Change or Die

I’ve been in Cincinnati this week for a convention. I was on the Executive Committee this year for this convention that has been around for 80 years. Parkview is not a part of a denomination but there is a group of churches that we identify with and partner with and this is our once a year, national convention. It’s not about setting policy or deliberating doctrine; it’s just an inspirational gathering to help strengthen our churches and encourage the leaders.

This convention was really good. We had some great “outside” speakers and heard some excellent sermons and workshops from our top leaders. But I couldn’t help feel the underlying murmuring of “what used to be.” The glory years of this gathering are well behind us. Like all organizations, the life cycle moves on toward demise unless you radically alter the course of direction. It’s possible that we don’t need this convention any more. I think we still do, but it’s possible. We have tried to change it (and you know how that goes). Whenever you make changes to an organization some people embrace it and say, “it’s about time.” Others tell you to quit messing with it because they like it the way it was.

But the truth of the matter is that organizations that don’t change – die.

As I work with this group of leaders and pastors on this convention, it seems to be a microcosm of the whole work of Christianity. This is the 21st century. 20th century stuff doesn’t work any more. Most churches I know are still operating in the 20th century (many are MID 20th century – you walk in and wonder where Beaver is). Many Christian organizations are behind the times.

I’m not working through all of these musings to tell you how I have got something figured out here. I’m just contemplating what that all means to Parkview. Obviously most people walk into our church and instantly realize that they “this is not their father’s Oldsmobile.” We are as contemporary as any church in our area.

But that doesn’t mean we always will be!

The key to healthy organizations is to find a way to keep changing – even programs that are going well – so that you never get to the down side of the curve. It’s easier to keep growing when you change while you are growing, and not after you’ve realized it’s “change or die.”

Now I know that all of this sounds like a big set up for some big new change we’ve decided to make, but it’s not. We’re going to keep doing what we’re doing. But we ARE going multi site next fall in Lockport. We are going to build a chapel as a video venue on the weekends. All of these are very new ways of doing church, and they might not work – but we will try them. You already know about all of that, I don’t have anything to tell you now except that I have witnessed what happens when you don’t make changes quick enough.

This convention was excellent. Probably one of the best we’ve ever had. But it was not the best attended. It’s on a downward turn. I don’t want to see that happen to Parkview, so I’m just telling you that the Elders and Pastors of this church are always out there fishing around to try to figure out where our culture is going – so that we can meet them here with something relevant.

Jesus said, “The gates of Hades will not prevail against his church.” But that’s not a promise for Parkview. It’s for the Church – big C. Parkview will have to work hard to adapt and to retool itself to continue to reach people for Christ.

I will see you this weekend,

Tim

Comments

[Jim Tomberlin]

Hello Tim,
Just saw your blog for the first time today and was delighted to read that Parkcview Church has begun to go down the multi-site/venue path.
I am a veteran pastor who pioneered the multi-campus strategy at Willow Creek and now serve the Body of Christ as a multi-site consultant. As a pioneer practitioner and consultant in the multi-site movement, I have had the privilege of helping numerous churches around the country develop and implement their multi-campus strategy.
You can visit my website at ThirdQuarterConsulting.com to see what I do and some of the churches I have served.
Let me know if I can be of service to you. It would be an honor to assist you in fulfilling your redemptive potential.
Here to serve,
Jim

[Donna Jones]

Dear Pastor Tim,

I am so grateful to see your vision for parkview. Matt and I belonged to a church who refused to change with the times for worship and other areas in the church. The church has not almost completed died.

I thank God everyday for pcc if it wasnt for this church our marriage would of been long gone. and our growth would of been gone too.

I love going to church now for the firs time in 20 yrs. and my newly saved husband feels so at home and is serving the lord now.

I am encouraged every week by the word.

love in christ

Donna Jones