We are creatures needing affirmation. And the spotlight seems to promise us everything we?ve ever wanted. Whether it?s an actual spotlight on the platform, in front of an adoring congregation, or a more passive spotlight ? perhaps you glow under the praise of a certain leader ? it?s natural that we seek out opportunities in which we can shine at our best.
One of the problems I see plaguing unhealthy environments is ego. Ego can be loud and abrasive or it can be subtle and deceiving. Either way, it?s the antithesis of the character of Christ.
Society today is competitive. We feel that our voices must be the loudest and carry the furthest in order to be heard and validated. It breaks my heart when I hear pastors of small churches say, ?we only had seventy-five people today? or ?only two hundred people showed up.?
Only? I?m sorry. Are those seventy-five or two hundred people not enough for you?
I am not going go into length discussing the perceived importance of numbers. Keeping track of ?how many? is a valid metric to measure some kinds of effectiveness in what we are doing. Numbers do represent people. Christ did say that he would grow his Church.
However, our view is so limited as far as what that actually looks like in our church today.
Unfortunately, I think numbers have become an addiction. We flaunt our numbers, we despise our numbers, we fret about our numbers. Our numbers can validate us. But they shouldn?t. We have absolutely no right to know how God is using us. We only need to know he is, and be grateful.
This spirit of competitiveness (whether clearly stated or implied) has damaged so many churches and leaders who haven?t seen the same ?success.? After hearing it over and over again, leaders who aren?t as ?successful? start believing the lies that maybe God just hasn?t blessed them like he ?blesses? other churches or leaders. And at that point, those leaders either shut down or they begin to be driven by their need for man?s affirmation.
Just yesterday, I met with a church leader. She went to a church creative leadership conference (and she is self-admittedly a conferenceaholic, loving to meet other leaders to encourage and network). But after walking through some hard times in her own church and ministry, at the conference, she sat on the back row and wept.
“How can I ever keep up with this? I’m just not good enough.”
Looking back, she knows that nobody is good enough and it is by the grace of God we do what we can do, but when most churches are under or around 500 people, with little resources, although aspects of these conferences are practical…it seems like a lot of times, they can do more damage than good.
Not because a host intendeds to flaunt their stuff. Not because they are able to hire professionals when someone else is lucky to have found Bob who can play guitar on Sundays. But because the church culture has gotten so competitive. And it’s happened so slowly, we don’t even notice it.
When we think our calling is to be the biggest, the most creative, or the best, we have completely lost sight of the only important fact.
And that is that we are called.
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[this is an excerpt that may or may not be cut from Mad Church Disease. thought i’d give yall a little peek as i finish editing this week].
Comments
53 responses to “THE COMPETITION-DRIVEN CHURCH”
Right on Anne! This particular spirit of competition leads to nothing healthy or productive for the Kingdom.
I think we can all fall victim to this temptation. Whether it’s weekend attendance, unique visitors to our blogs, or bank accounts. We love to use numbers to validate our existence and worth.
Welcome back Anne. There’s some good words there.
and not only are we called…we are called by the BIGGEST, MOST CREATIVE, and BEST God and Father!!! we are called by the Creator of this universe to be a part of what He wants to do in the world around us…THAT’S AWESOME!!!
yesterday everything seemed to go wrong from the start!!!people were late…equipment wasn’t working…our “numbers were down”…i was tongue twisted…and then i went to an intro instead of back into the verse…OH NO!!!
but afterwards there were two people who shared that it was there first time and God was really spoke to them…they will definitely be back and will bring their families…those two out weigh the rest!!!
God is sooo much bigger than us!!!
Great stuff Anne…as always…and i love the new pic!!!
Great writing.
Great post. While we shouldn’t be casual in our approach to Sundays (or church overall) we can tend to forget that it’s the Holy Spirit that changes lives, not the excellence of a banner graphic.
There’s nothing inherently wrong with looking to other churches for ideas, advice, or strategy, as long as we remember that we need the diversity of the body, not the homogeneity of it, to fully express the kingdom of God. Be who YOU are called to be as a church!
