What is your idea of a quality church environment?

Question

The building itself is not necessarily the Church but a place of meeting for the church community. My question is a little deeper. We have a small church community (it appears our branches have been pruned alot). What once was a congregation of 100s is now a group of about 50. The message is good and founded in the Word and taken in context.

Are there that many people who dislike the truth so much that they are more willing to walk away than stay and face the truth? I know I sin but I need the Word and all the interpretation I can get. I am not all knowing and understanding.

I want our church to be not only a place to worship but also have the ability to reach out. Our pastors have not been paid for several months because of low attendance and tithes. We all give money, food, etc. to our pastors because we believe in the Word they share.

I want to help them help others but we are pretty close to having to shut our doors and meet in private homes or garages. HELP

Answer 1

The building is not the main thing that is for sure.

Try to analyze why the decrease in attendance. Hopefully some who have left have made their reasons known. IF the pastors are teaching the bible verse by verse, emphasizing prayer and fellowship and also have an outward looking focus then they are doing what they can.

For a quility church environment I look for verse - by verse teaching. Pastors are to preach the full gospel not just parts. I also look for prayer, fellowship and missions. I also look for a pastor that enables the church to fulfill the great commission. Some pastors just want to be server, other want to serve the congregation.

With out knowing what changes may have occured over the last couple of times its difficult to offer much more.

Answer 2

...1. The Bible must be honored, revered and preached as the authority for life and practice. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
...2. The church should have God-appointed male elders, who are to be the leaders. Acts 20:28, 1 Timothy 2:12
...3. I believe that ideally the church should be equipping others for service - in evangelism, discipleship, and biblical counseling. Ephesians 4:11-13
...4. A church should also encourage it's members/attenders to find out and use their spiritual gifts. Romans 12; 1 Corinthians 12-14
...5. A congregation should focus on preaching and teaching the truth of Scripture, and leave numbers to God - He will give the increase if He chooses - otherwise, He may be moving you and/or others somewhere else, or perhaps shutting a church down.
...6. A good church needs to be a praying church, a serving church, a loving church, a church which supports foreign missions and where ministry is considered to be everywhere, all the time.

Answer 3

Sorry to hear about that. But I believe in pruning, you will get a core of believers, and when in agreement, much will be accomplished. The truth will always come out the winner.
Keep up preaching the truth and true worship.

Answer 4

Looks like u need to get a little charisma in the church to get new members in.
Have a bakesale near a grocery store and give out church cards to invite folks to join your church.
Positive thinkin helps alot. Use your imagination and PRAY

Answer 5

Acceptance is the key.I think that meeting in one anothers home is a great idea. After all the early church did. It is more personal and allows us to relate to each other better which the church should be all about.1st we enter into a relationship with God thru Jesus ,then we enter into relationship with each other thru acceptance.

Answer 6

Bingo and cheap communion wine.

Answer 7

Well I prefer the fire and bristone kind, but you don't see that much anymore.

Answer 8

Where are you? I want to move there!