Church Refocus

May 2008

Have you ever come to a place in your life where you knew that it was time to re-evaluate your direction in life and make major changes? Last year, when I discovered that I had colon cancer, I went through one of those times. I had one of those clarity moments when the shortness of life becomes evident. I knew that I wanted to finish well in my ministry. I had to look at all that I was doing and determine if I was really making the difference that God wanted me to make.

Not only do individuals have to go through times of re-evaluation, churches also need to look hard at themselves and determine if they are doing all that God would want them to do. For churches, this can be a particularly difficult process. Churches, like individuals, can get into ruts. But in a church many individuals must come to the conclusion that a time of introspection and redirection is necessary.

The failure of a church to own up to the need for re-evaluation and change can be fatal to the effectiveness of a congregation. Statistically, we know that most churches are either plateaued or declining. There can be other explanations for this, but I believe that most often the cause is unwillingness to change and find fresh direction from God. It is easy to be in denial about this. It is easy to be satisfied with the status quo and be comfortable with that which we know.

Has your church done anything in the last decade to evaluate its effectiveness? Has your church looked at and implemented new ministries that are making a difference in reaching the community around you? Are you growing, staying the same, or shrinking? Sometimes churches find themselves plateaued or shrinking and blame the pastor. Ministers often provide easy scapegoats when the problem is actually more systemic.

Let me recommend to your church the “Church Refocus” ministry led by Larry Thomas. Larry has been tasked by KNCSB to work in the area of church health. A number of churches in KNCSB have either completed or are in process of completing a series of retreat events that help the church refocus its ministries to see how God would use them in the future. These churches come in all sizes and styles of ministry. Some are urban, and some are rural.

I had the opportunity recently to work with one of the churches that is in this process. I have had opportunity to be involved with two churches that have completed the whole process. It amazes me to see the energy and spiritual direction that this ministry brings to a congregation.

If you would like more information on “Church Refocus,” contact Larry Thomas ( or 316-204-7889).

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