yours Alive. I will share his thoughts as presented in his book for our consideration.

Today The Preference Driven Church.

“It was eight years before the death of the church of the church, but few in the room would have predicted the church’s demise. The church bounced back a bit during the last year. Since most of its members would not allow any contemporary elements in the very staid and traditional style at 11:00 AM some younger adults started their own contemporary service at 8:30. Bible study classes fit in between the two services. It was not really contemporary by today’s standards. It was more a blended service.

He writes the new service provided the first growth the church had seen in two decades the new service adding thirty people so the church had a five year high of ninety-two in attendance. The younger adults invited friends to the 8:30 service but they said it would be better to have a later service. “The solution was simple move the tradional to 8:30 the contemporary to 11:00 it required a church vote.”

He says “there were 150 people in attendance that included members who had not been in church in five years or more. That included people who most others did not know. Members recruited others in to vote not to change.”

One member “declared he would let the church die before that change was made. He got his way eight years later. The vote was not close.”

“A significant number of the members moved the focus from others to themselves. A church cannot survive long-term where members are focused on their own preferences:

  • My music style,
  • My desired length and order of the service,
  • My desired color and design of the building,
  • My activities and programs,
  • My need of ministers and staff,
  • My, my, my.

The scriptures contain many references to a Christ like attitude – Philippians 2:5-11. “We are to be servants. We are to be obedient. We are to put others first. A church by definition is a body of believers who function for the greater good of the congregation.”

Prayer –

Lord, open my eyes to the needs of others. Show me how to live more like your Son, who always put others interests first. And especially show me that attitude as I serve in my church.

Questions –

  1. What are some unfortunately common areas where church members insist or demand their own preferences? Why do you think that happens?
  2. Read 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 and relate the passage to how we have the right attitudes and actions in our church.
  3. Read Philippians 2:5-11 and compare the attitude of Christ with the attitude of a selfish and entitled church member.

Bible Study April 11

April 11, 2023

1 Samuel 13 & 14

Chapter 13 –

It didn’t take long for Saul’s personal and spiritual defects to manifest themselves, to his own destruction and Israel’s detriment. He was impatient and impulsive who made decisions under pressure and then tried to justify himself rather than admitting a mistake.

While Saul was gathering his troops his son Jonathan maid a raid against the Philistine garrison that set up the huge Philistine army against Saul. Saul had agreed to wait for Samuel to come to make a sacrifice but in his fear, he went ahead and offered the sacrifice against the will of God. What was his excuse for doing so?

As a result of his actions he forfeited his right to be Israel’s king. God was working to bring in His covenantal ruler into place.

Saul’s response to his rejection is not mentioned but he was left to Philistines with only a handful of men. The Philistines prevailed because they had rid Israel of all the blacksmiths to make swords or spears.

Chapter 14 –

Saul’s son who was armed attempted another attack on the Philistines. It did not make sense for two men Jonathan and his armor bearer to attack but they did. The Philistines were uncircumcised men who were defying the armies of Israel. Jonathan and his armor bearer won a great victory.

The Israelite army pursues the Philistines so hard that Saul refused to let anyone eat, leaving the troops exhausted. He placed a curse on any man eating would be put to death. Jonathan ate some honey he found on the ground and renewed his strength. Saul was willing to even kill his own son because of the curse placed on the people but wisely he was spared. Nothing more was said and Saul did not return to battle without God’s approval.

Autopsy of a Dying Church Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Today is our fifth installment from Thom Rainer’s Autopsy of a Deceased Church – 12 ways to Keep Yours Alive. I will share his thoughts as presented in his book for our consideration.

His title for this chapter is The Great Commission Becomes the Great Omission. Most of what I am writing are direct quotes from his little book that says so much.

“Some churches begin with a great heart and a great effort toward the Great Commission. But the methods used become the focus rather than the Great Commission. The Great Commission becomes the Great Omission.” This is a place we do not want to ever get to.

“Nostalgia can be good. It can be fun and healthy. We can’t relieve the past, and we can’t recreate the past. Our autopsy revealed a lot nostalgia about the growth of the church.”

“There are a number of New Testament passages where Jesus sends out His followers.” He then lists a familiar one Matthew 28:19-20. “The imperative here is to go. The deceased church, somehow in its history forgot to act on the great Commission.”

Could this be because to church failed to act to go? His point in order to grow the kingdom we must “Go.” It will take effort; it will receive rejection but that is no reason to avoid the mission or to simply not go in the first place.’

“As I looked at the deaths of fourteen churches, I saw a common pattern. Obedience to the Great Commission faded: it usually faded gradually. Perhaps it would be more truthful to say these dying churches had “Great Commission” disobedience.” That comment hurts since that is what we are supposed to be doing giving what we have received away.

“Members of a dying church weren’t willing to go into the community to reach and minister to people. They weren’t willing to invite their unchurched friends and relatives. They weren’t willing to expend the funds for a vibrant outreach.”

“They just wanted it to happen. Without prayer. Without sacrifice. Without hard work.
 Prayer

Lord, remind me I am to be a Great Commission Christian in a Great Commission church. Remind me that, in your strength, I am to do whatever it takes to reach out into my community with the transforming power of the gospel.

