10 Signs A Church Is In Trouble

Yesterday on The Pastor's Perspective we discussed a study done by Thom Rainer called "10 Signs A Church Is In Trouble."  Here is the list.

1. If the pastor does not have adequate time to be in the Word or if he chooses no to do so.
2. If the members are spending time arguing about how money should be spent.
3. If none or only a few of the key leaders are actively sharing their faith.
4. If there is no clear process of discipleship in place, just a plethora of programs and activities.
5. If corporate prayer is not a major emphasis in the church.
6. If church members are arguing about worship styles or worship times.
7. If church members expect the paid staff to do most of the ministry, instead of the staff equipping the members to do the work of the ministry.  ("Why didn't he visit me in the hospital?")
8. If there are ongoing disagreements about matters of the church facilities.
9. If the church has more meetings than new disciples.
10. If the leadership of the church does not have a coherent plan for what is taught in small groups and Sunday School classes.

Mr. Rainer said that if four or more of these signs were present he would let the leadership know that remedial efforts were in order.  He said that if six or more signs were present then the congregation was in immediate trouble.

Do you see any of these signs in your church?  

The Sin Of One Person

"Up, sanctify the people, and say, Sanctify yourselves against the morrow: for thus saith the Lord God of Israel, There is an accursed thing in the midst of thee, O Israel: thou canst not stand before thine enemies, until ye take away the accursed thing from among you." - Joshua 7:13


Have we ever taken the time to think about the impact our sin can have on other people?  Most of us think that our sin will not affect anyone but ourselves.  However, the Bible makes it clear that the sin of just one person can paralyze an entire nation.  That is a very sobering thought!

In Joshua chapter 7 we read of a man named Achan, who took of the spoils from the Jericho, even though God had forbidden the children of Israel to do so.  I am sure that Achan did not believe that anyone would get hurt as a result of his actions.  However, the sin of Achan cost him and his family their lives.  It also caused Israel to lose a battle they should have easily won and innocent soldiers were killed as a result of his sin.  Israel was denied the victory, power, and the blessing of the Lord!

We must realize that our sin DOES have an impact on others!  Choosing to disobey Christ might cost us His blessing upon our family, or the power of God may be absent from our church because we are disobedient.  It is possible that those around us will have to suffer because of our sin and iniquity.  The Bible says that the obedience of one Christian can bring blessing to others, but it also makes it clear that the unconfessed sin of one Christian will have an impact on those around him.  Remember, one person does make a difference!

Welcome to The Pastor's Perspective!

I would like to welcome you to my blog!  I am the pastor of Fairystone Baptist Church here in Stuart, Virginia and a former missionary to Paraguay, South America.

The primary purpose of my blog is to share Jesus Christ with others.  I also want to share things with you that the Lord has shown me so that others might be encouraged and that they would be drawn closer in their walk with Jesus Christ.  The Word of God is my final authority on everything.  There are going to be times when I do step on toes, including my own!  It is my desire to share thoughts on the Bible and current events from a Biblical perspective.

I pray that you will find my blog to be a blessing and help!  Our Christian walk is a journey, and it should be a time of us growing closer to Christ.  This is something that is desperately needed among Christians and in the Church today!  I also welcome your thoughts and feedback on any of the topics that I share.  I hope that you will visit often so that we have the opportunity to walk and grow together!

God Bless!

1 Corinthians 9:16
Pastor Clint