5. Staying Churches are highly resistant to change. Many churches today are stuck in a rut. They utilize ministries and strategies that worked decades ago that are no longer fruitful. For a local NT church to reach and impact an ever-changing, ever-evolving community, business as usual cannot be the ministry approach. “Business as usual” carries certain unspoken beliefs. It says evaluating what and why are not important. It says the church is willing to accept mediocrity when God is worthy of excellence. It does not consider the real ministry needs of the community. Staying churches prefer comfortable routines over missional uncertainty. Change is difficult because it requires work. Change is difficult because it requires real sacrifice. Change is difficult because it brings with it the unknown. On the topic of resisting needed change, Thom Rainer in his book, Autopsy of a Deceased Church made this observation about the trajectory of a dying church:

“But dying churches are concerned with-self-preservation. They are concerned with a certain way of doing church. They are all about self. Their doors are closed to the community. And even more sadly, most of the members in the dying church would not admit they are closed to those God has called them to reach and minister.”

 FYI: a rut is a grave with both ends knocked out.

6. Staying Churches believe the church exists to meet the physical, spiritual, and emotional needs of the member exclusively. Many in the church today believe, whether it is spoken or not, the exists for them and their comfort is of the utmost importance. German pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote, “The Church is the Church only when it exists for others…not dominating, but helping and serving. It must tell men of every calling what it means to live for Christ, to exist for others.” For churches to make difference in the communities where they have been planted, there must be a change in the mindset of the congregation. Less inward focus and more outward looking. Less about self and more about others. It is true that churches have a responsibility to minister to members of the congregation in the areas listed above. While it is true, the focus of the church must be on those who do not have a relationship with Jesus Christ.