What makes a church successful?

There is a lot of chatter going around about church failures. Sadly, it is true. Churches are closing their doors at an alarming rate. Why? Simply put, no one is attending, giving or working in them. Some of the churches are closing because of attrition. In other words, the communities have more places to worship than population to accommodate them. This is rare but with some of the rural communities loosing population at an alarming rate, entire towns are closing in some areas. The churches will naturally follow the trend. So, what defines a successful church? From this posting, I will try to give a concise but well thought out answer. Concise because entire books are published about the subject, therefore a simple blog post doesn’t have the space or time to discuss polls, surveys, or trends. What I do hope to accomplish is to stir your heart to look at yourself and determine if you are doing everything God needs to secure His church for the future.

Here are three thoughts based on experiences and observations as a pastor, Christian and disciple of Jesus Christ.

1. The successful church is comprised of successful, dedicated, committed men and women. These men and women are successful in Gods service, dedicated to Gods word and committed to Gods will for their life.
2. The successful church is comprised of men and women who not only look outside the building walls they go outside the building walls to carry the gospel into the community. This effort comes from a desire not an obligation.
3. The successful church is comprised of men and women who are good stewards of the resources God has placed in their personal, family and church life. Stewardship begins with a personal walk with the Lord. Stewardship moves next into the family and their overall approach to the Lord and His will for the individual and family. Stewardship then moves into Christian service and the dedication of faithful service to the Lord through the gifts He has given. From the personal walk flows the financial giving and management, the devotions and Bible study, the ministry and missions of a church member and congregation.

Those who Love the Lord and their neighbor will never go without a place to serve the Lord and will never go without a ministry for the Lord. Unfaithful, uncommitted and unconcerned people may close buildings but the Church will never close it will always be successful.