See… I’m very competitive when it comes to this kind of thing. But I don’t view the competition as other churches. I view the competition as Satan.
I had another pastor ask me as I was just starting this church-planting thing, “if you get a ways down the road, and you only have 200 people coming, will you be satisfied?”
I told him yes, but after I hung up the phone, I thought more and more about it. The truth is, no, I wouldn’t be satisfied. There are over 150,000 people in NWAR who don’t go to church. Satan in winning the war for many of the souls in Fayetteville. And until every single person in NWAR comes to know and follow Jesus, I won’t be satisfied. If we’re only bringing in 200 people a week, and people in our community are still dying and going to hell, then we’ll do something different. We’ll change something up in order to win the war.
We’re not competing against other churches, we’re competing against the rulers of darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness. And we’ll do whatever it takes short of sin to win.
I think this happens with Christians in general. Imagine if the blog world applied this thinking too.
SO well said, anne!
“We have absolutely no right to know how God is using us. We only need to know he is, and be grateful.”
those are some of the most insightful words of yours i have read. :)
we who are in Christ are called to be perfected in heart – made holy. if…IF…other cool things happen along the way, so be it.
i was just reminded of Ortberg’s message from Summit at WCCC last year: the lure of the “shadow mission”.
(btw, hook a brother up and add him back to your “following” on twitter :))
Anne,
Thanks for a well timed, and greatly needed post. I am grateful.
Thanks, Anne–
My husband and I have been talking a lot about ego in ministry (or rather, ego in US), and you’re so right: “it’s the antithesis of the character of Christ.” I’m very guilty of craving the “praise of a certain leader.” Granted, he’s a great leader, but he isn’t Jesus. :) This post is a just what I needed to hear. Thank you so much.
And thanks, too, for the chocolate salad recipe on twitter. :)
Amy Storms
almost cried in my coffee *again.*
I went to church for the first time when I was 28. I walked into the tiniest church and fell in love. I stayed for years before it disbanded and the Pastor went to serve God elsewhere.
After that I walked in to the biggest church I’d ever been to and was blown away. I couldn’t believe the difference in approach and delivery and creativity, etc.
That was almost 4 years ago. And in that time I’ve visited lots of other churches including North Point.
I’m a communications director so you’d think I’d have something more intelligent to say on this subject…but you know what, it’s all the same to me.
The only thing I’ve ever been affected by or cared about is the message, the word of God, the worship and whether it went straight into my heart or not.
So I’m not sure being the biggest, the most creative, or the best means anything at all.
But if it draws only 1 person in and that person comes to know Christ. It’s all worth it.
I feel like Patrick Sievert on this subject but i will admit i do struggle with the ego issue at times too. I’ve had to learn that the Lord builds the church, i just want to make sure i’m not the one hindering the work, that’s my main concern.
I love this post. I am not a church, not employed by a church, have never planted a church, etc. I am a Christian, so part of the body of Christ. “Ego” in churches, in my tiny experience, drives me bonkers. I left a church due to the ego…HUGE ego. I was there serving and giving, but I was only a number. I can understand why churches want large congregations…but what really matters is how much of that congregation really represents the light of Christ…and are they shining? And that isn’t even for the church to measure…although sometimes it is evident. Satan is the competition, not other churches. Media is the competition. Society is the competition. I believe whether 50 ppl walk through, or 5,000 enter the church on a weekend…if you were called to minister, teach and serve….you should be pleased that even one walked in…and that your heart should be as dedicated to reaching that one as if you were facing a packed house. (gosh, didn’t realize i had so much to say…sorry)
Dang, dang, girl…that post/excerpt is awesome!! That lady you spoke about at conferences – it’s me, too!! Wow, if that short excerpt impacted me that much, I can’t wait for the whole book!
I so needed this today.
Blessings,
Joe
go patrick
heart = not ego
Anne, many times our numbers feed our ego and our lack of numbers feed our feelings of inadequacy. As you say we have believed a lie that numbers = effectiveness, blessing of God, and approval of others and even the “favor of God”. So without the numbers we feel like God is not using us or that we are ineffective or that perhaps He is not even moving at our church. It is a heartbreaking place to be.
