I would recommend that every church conduct a "church conference" from time to time to help them to regain their focus and purpose as a church. One of the best times to do this is shortly after you get a new pastor. Also keep in mind that this church conference isn't intended to have people to point fingers at each other or its leaders. The purpose is to discuss the future direction that the church is heading in. By doing this as a church body it allows everyone to get "re-focused," and to work together to correct any shortcomings. If a church doesn't take time to stop and reflect upon its ministry and direction from time to time, then by the time they realize that they are not where they need to be, it is often too late.

    There are at least five things a biblical church should be doing according to the Scripture (Matt.22:37-40; 28:19-20; Acts 2:42-47).

1. Love the Lord with all your heart (Worship; celebrate God's presence in worship).

2. Love your neighbor as yourself (Ministry; demonstrate God's love through service).

3. Go and make disciples (Evangelism; communicate God's Word through evangelism).

4. Baptizing them (Fellowship; incorporate God's family into fellowship).

5. Teaching them to obey (Discipleship; educate God's people through discipleship).

    In order to honestly seek any direction for your church you must be sure that any action you take will be true to the purpose set forth in the Scripture.

    Make a comparison to the five purposes of a church:

1. Worship.

A. This area can be subjective, because worship starts in the heart.

1) Is there a hunger for God's Word?
2) Is there joy in worship, is it uplifting?
3) Do people look forward to going to church?

B. Giving is usually a good indicator, because it is a part of and an expression of worship.

1) Do people give because they are made to feel guilty if they don't?
2) Do people give freely, because of their love for Christ?

2. Ministry.

A. How many people have taken positions in the church, but have not fulfilled the responsibilities of that position?
B. How many positions go unfilled compared to how many church members you have?
C. What percent of the church membership is active in ministry, compared to those who are not?
D. Are a minority of your members overworked, while the majority are not doing anything?

3. Evangelism.

A. How many people, have the members of this church led to the Lord in the last year?
B. How many people, have church members witnessed to in the last year?
C. Has most of the you church growth over this last year come from new Christians or transfer of membership?

4. Fellowship.

A. How much fellowship takes place beyond the walls of this church?
B. How do you make visitors feel welcome?
C. How do you make new members feel at home and welcome?

5. Discipleship.

A. How well are you training your members?

1) Sunday School?
2) Church Training?

B. Is there any personal, one-on-one, discipleship going on (this is especially important for training up future church leaders)?
C. Is there any weekly bible studies being done by your church members outside the church?

    If your church is doing well in all five areas of church life, then you need to continue on in the same direction. Praise the Lord!

    If something isn't functioning, then it is important that changes be made to correct it. If you ignore the problem, it will only get worse until it finally stops completely. There is only one reason why a church stops functioning as it is intended; SIN. This is true because there has been a willful disobedience by its members (maybe not all, but by most) TO GOD's WORD. The only solution to this problem is for members to wake up and rededicate themselves to the Lord. This is speaking about true revival that brings ALL the people together (not just a few) in heart and mind; and it focuses everyone's eyes upon the Lord and not each other. True revival cannot be scheduled once-a-year, like a doctor's appointment. And true revival brings forth lasting fruit.

True revival requires several things to happen first:
1. It requires true repentance.

A. A broken heart due to your previous sinful attitudes and behavior's.
B. It means a changed life (i.e., a change in direction than before).

1) Inward.
2) Outward.

A. This means obedience to the Lord and His Word.

1) You must stand upon the Objective Word of God alone, and not upon the "I think's," and "I Feel's," of fallible men.
2) This means that your church has to stand upon the unchanging Word of God, and not upon the winds of "Political Correctness" of your culture.

B. It means that you recognize that you are held accountable for what you do, or don't do for the Lord.

A. You have to get involved, and not just hope someone else will do it.

1) God gives EVERY BELIEVER a spiritual gift to use within their church body.
2) The believer is never saved just for salvation's sake, but to service.

