program church addiction

Small churches dream of being middle size churches. Middle size churches dream of becoming a program church. I have read countless ads in church publications searching for a new minister expressing a desire to grow into a program church.

Why is growth equated with programs?

I have come to the conclusion that our addiction to programs has added to the erosion of ministry in the church. Program churches are filled with anxiety to keep their programs going. Struggling program churches, like the one I am serving, face the reality that there are not enough people, staff or dollars to keep juggling programs. And as I stated above countless smaller churches believe with all their heart if only they became a program church life would be perfect.

Programs are not the answer. Becoming a program church is not our Biblical calling.

Program churches separate people into age groups and interest groups. Programs have a division of ministry and a hierarchy of staff. Program churches are afflicted with high burn out, anxiety to produce bigger and better programs, and in the end worship business/efficiency/risk management rather than faithfulness.

Of course this is my opinion.....an opinion based on a lot of years of experience and a lot of reading and listening.

I've come to the conclusion that the time has come to admit our addiction to the program church model and re-discover ministry the way Jesus lived it.