I am a worship pastor. A turning point for me was the day I thought “If we are dependent on my own skill for life change, we are in trouble. I need to quit today.” I had to realize anew that it is indeed God that moves and changes and transforms. Our lights and music and productions and plans are simply something God uses at times. It is the presence of God that makes all things new, not us. We will be changed when we experience the power of the Holy Spirit, not when I sing particularly well. To be honest, it’s now a relief to realize I am not responsible for the work of God. God is God and I am not. Aren’t you all glad? :)
Anne, thank you for writing about this.
Joe – you saying you are a lady scares me.
Anne – great post. I have to honestly say that I have struggled with this – having my self esteem and worth as a church planter wrapped up in numbers. I remember when we first started the church and there were less than 20 people. I’d tell God he’d better get more people there or I was going to quit. I did the same think at 50 – 75 – 100. Our growth was slower than my plan. I would look at “successful” churches and feel almost ashamed of how big our church was. I would even lie sometimes. “So, Dave, How big is your church?” “We run about 100” – that means we are close to breaking 85 right?
Last year God asked me “Is Jesus enough for you?” Honestly, at first the answer was – no. Of course I said Yes, but I want Jesus AND a bigger church. Again, God said – Is Jesus enough for you? I finally came to the place where I had to repent of being a numbers driven pastor and focus on Jesus and be the best pastor of however many people God brings along the Journey with us.
I dont think I will ever not struggle with my ego and every day I have to crucify that and remember that Jesus gave his life for me and that is enough!
By the way – you could write the same post about blogging. How many bloggers flaunt their stats, check their stats, get addicted to technorati and feedburer… I did – had to unplug it all.
Thanks for the timely post.
This is why I don’t do megachurch.
i love what brody said. what if this applied to the blog world? wow.
i was at willow’s art conference…i remember thinking: “how does this apply to the church of 100 people that has a one man band for worship?”
no easy answers here.
Anne, thanks for sharing this. I have totally lived that woman’s story. And, I have been on the other side, too.
That was great! Thanks for sharing that!
As I was reading it, I was thinking about the competitiveness between different denominations. In the different areas I have lived, I have noticed that Baptists and Charismatics (or Pentecostals) tend to talk “smack” about each other. It’s funny, because I was raised Baptist, but have been attending Foursquare churches for many years. Somehow, a few years ago, my family ended up in a Southern Baptist church. The church left their affiliation out of the title of their name, and tended to not reveal it until asked. This made some people angry when they found out. Anyway, the church didn’t want people to know they were “Baptist,” because of the negative connotations associated with the name. Even so, they remain quite separated in our community, and don’t seem to want to partner with other churches in our town. In fact, the church we go to now has an awesome, thriving youth group that has youth events/conferences that they invite other youth groups to. The Baptist church won’t even think about coming, because of the minor theological disagreements (and maybe even jealousy about differences in “numbers”).
It’s sad to me, that churches in communities don’t come together every so often to make an impact. Even though they have differences in styles that fit different sorts of people better, we’re all “The Church,” and it would be so cool to see unity rather than competitiveness.
So good. So true!
this is a well timed post for me. i came out of a meeting where the leader I was meeting with, who i glow under the praise of, talked with me about checking egos at the door. we talked alot about praying and building relationships before doing. stuff they dont teach you in the secular work world. stuff i desperately need to learn. then i left the meeting and read this excerpt. wow. I cant wait to read the book.
I consider a church who’s purpose is only to grow its attendance to be a misguided church. One of the many.
You piqued my interest here. I hope you keep that in the book. I think there is a constant problem with ego, or pride, in the successes or failures in the church. Somehow it becomes about us, and not about the Father.
It is wonderful to TALK about it, so we can be reminded. Especially reminded that Christ is the reason we are here, not the other way around. Sometimes it gets lost and it’s nice to know other people have the same annyance about the numbers thing. I am a pastor’s daughter so I grew up with it, the meer uttering is like nails on a chalkboard for me!
very very true. you have changed my mind…again.
Thank you so much for what you’ve written. It has been such an encouragement. Keep doing what you’re doing. God is using you in big ways.
