Is your church maintaining status quo by doing the same things this year as last year – repeating the same efforts, programs, and events? Are the routines of your church so dreary that even the favorite traditions seem lackluster and dead? Does your church do certain things a particular way because that’s the way it’s always been done (tradition)? If you answered yes to any of the three questions above your church is likely in custodial mode.
Churches in Custodial mode operate to hold on to what is left as if waiting for brighter days of the past to return. Every ministry, program, event, effort and every dollar is safeguarded, sheltered, and protected in hopes things do not worsen.
One major hindrance with custodial situations in the church is it almost always restricts any good and positive transformation in the church. Instead what is considered positive is that particulars did not get worse. E.g “We were able to pay all our bills this month.” “The furnace got us through another winter.” While these are worthy and good things in the church, when they become our focus, we have certainly lost our God-given focus and become a custodial church.
God did not call us to be keepers of the furnace, but of the gospel. When we become more concerned about paying the bill for lights than shining His light, we have certainly gotten off track. It is time to call for help. There is plenty of help and assistance available. Not assistance to pay the light bill, but to revitalize God’s church.
Unfortunately in too many churches we will not ask for help, until it is nearly time to permanently close the doors of the church. In conferences and consultations I often ask why. Why is it that we are afraid or unwilling to ask for help and assistance? It does not take long for someone to mention pride. And this is true. Are we so prideful that we would rather see the church close its doors on God’s work, than to admit we need help?
Holding on hoping nothing gets worse is an outward expression of an overprotective custodial situation that will drive a church to its dissolution. We know this is not God’s desire or part of His Great Commission. Therefore, it must be due in part to our self-indulging pride.
God has placed people and organizations around you to assist and come alongside the church to help and to revitalize His work in the local community. If you believe your church is in or headed for custodial mode, do not wait until it is time to lock the doors and walk away. Call on your local, state, or national denomination office and work together to find a solution to revitalize God’s work in the community. If none of these are available locate a church of like faith and order and ask for ideas and help. God has not given up on His church, we cannot give up either. Only God knows the greater days that lie ahead of our churches.
For more information or assistance in your situation contact George Yates and visit SonC.A.R.E. Ministires website.