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8 Causes of Concern for Bible Belt Churches
About this Episode
Podcast Episode #279
When I look at what is happening in the Bible Belt, there are causes for concern as well as opportunities for growth. Today we look at why there is concern and how you can overcome those concerns.
Some highlights from today's episode include:
* Culture and people have changed over time, but many churches have not.
* Many churches refuse to admit that the world around them is changing.
* Cultural Christianity no longer exists—even in the Bible Belt.
* Sometimes a church's habits become "the only way something can be done."
* Some people are more obedient to the traditions of a church than they are to the Bible.
* If you want to find out what a church's idols are, start changing the bylaws.
* How do you change the culture in an established church? Slowly.
The eight causes of concern for Bible Belt churches we discuss are:
* They don’t recognize the decline in cultural Christianity.
* They have many “church rules.”
* They have leaders who have never led in a highly unchurched mission field.
* They confuse traditions with truth.
* They do outreach the way they’ve always done it.
* They have significant conflict due to frustration.
* They are very slow to respond.
* They have significant facility challenges.
Episode Sponsors
Are you getting prepared for the changing ministry landscape? Get your Master of Divinity degree at Midwestern Seminary. The M.Div—Midwestern’s flagship degree program—is their primary track for ministry preparation. At just 81 hours, the Midwestern M.Div offers a complete foundation for full-time ministry leaders, offering everything you need, and nothing you don’t. Join other students in vibrant Kansas City as you train in a unique collaborative environment focused on the local church or study online in your current ministry context. Midwestern Seminary is developing a new culture of discipleship devoted to the local church and committed to taking God’s unchanging Word into a rapidly changing world. Join the movement today.
Find out more at mbts.edu/mdiv.
Vanderbloemen Search Group is the premier pastor search firm dedicated to helping churches and ministries build great teams. They’ve helped hundreds of churches just like yours find their church staff and are uniquely geared to help you discern who God is calling to lead your church.
Find out more about Vanderbloemen Search Group by visiting WeStaffTheChurch.com.
Feedback
If you have a question you would like answered on the show, fill out the form on the podcast page here on Church Answers.
Resources Mentioned in Today's Podcast
* Eight Reasons Many Bible Belt Churches Are in Trouble
* Pastors and Writing with Jared C. Wilson – Rainer on Leadership #269
* Who Moved My Pulpit?
* 50 State + Canada Virtual Tour
When I look at what is happening in the Bible Belt, there are causes for concern as well as opportunities for growth. Today we look at why there is concern and how you can overcome those concerns.
Some highlights from today's episode include:
* Culture and people have changed over time, but many churches have not.
* Many churches refuse to admit that the world around them is changing.
* Cultural Christianity no longer exists—even in the Bible Belt.
* Sometimes a church's habits become "the only way something can be done."
* Some people are more obedient to the traditions of a church than they are to the Bible.
* If you want to find out what a church's idols are, start changing the bylaws.
* How do you change the culture in an established church? Slowly.
The eight causes of concern for Bible Belt churches we discuss are:
* They don’t recognize the decline in cultural Christianity.
* They have many “church rules.”
* They have leaders who have never led in a highly unchurched mission field.
* They confuse traditions with truth.
* They do outreach the way they’ve always done it.
* They have significant conflict due to frustration.
* They are very slow to respond.
* They have significant facility challenges.
Episode Sponsors
Are you getting prepared for the changing ministry landscape? Get your Master of Divinity degree at Midwestern Seminary. The M.Div—Midwestern’s flagship degree program—is their primary track for ministry preparation. At just 81 hours, the Midwestern M.Div offers a complete foundation for full-time ministry leaders, offering everything you need, and nothing you don’t. Join other students in vibrant Kansas City as you train in a unique collaborative environment focused on the local church or study online in your current ministry context. Midwestern Seminary is developing a new culture of discipleship devoted to the local church and committed to taking God’s unchanging Word into a rapidly changing world. Join the movement today.
Find out more at mbts.edu/mdiv.
Vanderbloemen Search Group is the premier pastor search firm dedicated to helping churches and ministries build great teams. They’ve helped hundreds of churches just like yours find their church staff and are uniquely geared to help you discern who God is calling to lead your church.
Find out more about Vanderbloemen Search Group by visiting WeStaffTheChurch.com.
Feedback
If you have a question you would like answered on the show, fill out the form on the podcast page here on Church Answers.
Resources Mentioned in Today's Podcast
* Eight Reasons Many Bible Belt Churches Are in Trouble
* Pastors and Writing with Jared C. Wilson – Rainer on Leadership #269
* Who Moved My Pulpit?
* 50 State + Canada Virtual Tour
Hosts & Guests
No transcript available for this episode.
