This is my latest column in EN – you can read the original here..
Revitalising a dying church: what’s the secret?
St Peter’s Free Church, Dundee, which grew ‘shakily and yet sincerely’. Source: Facebook | St Peter’s Free Church
Of making many strategies there is no end, and many training sessions weary the body.
As I have re-entered the Presbyterian ministry in a small church, Scots Kirk in Newcastle, New South Wales, I have been reflecting on my two previous ministries and on answering the question: how do you revitalise a traditional church, which is nearing the end of its life? It’s a situation I have faced before.
Not least in St Peters Free Church in Dundee – a large historical building which was noted for being the church of Robert Murray McCheyne. As such, it was the nearest thing Protestants get to an evangelical shrine. Busloads of tourists from all over the world (or at least the Reformed world – the Netherlands, Northern Ireland, the US) came to visit each year. But the congregation was a literal handful – we had no families, no young people and as a traditional psalm singing only acapella congregation, we were never going to attract the young, hip and happening evangelicals who moved to the city. Indeed, it was 18 years before one evangelical family came to us. We just had to grow our own.
In the providence of God, the church did grow – slowly, shakily and yet sincerely. There was a warmth and a life which people could sense. When I left after 27 years it was well established with a group of over 200 and had even seen a couple of church plants. Given that this was taking place in a post-industrial, post-Christian city this was quite unusual and so people came to visit us from different places asking what we did: What was our strategy? Our methodology? Did we have a manual? Did we offer training? They were usually disappointed to hear me say that my methodology was to preach the Word, pray and see what happens.
‘Oh yes,’ they would say. ‘We know that. We do that.’ And yet I questioned that. We literally had nothing that would attract people. Our building was rundown and in need of restoration. We were not a church where you would come and find your spouse, or have a well-developed youth programme for your children. When we began a new church plant in St Andrews, I recall a man from London saying that he believed God was calling him to come and help with that work. I invited him up for the weekend, but at the end he told me that it was not for him. Why? Because there are no families for my family. To which my response was ‘someone has to be first’. But that someone was not to be him. Incidentally St Andrews Free Church is now a thriving church, filled with young people, under the ministry of Paul Clarke.
Preaching the Word and then…
In general, I find that most evangelical churches believe in preaching the Word. It would be hard to call yourself a Christian church, let alone evangelical, if you did not. But then most finish that sentence not with ‘and see what happens’ but ‘and this will happen’. Too many churches talk about ‘ministry of the Word’ when we mean only one particular way of doing it and we have already predetermined how it will work – who we will reach and what our growth strategy is. For some of us it is a methodology, a virtue to be signalled, a badge to be worn. As a result, we end up with lectures, memes, cliches, and the ‘one size fits all’ style of teaching…. safe, comfortable, short and generally useless. But real ministry of the Word is something profoundly deep, Spirit-filled and powerful.
There is something deeply wrong with a church which operates on a plug and play mentality, in which we set up the system and then through rigorous programming and training, we produce a pipeline of preachers who all sound the same, use the same methodology and end up being as dull as dishwater.
Ministry of the Word is much more dynamic and diverse than that, and that includes out of the pulpit. It should be done in the public square as well as the temple. In most areas, perhaps street corner preaching is not the best way to do this in the 21st Century West, but we need to find the marketplace and there proclaim the Word of Christ through many different means: media, social media, debating, café evangelism and cultural outreach are all means I have tried to use.
When I left Scotland, I did not imagine in my wildest dreams/nightmares that in my early sixties I would be going back to the beginning – seeking to revitalise an elderly declining congregation in a post-industrial, post-Christian society. But here we are. Back to the future. A few months ago, a young couple with a baby came in. They were looking for a church and had enjoyed the service, but they were hesitant. I knew why and just simply said, ‘I know… but someone has to be first’. We haven’t seen them since!
It’s back to the drawing board. What are my strategies and plans? I don’t have any. We have nothing to offer except Christ. I’m just going to preach the Word, pray and see what happens…
David Robertson, is the minster of Scots Kirk Presbyterian Church, Newcastle NSW and blogs at http://www.theweeflea.com
It’s what ministers are called to do David, in season and out of season. I’ve experienced it in Northern Ireland where one minister said at someone’s induction… “I know the Lord will bless this church”.
How does he know? It’s the Spirit that gives the increase.
Keep preaching and praying David as I will for you and Scots Church.
Thanks David- Encouraged by this.
Agree 100%
Rev , Thanks for your honesty , and you are correct in having no secret method for success. Churches today are afraid of the pitfalls , of making mistakes , of fear of the unknown. They play safe looking for a moderate evangelical who will tide them along saying the right things , one who will be “good with the kids” yet will still soothe the elderly.
I have seen it in my lifetime . Good men buckle and leave after five years because the leadership in the church offered little or no support , ashamedly , I too was guilty . In fact , we were in opposition to Christ’s commands and message ! The empty buildings and halls that litter Scotland’s West coast have become second homes for the affluent , or lie empty in decay! The people are rich , but in truth they are poor because they have forgotten their first love , and so they perish !
