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: __________________ & _____________________.

A. Very basic choice in life: serve God or _____________. 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 ____________ fate – Gen. 13:10, 13; 19

D. Materialism hurts us because:

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

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

3. it passes poor __________ ____________ to children:

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

II. Challenge: Breakdown of the ____________

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 ____________ 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 ______________.

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

E. What’s the solution?

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

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

III. Challenge: Poor _____________________ within Congregations.

A. We need men who are willing to be _______________ ____________.

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 __________!

C. What we need now:

1. A ________________ leadership.

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

3. Brethren who will respond _____________ 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. _____________ 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: __________________ & _____________________. A. Very basic choice in life: serve God or _____________. 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 ____________ fate – Gen. 13:10, 13; 19 D. Materialism hurts us because: 1. Makes us miss critical opportunities to spend time w/______________. 2. Hampers spiritual __________ to God. Spiritual accidents waiting to happen 3. it passes poor __________ ____________ to children: E. Solution: Mt. 6:19-20; 33; 1 Tim. 6:17-19 II. Challenge: Breakdown of the ____________ 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 ____________ 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 ______________. D. Finally, add to this society’s lack of conviction that marriage = ____ _____ relationship. Commitment will stand up & overcome difficulties – Eccl. 5:4-5 E. What’s the solution? 1. Husbands: _______ your families! Eph. 5:23; 25-28; 1 Pet. 3:7 2. All committed to being ____________ of God – Eph. 5:1-5 III. Challenge: Poor _____________________ within Congregations. A. We need men who are willing to be _______________ ____________. 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 __________! C. What we need now: 1. A ________________ leadership. 2. leaders w/____________ - Foresight; insight; optimism; hope! 3. Brethren who will respond _____________ 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. _____________ 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?