Autopsy of a Deceased Church

Dear friends in Christ, 

I accidentally read a book today.  Wasn't my plan when I woke up; it just happened.

Then I decided to outline the whole thing, and I want to share it with you...

It's called Autopsy of a Deceased Church by Thom Rainer, and I couldn't put it down.  

Please understand: I don't think we're dying at all.  Quite the opposite really.  In many ways this book was a great affirmation of SVLC's health and ministry now, and through many of our years. 

Still, it doesn't hurt to consider these autopsies and ideas, as we prepare to vote on moving forward with our building plans this coming Sunday.  

I know that you're excited and prayerful and perhaps a little nervous about what lies ahead for Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church.  I am too.  But I know that God goes with us, no matter what.

Please read through this brief outline.  Let it be part of your excitement and prayer as you prepare for this big vote.  This book is a tremendous tool!  Autopsies are a gift to the living.

Grace and peace, truly. 

Pastor Dan

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Autopsy of a Deceased Church

by Thom S. Rainer

Former pastor and researcher Thom S. Rainer studied 14 deceased congregations across the country, identifying some striking and evocative commonalities...

Part 1: The Autopsy

• The past is hero.

1. Death by nostalgia.
2. Note: the Biblical heroes (Abraham, Sarah, Ruth, Deborah, Moses, Paul, etc.) all ventured out, resisting the urge to cling to the familiar and the safe.

“...these dying churches focused on their own needs instead of others.  They looked inwardly instead of outwardly.  Their highest priorities were the way they’ve always done it, and that which made them the most comfortable.” (22)

• The church refused to look like the community.

1. The church became a fortress
2. Others first = life.  Me first = death.

“If you talk to the members in a dying church, most will deny that their church is a fortress.  But in our autopsy, we found that is exactly what was taking place.  People in the community did not feel welcome in the church.  Those in the church were more concerned about protecting the way they did church than reaching residents of the community.” (27)

• The budget moved inwardly.

1. Where the money of the church goes, so goes its heart. 
2. Where are the cuts made?

“In all the churches we autopsied, a financial pattern developed over time.  The pattern was one where funds were used more to keep the machinery of the church moving, and to keep members happy, than funding the Great Commission and the Great Commandment.” (36)

• The Great Commission becomes the Great Omission

1. Great Commission Amnesia -- “Go therefore...make disciples, baptize, teach” was forgotten. Or the congregation may even have consciously decided (not just forgot) to leave the Great Commission behind.
2. Often dying churches are longing to replicate the “good old days”.  And it was not unusual for them to blame others in their plight.

“Members of dying churches weren’t willing to go into the community to reach and minister to people...they weren’t willing to invite...they weren’t willing to expend the funds necessary for a vibrant outreach.” (44)

• The Preference-driven Church (for example: “traditional” vs. “contemporary”)

“There were not many indications in the autopsied churches that most members had such a self-sacrificial attitude.  Instead the attitude was self-serving, self-giving, and self-entitled.  It was about me, myself, and I.  Death was inevitable.  The lifeblood of a healthy church is one that is more like the mind of Christ in the members’ attitudes.  Sadly the dying churches rarely had members who were so other-centered.” (50)

• Pastoral tenure decreases (pastors coming and going every 2-3 years)

1. Out of the 14 deceased churches in this study, 10 of them had shorter pastoral tenures (2-3 years).

“When these pastors initiated or suggested change, there was fierce resistance.  They really didn’t see much hope based upon the patterns and the history of the church, so they left.” (60)

           B. Exceptions: The other 4 deceased churches had long-time pastors (11 years +).     But there, the pastors made the decision to adopt the attitude of recalcitrant members: no attempt to lead toward change, have outward focus, or be more like the community in which the church was located.

“...for these pastors, decline and death of the church was preferable to conflict.  They became caretakers of members only.  They sided with the members at any hint of change.”

• The church rarely prayed together.

1. This might seem absurd at first.  Of course churches pray together -- every Sunday!  But when the prayer life of a congregation becomes empty or hurriedly printed off the internet, something is lost.
2. Contrast a dying church with Acts 2:42 -- “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayers.”  “Prayer was not an add-on to give them permission to eat a meal...Prayer was the lifeblood of the early church.” (67)

[former member of a deceased church]: “That was the beginning of the decline that led to our death.  We stopped taking prayer seriously.” (68)

• The church had no clear purpose.

“The members at Philippi knew what they were supposed to do.  They were to live out the gospel.  They were to proclaim the gospel.  They were to partner with Paul in the gospel.  Their purpose was totally and completely gospel-centered.” (75)

“‘We were playing a game called church.’...None of the members asked what they should be doing; they were too busy doing what they’ve always done.” (74)

• The church obsessed over facilities.

1. Church fights have erupted over stained glass windows, pews, draperies, paint color, carpet color, and on and on and on.  
2. “Dying churches...experience severe battles over facility obsession before their demise.” (80)

“Being a good steward of those material things that God has given our churches is good.  Becoming obsessed with any one item to the neglect of God’s mission is idolotry.” (80)

Part 2:  Hope for the dying church: 12 responses

• My church has symptoms of sickness:

1. Pray that God will open the eyes of the leadership and members for opportunities to reach into the community where the church is located.
2. Take an honest audit of how church members spend their time being involved.
3. Take an audit of how the church spends its money.
4. Make specific plans to minister to your community.

• My church is very sick:

1. The church must admit and confess its dire need.
2. The church must pray for wisdom and strength to do whatever is necessary.  
3. The church must be willing to change radically.
4. That change must lead to action and an outward focus.

• My church is dying:

1. Sell the property and give the funds to another church, perhaps a new church that has begun or will soon begin.
2. Give the building to another church.
3. If your church is in a transitional neighborhood, turn over the leadership and property to those who actually reside in the neighborhood.
4. Merge with another church, but let the other church have the ownership and leadership of your church.

“All of these are painful, because all of the options are truly sacrificial.  What you are doing is allowing your church to die, so that another may live.” (101)