Once a long time ago a small church that I had been part of planting
agreed to merge with another small church plant. There was agreement
among the local leaders. The only
factor was the group (network) that had funded the plant of the church
merging with the other was not involved or active in the negotiation.
There was a lack of urgency about what could be done. Everybody was
really busy. The problem that became the deal-breaker was over money,
tithing into the organization. It should have demanded that those in
charge who had invested the money get involved at once once accord was
found. It was their money after all invested. Stalemate resulted. The
church merger never happened. Eventually the church closed down..
the one in which the network had invested nearly $150,000 dollars to
plant.
I drove by the other church's building last night. The one many of the Members of the Network's church migrated to. Remember there was nearly a merger anyway. It seemed reasonable to do. I did not migrate. This last weekend the other church had 4 services. The building only seats about 200. All this lost opportunity and a chance to make a home base out of which the network could have established a real foothold in the area. Now sadly nothing... All over money and inattention by network leadership.
I mention that because in spending a couple hours in Englewood yesterday I was struck with the large number of storefront churches. None of them of great effect based on what we hear and see. What would happen if in fact churches of 200 were formed from these fragments. They would have real impact and influence in the community and the resources to get the job done. Yet there is always the argument over money. Many of these church leaders get their primary income from the giving of the fragment. Forfeiting that will be very hard. And who is going to lead these churches? I have lived this again and again. It's what should be done..but people, denominations and networks get in the way of What God wants to do.
We will never have influence in the marketplace of ideas being fragmented. This is true even in commerce. Does this sound familiar?
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-fragmented-industry.htm
I drove by the other church's building last night. The one many of the Members of the Network's church migrated to. Remember there was nearly a merger anyway. It seemed reasonable to do. I did not migrate. This last weekend the other church had 4 services. The building only seats about 200. All this lost opportunity and a chance to make a home base out of which the network could have established a real foothold in the area. Now sadly nothing... All over money and inattention by network leadership.
I mention that because in spending a couple hours in Englewood yesterday I was struck with the large number of storefront churches. None of them of great effect based on what we hear and see. What would happen if in fact churches of 200 were formed from these fragments. They would have real impact and influence in the community and the resources to get the job done. Yet there is always the argument over money. Many of these church leaders get their primary income from the giving of the fragment. Forfeiting that will be very hard. And who is going to lead these churches? I have lived this again and again. It's what should be done..but people, denominations and networks get in the way of What God wants to do.
We will never have influence in the marketplace of ideas being fragmented. This is true even in commerce. Does this sound familiar?
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-fragmented-industry.htm
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