This blog is to facilitate conversations on practice, problems and issues relating to church planting and growth. So, come with your questions and help us with the answers. Let us learn together.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Getting started
What should we do with people who leave the church for no obvious reasons?
This is a great question, Johan. It does require context and definition for the answers may be different. In Europe, with a few exceptions, leaving the church is obvious, even if the reasons are not. In Atlanta, Georgia we may never know if someone leaves. In fact, we may never know they came because of the size of some of the churches.
However, the simple answer to your questions is "ask them" why they left. And do it in a context that is non- threatening - i.e. couple with couple or guy/guy girl/girl. A glass of two of good wine in the course of the conversation might not hurt either. One may find that the church is missing something critical to it's success or that the dearly departed ones are themselves critical.
Reality is...conversation is a must. Silence doesn't work.
Make a non-threatening visit or an invitation to come to the house, have a conversation where the church representative is humble and vulnerable. It is a great exercise to learn, listens without arguing. Johan
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ReplyDeleteThis is a great question, Johan. It does require context and definition for the answers may be different. In Europe, with a few exceptions, leaving the church is obvious, even if the reasons are not. In Atlanta, Georgia we may never know if someone leaves. In fact, we may never know they came because of the size of some of the churches.
ReplyDeleteHowever, the simple answer to your questions is "ask them" why they left. And do it in a context that is non- threatening - i.e. couple with couple or guy/guy girl/girl. A glass of two of good wine in the course of the conversation might not hurt either. One may find that the church is missing something critical to it's success or that the dearly departed ones are themselves critical.
Reality is...conversation is a must. Silence doesn't work.
Thank you Gary,
DeleteMake a non-threatening visit or an invitation to come to the house, have a conversation where the church representative is humble and vulnerable. It is a great exercise to learn, listens without arguing.
Johan