12
Jan
Chuck Booher – Crossroads Christian Church
The church had over $500k of unpaid bills when Chuck took over and were 6 months from closing the doors of a church of over 2000 in attendance. Water and electric were threatening to cut off service. Worship pastor was having an affair. Another staff person was living with her boyfriend. It was an overwhelming problem.
First 3/4 of Chuck’s first year they baptized 480 people.
In 40 days they raised $640,000
Paid off all past due bills in a year.
In the next year they baptized 738 people
Have highest attendance in church’s history
Worship pastor had an affair, fired him, then offered him restoration. He’s been restored in ministry in another church.
It’s hard to tell this story in writing. I wish you all were here to hear it, because a miracle really happened here and it is continuing.
11
Jan
More quotes from Gene Appel
Churches that don’t change die.
Churches can become over-managed and under-led over time.
At the peak of the Organizational S-curve it is critical to make a change.
89% of American Christians asked the question, “Why does the church exist?” answered, “To meet the needs of me and my family.”
Acts 2:42 Churches sometimes don’t experience Acts 2:47 results
Attendance and giving may go up but when asking the question, “How do we measure up to the Biblical principles and purposes of the church?” they (Central Christian in Las Vegas) realized that the Kingdom was not growing because most of their growth was through transfer.
You never want to step back to look at your ministry and realize “I built a crowd, but I did not build a church.”
When we fear change sometimes we forget the eternal significance of unchanged lives. And everything is worth the risk when we take that into account.
10
Jan
A quote for all of you "Change Agents"
If you are called to be a change agent you will never please everyone. So, be ok with just pleasing the One who sent you.