B. Christianity requires a life-long commitment.

A. Giving is a part of your worship towards God, and reflects your love for God.
B. This means that you must be willing to give up some of your free time to serve others.

A. This is the life-blood of every church.
B. Sheep produce sheep, and this is the only way that a church will grow and is the only way the church has ever grown.

A. There must always be a 2 way communication with God, at all times, every day.
B. There is something about people kneeling together that makes it hard for them to be mad at each other.

A. This means that even when you don't feel like it, you still make the time to hear and study.
B. This means that you must always keep this as a point of prayer for your lives.
C. This means you need to do more than "open our windows," or have a slice of "Our daily bread," but you take time to study God's Word.
D. This also means that you need to read and study God's whole council, and not just your favorite parts.

    Anything less than a total commitment by the majority of members, will only put the church back to where it is now! The real key to church growth, is found when Christians get right with God; get excited about their relationship with the Lord; get excited about their Church, and only then will they grow! When this happens, Satan himself cannot stop your church from growing.

    This option is for those churches who have reached the point of only having a few members left, and want to revive their church. This would require your church to seek and receive help from a larger church in your area. This principle can be found in Nehemiah 11, where Nehemiah asked for a tithe of the people living around Jerusalem to come and live in Jerusalem to help re-establish the city. If your church would want to try this option, it would be best to work through your Association (they would know who and how to approach this option). The problem with this option is that most churches today do not want to give up anybody in their congregations, and people normally don't want to become involved with churches who are in trouble. However, there have been large churches who have developed teams (church leaders, teachers, etc.) who have done this and helped to rebuild churches. When this happens, normally the "Sister Church" will send a team of people who join your church, and stay until your church reaches a certain number of members; then the team members return to their home church. If your church decides to go with this option, then you MUST COOPERATE and give up some CONTROL of your church, because the team members are there for the good of the whole church. Very few dying churches will not opt for this option for the very reason of "control." And their sinful pride will lead to the total closure of their church. You must all remember that it is the Lord's Church, and not "yours."

    An easier solution is to seek another church of "like faith," to merge with. Especially if you have better facilities and are in a better location (i.e., well seen, easy access, etc.).
 

    This is the ultimate sacrifice. People must put aside their own feelings for the greater good of the people and community. This means that you must keep your eyes on what would best reach the community and will bring glory to the Lord.

1. Planting the seed of growth means that you must close the church so that it can re-open later with a new ministry and name.

A. Set the date and close the church.
B. The church trustees should oversee all the required actions.
C. Pay staff at least 1 month pay (more if the church is able) since the church's decision has a direct impact upon their livelihood.
D. Notify all members that they have only 6 months to transfer their membership.
E. Church Property.

1) Transfer church property to Association, along with funds that will help them pay any remaining bills, and to have funds to give to the new ministry.
2) Or sell property; which would mean that the church should make a decision of where the excess money would go (i.e., missions, ministries, etc.).

A. Have the Association work with its contacts to begin and support a new church work.
B. Reopen church under new name and begin a new work.

    Although some may feel that this option points to failure, in reality it should bring joy to the hearts of those Christians who loved the Lord enough to insure the gospel message and ministry has a chance to survive and grow in their community.

    This is where the rubber hits the road. This is where you must be honest with yourselves! This is where you must put your personal pride aside for the good of the whole church, and for the glory of the Lord. While we all view our churches as our "Church Home," we must remember that our churches are not our "Personal Possession." Your church is the Lord's and no one else's! At best we are stewards of the Lord's church, and as such we must always seek what is in the best interest of the Lord, and not ourselves.

    When you discover that there is something wrong, don't be afraid to change. Don't look upon this as a personal failure or to place the blame upon someone else, but look at it as an opportunity to please the Lord. So don't be afraid to set a course of action, and if it doesn't work, then don't be afraid to try something else! And finally get behind your church leadership and support them in their efforts to lead the church into the right relationship with the Lord.