Current Thoughtsfrom Dwight’s Corner
Current ThoughtsJanuary 9, 2007
It has been reported that 80% of the churches in the United States are plateaued or declining.
Unless they are able to discover and successfully negotiate a path to renewal (or
redevelopment or transformation, depending on your language), the overwhelming majority of
protestant churches in America will disappear in the next 25 years. Anxiety among pastors and
church members has spawned a cottage industry of conferences, consulting firms, coaching
networks and books all promising to renew the church.
Usually the books and articles take one of two paths. Some tend to be academic and
diagnostic. Others are rigidly formulaic, prescriptive and even unforgiving (and often
incompatible with Baptist congregational culture). Recently I have become aware of a third
path—denial. Those writers insist that everything is fine and will work itself out, just relax.
More than one pastor have found themselves “moving on” after trying to apply a sure-fire strategy
for renewal. More than one church has surrendered to futility after putting up a brave skirmish
based on someone else’s battle plan for renewal. Now our own David Laubach has jumped into
this maelstrom with his recent book 12 Steps to Congregational Transformation: A Practical
Guide for Leaders (published by Judson Press). Does Dr. Laubach bring anything new to the
situation?
The short answer is “No.” David brings no startling new research data or unexpected analysis
of the situation. He has not discovered a grand “theory of everything” (TOE) that explains
church renewal. He has not received from God the true map to ecclesiastical Shangri-La.
What my good friend has done is distill an incredible range of authors into less than 150 pages
of winsome, engaging, practical guidance for churches feeling God’s call to prevail into the 21st
Century.
Those of us who have studied church renewal (and related areas) for the last 20 years will
recognize the work of Nancy Ammerman, Tom Bandy, George Barna, George Bullard, Jim
Collins, Robert Dale, Bill Easum, Richard Foster, Daniel Goleman, Patrick Lencioni, Loren
Mead, Brian McLaren, Reggie McNeal, Roy Oswald, and Eugene Peterson. It is obvious that
Dr. Laubach is not some uninformed newcomer, but has read and studied widely.
David gathers his presentation under the metaphor of a “twelve step program.” I think that is a
good image on several counts. It reinforces the essential idea that church renewal is a process
akin to dealing with addictions. Transformation is something that takes time, involves pain,
never really comes to an end, and can be treated without demonizing the patient.
The book is practical. For example, Step 9 is “Make the Connections.” At the very beginning
David identifies four connections that need to be made: (1) Connect with the culture, (2)
connect with the context, (3) connect with the congregation, and (4) connect with scriptural
precedents. This is followed by a real-life story. Then each of the four connections is
explained. Finally, the step concludes with suggestions for further reflection or action (good for
group studies).
The book is full of insights that often escape pastors and churches struggling with renewal, such
as: “Awareness of a congregation’s emotional location is more important than knowing the
church’s zip code….” “There is always spiritual warfare when we seek to grow spiritually and
strengthen Christ’s church.” “There can be no cheap transformation.” “Because church renewal
is a process, it requires a spirit of cooperation.” “Don’t retro-fit your church to be Seeker-
Sensitive, GenX-Friendly, or PostModern-Emergent for the wrong reasons.”
The best thing about this book is that it is easily accessible for lay leaders in a church. Unlike
many in this genre, I would not hesitate to recommend it to my entire leadership team. In fact, I
would use it for ongoing study among the leadership, and invite the entire congregation to read
the book. It would not be difficult to turn each step and its scriptural connection into a sermon
series. Twelve Steps to Congregational Transformation is a good entrée into an intimidating
array of analyses, opinions, and resources.
I share this with you because I am concerned. I am concerned about our denomination. I am
more concerned (because I am more focused) about our Region. But I am most concerned
about churches, because churches are the most important thing.
The concern is not about the
resilience of God, or the sufficiency of Christ, or the persistent witness of the Holy Spirit. The
concern is about our faithfulness to what God has called us to be as the community of faith,
citizens in the Kingdom of Heaven, and family members in the household of God. God is doing
some wonderful things among churches in the Great Rivers Region. It is always exciting and
inspiring to share those stories. Unfortunately, those stories are the exception rather than the
rule.
Twelve Steps is one of the 34 books I read in 2006 as recently reported to my colleagues
during a staff meeting. From that list, I also commend to you:
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