Please pray for us , we are not dead yet , but I am reminded that I too need stirred !!
The battle is not just local , it is universal and the enemy is strong , but provision is made for every servant of the Lord to do battle successfully , wounds may be many ,but He who has promised never to leave nor forsake will honour His word !
Remembering you and Annabell in Newcastle , praying that God will do a new thing , not because this method works , or that idea sounds good , but because God’s Spirit seeps into lives awakening them to the truth of His word !
Thanks! V interesting….
God Bless you Pastor David,
Yes , continue to preach His Word, pray. I will be praying for you and this new church body that you will minister to.
I came to know the Lord during the Jesus revolution here in California. Over the last 50 years I have seen the ebb and flow of church body attendance and also changes in how we minister and reach community. As long as His Word is preached , the blessings are there.
What about funerals? Any thoughts on preaching and wider funeral content? An interesting subject. Curious what your advice or experience suggests, or what resources have ever been useful.
There is a battle erupting between two kingdoms, between the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Evil. Darkness is falling, thick darkness over the people of the earth. The Kingdom of God is not a matter of rules and traditions but is in the realm of the Holy Spirit, the realm of righteousness, peace and joy. Here you will find lovers of God walking in Kingdom reality. They are lead by the Spirit of God for they are the sons and daughter of God. Thee mature children of God are always moved by the impulses of the Holy Spirit, the very Spirit of Almighty God.
His precious sons and daughters have returned to the Holy Spirit’s teaching, tired of false doctrines being sold to them. His promise is that He will teach them all things and bring to their remembrance all that He has taught them, so their words will always bring forth truth and light the way for things to come.
No longer delighting in the power of their mind, they walk in the Spirit and delight in the revelation-knowledge He brings forth. He is the one unfolding the mysteries of Christ and His church. when feeling weak and overcome by the confusions of end time living, they delight to know the Holy Spirit is continually interceding for them, not with words but groanings too deep for words. There is much groaning and weeping when God’s children no longer have words to pray, for they touch the heart of their spirit to that of the Holy Spirit and weep when the spirit weeps. So in tune to His heart are they, the very heart of God.
No longer are their minds set on battle with their spirit, or the laws of the fresh but they are now set on the mind of the Spirit and the things of the heart of the Spirit. Because their hearts are sealed by the Spirit they are kept unto the day the Spirit will be taken from the earth, as the children of God are drawn up in glory to meet the Lord Jesus in the clouds, to be forever with Him. This is the way walk you in it and live life in abundance.
The day has come, there is a great harvest taking place in the orchards of the Holy Spirit. Love is at the top of every tree, falling down and covering all other fruits. No more stealing, killing or destroying for the evil one in this orchard for these are the fruits of the Spirit brought forth; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and strength of spirit; this is the victory of Christ in us. We are all baptised into one body and drink of the power of the Spirit within.
No one can come to the Son unless the father draws him. The Father is drawing His sons and daughters back to his heart (tugging on their heart strings) for they are His love gift to His son, they are His bride! The Spirit of life has set them free in Christ Jesus, from the spirit of sin and death. they no longer walk with their minds set on fleshly things but they live according to the Spirit, setting their minds on things of the Spirit. only ask and the Father will give the holy Spirit to you for with the power of the Holy Spirit you will abound in hope.
it is the desire of the Father to give you a new heart and a new spirit, to change your heart of stone into a heart of flesh, and to give you his Holy Spirit within. You will be led by the Spirit into the wilderness but don’t be afraid, for you will be cleansed by the blood of Jesus and renewed by the Spirit. Under the grace of the Lord Jesus and the love of God, enjoy true fellowship with the Holy Spirit and all God’s children who understand spiritual things for they are born of the Spirit of God. God’s love is poured into your heart through the holy spirit who has been given to you, so you will all love one another, so the world of darkness will see the brilliant light of love and know you are his disciple. The law of the spirit of life has set you free in the Lord Jesus Christ.
The same spirit who hovered over face of the waters in Genesis is now upon you because the Lord has appointed you to bring good news to the poor in spirit, and bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and open prison doors for those who are bound. You will be strengthened with power to accomplish these great exploits.
From our precious Lord who is Spirit, we are beholding his glory with unveiled faces and being transformed from one degree of glory to another. Our God is Spirit so we worship him in spirit and in truth. You are being guided into all truth for the spirit has come and He will release to you what is yet to be. Don’t be anxious for your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit and you will move forward with the sword of the Spirit firmly held in your right hand for this is the very Word of God empowered by the spirit. This is the living word of God, always keeping in step with the Spirit. The Spirit gives the Word of God life for this is the living word.
The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come!” Hear His still small voice say, “Come.” any who would come and taste freely of the Waters of Life, come now! This is a free gift. come to the wedding supper of the Lamb. “not by might, nor by power but by My Spirit says the Lord.”
Sent in love to you David. The wind of the Spirit is moving, you won’t know where it comes from or where it is going but you will know the life the Spirit brings to you and to your church if you welcome Him.