Challenges Congregations Must Face

Challenges Congregations Must Face

Introduction:

We need a well balanced diet w/our preaching/teaching. (2 Tim. 4:1-2) What is needed to ensure growth from w/in the body? Today, congregations must be aware of the challenges facing the church & determine what will be done to meet them. Over time congregations can find themselves in decline; or dead altogether. Consider the church at Ephesus and the church at Sardis. (Rev. 2:1-7; Rev. 3:1-6) Important to look inward from time to time to see how we are doing. Here are some challenges we must deal with if we to have long term success!

I. Challenge: Materialism & Worldliness.

A. Very basic choice in life: serve God or money. Mt. 6:24; 19:16-22.

B. Disclaimer: not advocating a theology of poverty!

C. Many family decisions made solely on basis of monetary considerations.

1. Consider Lot’s fate – Gen. 13:10, 13; 19

D. Materialism hurts us because:

1. Makes us miss critical opportunities to spend time w/family.

2. Hampers spiritual service to God. Spiritual accidents waiting to happen

3. it passes poor value system to children:

E. Solution: Mt. 6:19-20; 33; 1 Tim. 6:17-19

II. Challenge: Breakdown of the Home

A. What does it say about us when we say it is refreshing to find an ordinary family? (family functioning the way it should)

1. We must honor COVENANT involved in marriage! Pro. 2:17; Mal. 2:13-14

B. Divorce/remarriage is repugnant to God! Mal. 2:16

C. Then...situations where Christians do not divorce – but grow apart emotionally.

D. Finally, add to this society’s lack of conviction that marriage = life long relationship. Commitment will stand up & overcome difficulties – Eccl. 5:4-5

E. What’s the solution?

1. Husbands: lead your families! Eph. 5:23; 25-28; 1 Pet. 3:7

2. All committed to being imitators of God – Eph. 5:1-5

III. Challenge: Poor leadership within Congregations.

A. We need men who are willing to be servant leaders.

1. Those who have upright & godly character – worthy of following.

2. 1 Pet. 1:14-16; Phil. 2:15

B. Working toward a leadership role begins NOW!

C. What we need now:

1. A growing leadership.

2. leaders w/vision - Foresight; insight; optimism; hope!

3. Brethren who will respond positively to leadership. 1 Thess. 5:12-14

IV. Challenge: Zero-Growth in many places

A. Church as a whole is aging.

B. Overcrowded lifestyles of many younger brethren – lead to de-emphasis on evangelism by younger families.

C. What’s the solution here?

1. EVERY member must wake up to what is going on around us.

2. Committed to growth! Look at way church grew in FC. Acts 8:4; 1 Thess. 1:8

Conclusion:

A. Not pessimistic to look at facts. Must face & solve these problems if we are to succeed! Otherwise congregations will grow weak & die.

B. Let’s not forget our work is not in vain – 1 Cor. 15:58 Where are YOUR priorities?



Challenges Congregations Must Face Introduction: We need a well balanced diet w/our preaching/teaching. (2 Tim. 4:1-2) What is needed to ensure growth from w/in the body? Today, congregations must be aware of the challenges facing the church & determine what will be done to meet them. Over time congregations can find themselves in decline; or dead altogether. Consider the church at Ephesus and the church at Sardis. (Rev. 2:1-7; Rev. 3:1-6) Important to look inward from time to time to see how we are doing. Here are some challenges we must deal with if we to have long term success! I. Challenge: Materialism & Worldliness. A. Very basic choice in life: serve God or money. Mt. 6:24; 19:16-22. B. Disclaimer: not advocating a theology of poverty! C. Many family decisions made solely on basis of monetary considerations. 1. Consider Lot’s fate – Gen. 13:10, 13; 19 D. Materialism hurts us because: 1. Makes us miss critical opportunities to spend time w/family. 2. Hampers spiritual service to God. Spiritual accidents waiting to happen 3. it passes poor value system to children: E. Solution: Mt. 6:19-20; 33; 1 Tim. 6:17-19 II. Challenge: Breakdown of the Home A. What does it say about us when we say it is refreshing to find an ordinary family? (family functioning the way it should) 1. We must honor COVENANT involved in marriage! Pro. 2:17; Mal. 2:13-14 B. Divorce/remarriage is repugnant to God! Mal. 2:16 C. Then...situations where Christians do not divorce – but grow apart emotionally. D. Finally, add to this society’s lack of conviction that marriage = life long relationship. Commitment will stand up & overcome difficulties – Eccl. 5:4-5 E. What’s the solution? 1. Husbands: lead your families! Eph. 5:23; 25-28; 1 Pet. 3:7 2. All committed to being imitators of God – Eph. 5:1-5 III. Challenge: Poor leadership within Congregations. A. We need men who are willing to be servant leaders. 1. Those who have upright & godly character – worthy of following. 2. 1 Pet. 1:14-16; Phil. 2:15 B. Working toward a leadership role begins NOW! C. What we need now: 1. A growing leadership. 2. leaders w/vision - Foresight; insight; optimism; hope! 3. Brethren who will respond positively to leadership. 1 Thess. 5:12-14 IV. Challenge: Zero-Growth in many places A. Church as a whole is aging. B. Overcrowded lifestyles of many younger brethren – lead to de-emphasis on evangelism by younger families. C. What’s the solution here? 1. EVERY member must wake up to what is going on around us. 2. Committed to growth! Look at way church grew in FC. Acts 8:4; 1 Thess. 1:8 Conclusion: A. Not pessimistic to look at facts. Must face & solve these problems if we are to succeed! Otherwise congregations will grow weak & die. B. Let’s not forget our work is not in vain – 1 Cor. 15:58 Where are YOUR priorities?