Components that Encumber Church Revitalization Part VIII

Number Eight – Control Factions within the Church

“Not in my Church!” the elder might say. “We have been doing it this way for forty years now and I see no reason the stop doing it the way we have always done it” another might say. Another component that often encumbers the process of church revitalization and renewal is when power cravers and power consumers begin to operate within the church.  New ideas and new methodologies are often squelched within these types of churches simply because the power brokers did not think them up!  I often say to the churches I am coaching in revitalization: “If you are not willing to invest a minimum of 3-5 years in the process, don’t seek to revitalize your church!”  Part of that is because I know it will take time to gain the trust and cooperation of the power brokers within the church.  Cliques also known as power consumers usually follow tenured leaders that have little to do with the real leadership of the church. Winning these individuals will take some wins under your belt before they give you their approvals.