Thanks for giving us a peek! Can’t wait to read the book.
I like how you said “Only? I’m sorry were those 75 not enough for you?” You’ve hit on something VERY profound and key. I look forward to Mad Church Disease.
I agree…this only results in church hopping and stealing congregation members from another church – not real soul winning.
Good post!
How true as well. I think that for me this is a large part of why finding a good church to attend is so hard. I see this little things and witness the numbers that seem to matter more than the actual people themselves. I think i have allowed this to leave a bad taste in my mouth, because it does feel like we (the Church) are more worried about numbers rather than authenticity. This excerpt is like calling darkness to light.
In the 3rd chapter of John’s gospel, John the Baptist’s disciples have fallen victim to the same flawed logic that has wafted over into the church to this day. When all of the people were looking to Jesus instead of John, John gives them the advice we better understand as believers. He said, “He(Jesus) must become greater; I must become less.”
God doesn’t view success by man’s numbers. His numbers have and ever will be the same, one soul each.
Our success in His eyes is measured by how we show the love, compassion and concern He showed, when He gave his life for you and me.
Anne, thanks for a powerful word.
Oooooh, don’t cut it!! Love it.
“And that is that we are called”…and chosen…and summoned resulting in greater responsibility to approach successful ministry with modesty and humility. Very well put – thanks for this important reminder to keep the main thing the main thing.
I appreciate your insight, Anne, and look forward to reading more of “Mad Church…” so I can work toward preventing myself from catching a competitive church spirit – a very unhealthy and tempting disease!
wow. this left me speechless, but also wondering how many things are creeping into the doors of the church unnoticed. thanks for listening to Him.
One quote I love related to this is:
“Vision isn’t to be the best whatever; vision is for everybody.” – Benjamin Zander
I agree w/ Cindy, Great Writing!
Some of the healthy competition has allowed some churches, some leaders and some ministries to “elevate their game” in order to improve, to reach more lost people, to be better stewards…
It’s important for ministry leaders to not get caught up in the “Mad Church Disease” of finding their worth in what others are doing, but rather learn from others and find their worth because of who they are in Christ!
“Do You!” It’s not a question, it’s a statement… be yourself!
Awesome post Anne! I look forward to reading your book.
Great post! We find ourselves drawn into a consumer-obsessed culture (at least in America) and seem to carry that mindset into our ministry. Numbers are only part of the equation. It’s best in the long run to keep our attention on the multiplier, God.
Okay Anne,
So when is your book out?? I can’t wait until February. Every time you post on something like this it just hits home. You are really in tune with the church and what is going on. You are a great communicator and I look forward to the book!
Thanks everyone for the encouraging words. :)
Anne,
David numbered the people in 2 Samuel 24 and many people died because of it. Numbers represent our reliance on our might rather than God’s strong arm. Thanks for addressing this needed topic!
OOOOOOHhhhhh how I LOVE that humans try to merge what is acceptable and even encouraged in our culture and try to shoehorn it in with the gospel.
Then when you speak against it, they like to argue numbers.
Seriously? Seriously. Really.
America:
Freedom of Religion – Bonus
Capitalism – Errr, not so much
“We have absolutely no right to know how God is using us. We only need to know he is, and be grateful.”
Wow! Great stuff right there. -Kim
i’m trying not to do….just be.
great post… as a worship leader in a smallish church plant (as many as 100, as few as 20-30, as was the case with the 4th of july weekend), i struggle with the numbers thing from time to time, not as much in terms of ‘competing with other churches’, but in terms of dealing with expectations for what excellence should look like (if there are fewer people on stage because we’re having trouble finding available musicians, is that ok? is it ok if we don’t sound like the david crowder band every week? am i a sucky leader if i can’t get people to play and others can?) as well as sort of ‘creativity’ stuff. do i do a more rocking type of song (even if it’s fitting lyrically) if it’s just me and my guitar on stage? do i use the best walk-in songs (songs that aren’t for congregational, a performance piece to just start the gathering) or introduce new worship songs on weekends when lots of people won’t be there (we have a lot of college students and young professionals; summers and holidays hit us hard)? or do i save it for when more people are around? hmm…
good stuff, anne, as always. :)
Looking forward to the book ;p
God Bless
Hi Anne,
Glad to see you’re still blogging in a way that prompts us to think about coloring without lines.
