Throughout the years we have had the privilege of serving and working alongside many churches from across the denominational spectrum. In thinking recently about why churches contact us and having been asked a similar question by someone outside of EM, here are a few indicators that may help.
Typically, a senior minister, or someone in a position of leadership calling on their behalf, contacts us with a question which often reflects a desire to proactively address the church's development and growth. It may be that:
- The church does not have a plan regarding the future and the leadership is keen to explore how they can find out God's assignment for them.
- The church may want to focus on one particular aspect of ministry, such as the development of small groups, and would like some help in thinking this through.
- The church is functioning effectively, but would like to carry out an examination of its current state of health to help the leadership reflect on its current strengths and weaknesses, and chart an appropriate course in light of this.
There are also reactive reasons as to why some churches contact us, for example:
- Attendance is declining.
- The congregation is getting older with fewer young people being involved.
- There is an awareness that all is not well, and yet the church leadership is finding it difficult to identify the key issues, and need a little help to do so.