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Don’t Do It All, Part Four
When we started LifeChurch.tv eleven years ago, I always felt like we weren’t a “real” church. To me, real churches had permanent buildings, VBS, Christmas programs, choirs, women’s ministries, etc.
Before long, we started trying to do everything “real” churches do. Yet many of these activities didn’t bring people to Christ, help those in need, or foster genuine Christ-centered community.
Instead of adding ministries, we started cutting some:
- We stopped doing church sponsored sports. Why take believers out of corporate leagues to put them together in Christian leagues?
- We stopped VBS because we reached more kids for Christ each weekend than we did during VBS (and with a lot less money and effort).Â
- We stopped doing concerts because we were basicly providing entertainment for Christians.
- We stopped doing dozens of other things that Jesus never did but almost every church in America wants to do.
(I am not against these things. Your ministry might do one or more of these things exceptionally well and reach people with them. But we weren’t.)Â
We decided to focus on what we could do best to reach people:
- Weekend Experiences
- Life Groups
- Missions
- Kids
- Youth
Maybe instead of adding ministries you might consider pruning the vine!
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I couldn’t agree more Craig. We are discovering that simple, focused, strategic, and excellently executed is what works for us… the temptation is to keep adding stuff on, often with diminishing results.
[...] Craig Groeschel talks about how that has played out at LifeChurch.tv in his post, Don’t Do It All, Part Four. It is interesting that he talks about how he didn’t feel it was a “real” church. I have struggled with those ideas as well especially when I was confronted by some members of my launch team some time back making that very claim. It was hard to hear because I loved them and respected them a lot and I still do but it was also needed to open my eyes even more. What is a “real” church? What is “real” worship? What “really” changes lives? [...]
It’s truly the Hedgehog Concept.
Understanding what your organization truly has the potential to be the very best at and sticking to it. Then allocate your resources to those areas. Anything that doesn’t fit your Hedgehog Concept - don’t do it.
Most organizations drift through various programs, product offerings, promotions, campaigns, etc… - most of which do not support their vision (if they have one).
Those organizations that are successful have a focused vision and understand what they do best.
Scott, I’m glad you brought up the Hedgehog. Collins might ask, “At what can your ministry be the best at in the world?”
Craig…you have really pushed me on conceptualizing what church is, what it is supposed to be, what we are here for, and and how I see myself in it.
Over the next 18 to 24 months, what do you see LC doing that leaves other churches saying “you can’t do that with a church”. Is this the 50-n-5 vision…church partnerships, etc?
Scott…great point…focus on/discover your passion.
I could not agree more, with this not so new concept. As you said “these are things that Jesus never did, and yet almost every church in America wants to do”. My husband and I are always trying to find ideas, of what we can do to reach out and meet the “real” needs of the community around us! We as the people truley are the church, and not the building we meet in (or not=).
Is Your Church a Superstore or Speciality Store?
The Superstore vs. Speciality Store
Is your church like a superstore, trying to offer everything that the other churches around you offer? Or, are you like the specialty store that offers some of the same items, some different items, and better custo…
Thanks for the blog post and putting the time into it Craig! I was introduced to your church through a friend during your money series. I quickly though moved over to your past series on Disciples. During that series you mentioned mentoring someone One-on-one. Is this something you still pursue even in your “over run� schedule? Being a disciple of Jesus and what that means has become a focal point in my life along with Matthew 8:22, “Pursue life! Follow Me!� (MSG)
Thanks for your ministry and your time! Changing the world one disciple at a time!
Ray
Ray, Thanks for the kind words. I am involved discipling some staff members, but can’t take on any more. Congrats on making Jesus the focal point of your life!
That is what I was after, wondering if you still had this as a practice in your life. I would say taking on another would be a part of “doing too much.” Just wanted to know if it was still something God had on your heart. The individual focus vs the multitude. Keep it up! i am looking forward to reading the “Confessions” when I can get my hands on it! God bless and keep Following Jesus!
We have taken the approach within our church that the ministry that happens whatever it is is driven by individuals who sense that God is leading them to do something. We had a VBS program for many years, but when the person who had the vision for VBS moved away so our VBS came to an end for several years. Last summer we again had a person who had the vision for VBS and so it was back on again. We have taken the position that people with specific gifts and passions should be encouraged and supported in their ministry efforts. My job as a pastor is to provide training and teaching (spiritual or otherwise), encourgament and resources for them to do the work that God has called them to. Most of the time things go well in our efforts sometimes it does not, but we believe it is a risk we are willing to take.
[...] In fact, I think LifeChurch’s pastor Craig Groeschel alludes to this in a recent post called Don’t Do It All saying why they choose, for instance, not to do Vacation Bible School and other ministry activites … and that he’s “not against these things. Your ministry might do one or more of these things exceptionally well and reach people with them. But we weren’t.” [...]
Interesting concept, one that contains much truth.
Like Billy Sunday once said, “The church today is like a canary in a cage. Much activity, but no progress.”
[...] Well, Craig Groeschel, SP of LifeChurch.tv, talks about cutting out certain ministries. [...]
Since our church has gone multisite we have made the very same shifts in our church and we now focus on five things as well..Weekend Experience, Missions, Leadership, Next Generation and small groups. It has really helped us focus on what’s important. not only has this helped our church but I believe its helped our staff focus in on keeping their lives simple and Christ centered.
To Pageant or Not To Pageant
After more years than I can count, Christ Fellowship is cancelling this years “South Florida Easter Pageant”. The pageant, which has been a staple in the community, was put on hold this year. The decision was made by our Worship
[...] Craig Groeschel from LifeChurch.tv has a post about how the church selected four key outreach programs and focuses all of their resources on them. Church Marketing Sucks says it best: “What?! No VBS? No choir? No women’s ministry? (gasp)”. [...]
[...] Craig Groeschell of the wildly growing LifeChurch.tv—who was on ministerial staff of my college church—is urging that congregations drop everything that doesn’t directly further their missions. For LifeChurch, that meant dropping concerts, sports leagues, and Vacation Bible School. What might your congregation drop? [...]