What you’re talking about, to some extent, requires churches and church leaders to think differently about structure. Paid staff, bells and whistles, etc., all require money, and money is usually easier found when a church reaches a “critical mass” – aka numbers.
It’s a struggle we face regularly. And I am constantly reminded the kingdom is often advanced one person at a time, rather than a mass coversion. And one person at a time is usually best accomplished with one-on-one relationships.
Keep asking the questions!
Love you – it’s been too long.
Candyce has voiced many of the questions that have crowded my mind and heart through the years. I think – for me – it wasn’t that I so much wanted to be bigger or better than anyone else but that the bigger and better made me feel smaller and smaller…..and inept as a result.
@Candyce – I’ve planted two churches and am a worship leader. Let me know if you ever just want to chat! I love talking to other worship leaders.
I have been a full time Worship Pastor for almost twenty years and can remember how i used to worry about the size of my choir, how many were in worship attendance, etc.. It took a while but God revealed to me that my job is to lead passionate worship for Him, Share my faith with others and live a life that mentors (disciples) those in my sphere of influence.
It gives me great joy to receive calls and e-mails from all around the country each of which is a former (disciple) each of which serve a churches of all sizes.
We as church leaders have bought into immediate gratification and numbers are sure signs we are reaching the world (woo hoo). I am convinced that true life change and commitment to Christ comes one on one. It is slow and not so gratifying at times but in time God’s Church is Mega. And we have been a tiny link in the chain.
Be Blessed
Good topic! It’s my belief that this ego-driven nature is baked into our individualistic culture. Just last week while walking down the can goods aisle at my local grocery store, I noticed individual sized cans lima beans, just a little smaller than the standard size. You can now go in and out of a grocery or hardware store and not speak to a single person. The faithful Christians that I know will barely acknowledge that the person that lives next door to them is there neighbor. Far be it that Jesus said we’re supposed to love that person. We don’t even know them. The Dixie Chicks were right when they wrote the song “The Neighbor” and sung about us hiding inside.
We seek to be different, better, more so that we can get noticed, but Christ wants us to behave as one. It’s a together thing! The Message says it well in Eph 4 “pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences. You were all called to travel on the same road and in the same direction, so stay together, both outwardly and inwardly”
I caught myself under real conviction a few months ago. We had a service to honor the ladies in our fellowship. Being the single guy in my thirties, I found myself wanting to be noticed, so what do I do. Instead of the black pants, I go for the TUX pants and the extra nice black tie. I felt so out of place, everyone looked the same. That night God laid a heavy word on me, “Just serve like I made you Allen and watch what happens when my church works like I intended.”
Should we be asking, “How can we be working as one?”
I am a little slow on this comment since I’m behind on blogs. I along with many others in ministry can identify with this. A couple years ago I wrote a journal entry (which I don’t do often) about the desire to be unknown and the ego to be very known. Great stuff, can’t wait to read the book.
Sorry for the late comment… but here’s my take.
I am a young adult and pretty much considered myself as a numbers person (since my undergrad degree is statistics). So, I am not as annoyed with the numbers as some people.
With that said, I also bring another perspective to the table… which is a first generation Chinese American in a non-Asian Episcopal Church who is active in Asian ministry, which is atypical of the Asians who are in Asian ministries.
Anyways… because I am a racial minority, I wouldn’t be able to be myself if I don’t make myself be heard in the church. After all, typical Asian American Episcopalians in my situation would just settle in but compromised themselves in the process, which is what I heard from a rector I respected. But, because I still wanted to get involved in Asian ministry despite my situation, the best way (based on her words and my intuitions) was to introduce the Chinese side of me in a non-invasive manner.
Meanwhile… my take on numbers… I think churches should be honest with their numbers, especially in terms of attendance. However, mentioning them too much would definitely cause the perception of being hard-sell or over-competitive. Personally, I think if the church is solid in all phases of ministry, there’s no need for numbers.