By Dr. Curtis McGinnis
When did you last cry out to God for help when you sensed your all wasn’t enough? Jim Cymbala, in his classic work, Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire, says, “Carol and I had frankly admitted to each other that unless God broke through, the Brooklyn Tabernacle was doomed. We couldn’t finesse it along. We couldn’t organize and market and program our way out.”
As I work with churches across the upper Midwest, I find that churches and their leaders are trying harder and seemingly seeing diminishing returns. Recent data suggest that three-fourths of all churches are plateauing or declining. What can churches do when attendance is declining, pulpits are empty, and apathy is how you would best describe the state of attendees?
A Lesson from King Asa
King Asa was the third king of the southern kingdom of Judah. He was known for “doing what was good and right in the eyes of the Lord.” His story is found in 2 Chronicles 14-16 and 1 Kings 15. Early in King Asa’s reign, peace ruled the land. When conflict eventually came, “Asa called to the Lord his God and said, ’Lord, there is no one like you to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, Lord our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this vast army. Lord, you are our God; do not let mere mortals prevail against you’” (2 Chronicles 14:11, New International Version).
Asa started his reign depending on God and did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. But as his victories mounted and his kingdom expanded, so did his pride. He began believing he could win by his strength, strategy, and skill and forgot to rely on God. “Because you relied on the king of Aram and not on the Lord your God, the army of the king of Aram has escaped from your hand” (2 Chronicles 16:7). As Asa continued to grow older, he only became more defiant and reliant on his abilities and those of men. He continued to cast aside God who had helped him in the early years of his reign. “In the thirty-ninth year of his reign Asa was afflicted with a disease in his feet. Though his disease was severe, even in his illness he did not seek help from the Lord, but only from the physicians” (2 Chronicles 16:12).
One of the great dangers of the modern church is that we have come to rely on our thinking, strength, wit, and skill and believe we can strategize, market, and promote our way out of the place in which we and our churches find ourselves. But could it be that, like King Asa, God is waiting for us to turn and look to him? The words expressed to King Asa ring in my ear: “For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” (2 Chronicles 16:9).
Applying the Lesson from Asa
With a solid base and reliance on God, here are a few practical ideas to get you thinking about how to apply the lesson from King Asa.
Pray and Fast. This should go without saying, but again, it is too easy to look past. David Roadcup and Michael Eagle wrote an excellent book titled, Prayer and Fasting: Moving with the Spirit to Renew our Minds, Bodies, and Churches. This book could serve as a great primer for what God wants to do in and through you and your church.
Collaborate with other churches. Find another local Christian church and gather the elder teams for prayer, study, encouragement, and collaboration. Don’t let your autonomy and independence lead to isolation from other brothers and sisters in Christ. We have observed churches beginning to collaborate in Wisconsin and Minnesota, and the churches are better for it because they need each other and are better together.
Seek outside help. Groups like the one I lead (Crossroads Church Partners) and e2 have wonderful resources to serve and come alongside congregations. Don’t be too proud to ask for help; we each have different gifts and skills to help serve the body of Christ.
Serve your community. Find and create a niche ministry. Find the neediest group far from God and build a ministry/mission to serve them! Karl Vaters talks about a small, aging congregation that began to be known for providing funeral meals. Through their efforts, they were able to engage and reach their community in ways they never imagined.
As you look to God for help, you will be amazed at how he breaks through and reveals ways for you and your church to advance his kingdom on earth, as it is in heaven.
Curtis McGinnis serves as the Executive Director of Crossroads Church Partners and on the coaching bench for e2: effective elders.
0 Comments