Most of our churches have at least one – that is, a program that’s not working anymore. The activity goes on, but it’s now more a habit than a transformational ministry. Here are several options to address this kind of ministry:
- Devote specific prayer toward that ministry. This is the starting point for all these approaches. God might miraculously resurrect a ministry, or He might grant you grace to take some necessary but hard steps. Even if you decide it’s best to shut down a ministry, do it through genuine prayer support.
- Grow around it. Unless the ministry is draining resources like dollars and people (and many ineffective ministries no longer consume much), it might be possible to leave it in place without hindering your growth. For example, the older men’s fellowship group may not reach many people, but it’s likely not in the way, either. You might choose to let it be.
- Celebrate the heritage, and re-invigorate leaders. Even dying ministries likely had a “heyday” in the past. Participants can still “remember when” the ministry was stronger. Be open to hearing those stories. Then, work personally with the leaders to revitalize the program.
- Find new leaders. Quite often, a ministry is ineffective because the wrong leader is in charge. Putting in place a leader who has renewed vision and passion can make a huge difference, even in a ministry that seems to be dying today.
- Update the focus of the ministry. What worked last decade (or, frankly, even last year) may not work today. You might need to change the name of the program, update the curriculum you study, or redirect the general focus of the ministry. In essence, you’re revitalizing your church one ministry at a time.
- Combine it with another ministry. It might be, for example, that the dying outreach ministry should be more connected with the small group ministry. Or, the various missions ministries will function better under one umbrella. You can strengthen more than one ministry by merging some.
- Let it die a natural death. Dying ministries don’t replenish themselves. If you are willing to wait long enough without being distracted from your vision in the meantime, many will die on their own. When they do, be sure to minister to those few for whom that ministry has been life-giving.
- Graciously close it down. Note the adverb first: graciously. Do it well, but here are some general indicators to consider it’s time to shut down a ministry:
- The resources committed to this ministry are draining other ministries without producing life change.
- The ministry contradicts or distracts from the church’s vision.
- The ministry turns the church inward, with no intention or connection to turning the church in an outward direction.
What other options would you add?
I’ve found it hard to allow ministries to die a natural death while the older members are still committed to them in theory–and for nostalgia’s sake, as likely as not–but not committed enough to keep them going themselves. They ask, “Why aren’t the young people taking over leadership with _____?” But the young people are not passionate about those ministries. They are fulfilling the church’s vision in other ways.
True, Andrew. Sometimes a natural death is slow.
Do a double-take! Celebrate 2 things; what God did in that Ministry in the past, and also Celebrate what God is doing now, in a different Ministry effort.
Thanks, Ron.