Questions

  1. Why do most dying churches have members who are nostalgic about the “good old days”? What are the biblical implications of that mindset?
  2. Look at and describe the different parts of Matthew 28:19-20. Is our church more obedient or disobedient to those biblical commands?
  3. What is the relationship between Jesus’ promise to always be with us in Matthew 28;20, and a mind-set that focuses on one’s own comfort?

Bible Study April 10

April 10, 2023

As we read today the thought that entered my mind was a familiar one “be careful what you ask for.” Today we look at 1 Samuel 9 through 12.

Chapter 9 –

Israel demanded a king and a king they got. God set about work of controlling the choice of king for the people. So Saul came from good stock, he was impressive and a head taller than anyone else. God providentially arranges for a meeting between Saul and Samuel over some lost donkeys. They had no success finding the lost donkeys so it was suggested they seek out the “seer” for advice the seer was Samuel. Saul was looking for donkeys Samuel was looking for a king. Samuel hosts a meal most likely to get Saul out in front of people.

Chapter 10 –

Samuel privately anointed Saul to become the ruler over Israel. When Saul turned around and away from Saul God changed his heart. When time came for the public presentation and anointing of Saul all Israel gathered at Mizpah when Samuel called them. To be certain Samuel brought all the tribes forward from the larger to the smaller tribes most likely by casting lots until Saul son of Kish was selected from the smallest tribe.  He was a head taller and just the kind of king they wanted.

Samuel proclaimed to the people the rights of kingship and then he wrote them on a scroll before sending everyone home. Saul made a great first impression but he ultimately would not measure up to God’s expectations.

Chapter 11 –

Saul soon met his first test as king. Nasash, the king of the Ammonites and his army lay siege to Jabesh-gilead who were unprepared to defend themselves. They agreed to Nasash’s crippling treaty to gouge out everyone’s right eye and he was so confident that no one would come rescue them he gave them a week to decide. Help would come in the person of Saul. Saul was out plowing when he heard this news that he was angered and the Spirit of God came upon him. He went against the Ammonites and utterly destroyed them that no two people left together. This was the spiritual high before the downfall of Saul. He would ultimately prove unworthy to his high calling.

Chapter 12 –

Following Saul’s victory Samuel felt it was time to step aside and transfer leadership to Saul. Samuel tells the people what they do not want to hear. He reviewed the history of Israel and her dealings with the Lord from the exile from Egypt and the times they had forgotten the Lord. He recounts some of their judges but then tells them each time they relapsed into failing God. They had rejected their true king.

However, Samuel had a word of grace for the people saying, “what is done is done, so let’s move forward.” The Lord was still their God, He would not abandon His people. He vowed to continue to pray for them.

Bible Study April 9

April 9, 2023

Today our reading takes us to 1 Samuel chapter four through eight. We read of the capture of the ark of the covenant by the Philistines and the resulting death of Eli as a consequence of the capturing of the ark. We will also see the ark is returned to Israel, and Israel asks for a king

Chapter 4 –

The judgement prophesied for Eli did not stop simply because Eli was a leader in Israel. If one aspect of the kingdom principle fails all aspects of it suffer. Israel is in sin and they go to battle with the Philistines who soundly defeat them. They believe that moving the ark of the covenant to battle area will save them so the proceed to Shiloh to bring it to them. Eli’s two sons bring the ark back thinking they will bring victory but all it brought them was their funerals.

The ark is captured by the Philistines and when Eli heard this news, he fell over backward and died.

Chapter 5 –

The Philistines may have thought that having the ark would insure victory for them also but it had adverse effects on them. Merely possessing the ark did not do the Philistines any good. In fact, the god of the Philistines toppled over twice the second time breaking of its hands. They take the ark to Gath but the people of Gath are the recipients of tumors. They send it to Ekron but the people there called the Philistine rulers and demanded they send the ark away and ultimately returned to Israel.

Chapter 6 –

All the punishment for having the ark occurred over a period of seven months. The summon their priests and diviners who say the ark should be returned to Israel. So they prepare to send it back to Israel with five gold tumors and five gold mice suggesting the tumors were a result of mice. The Philistines were wanting Israel to stop oppressing them.

It is unlikely that untrained milk cows could pull a cart together and if they did they would seek to return it to their calves. If the cows were to proceed toward Beth-Shemesh it would prove God was miraculously at work.

Chapter 7 –

The Israelites bring the ark to Kirjah-Jearim because Shiloh had been destroyed. It took twenty years but Israel repented once again putting away their false gods. This was an act of self-denial and humility. This along with a burnt offering proved sincerity.

Chapter 8 –

Israel wants a king like all the people around them who would visibly symbolize authority and power. This was not God’s plan for them after all He was their king. God warned Israel that a king would prevent justice and exact taxes. Israel had forty-three kings over a period of 450 years and only eight followed the Lord. God sometimes lets people have their own way so they will one day recognize their need.

He ends it all by saying in verse 22 “heed their voice and make them a king.”