PASTOR'S  PERSPECTIVE

Five Redevelopment Dynamics

Training leads to the fourth theme: reentering the community. Churches in redevelopment may have withdrawn from any community involvement. The congregation's members often reside outside the immediate context of the church and therefore have little knowledge of the needs of those folks in the neighborhood surrounding the church. Reentering the community is risky business. However, the "not-like-us" deserve the same gospel as we. Jesus called these folks to be his disciples. They were then and are now worthy of the kingdom. God evangelism starts with building relationships with those folks just outside our church door.

A fifth component of redevelopment is that of a solid financial base. This may be the hardest of the five themes but its success insures that the congregation's ministry will extend beyond the present and into the future. Stewardship must be seen as a way of life for the believer, and good stewardship practices must be modeled by the leaders.

Does this description fit us? By now you may be asking, Is our church a candidate for redevelopment? Here's a quick check-off list to help you decide:

• If the ten-year trends have plateaued or declined for membership, worship attendance, church-school attendance, contributions, or mission giving, you may be a candidate for redevelopment. If the Diaspora has occurred, and the "righteous remnant" remain out of loyalty or the need for a place to be buried, and they are tired, depressed, lacking in motivation, creativity, or energy, you may be a candidate for redevelopment.
• If new folks do come, but they don't stay…If the sign announcing your "new church" has fallen down…If people driving down the street wonder what goes on in your church, you may be a candidate for redevelopment.

Redevelopment doesn't come easily. It takes hard work. But as Gustav Nelson says, "There is opportunity to speak with a new voice, to minister to a new world in a new way, and to respond to God's call in the 21st century." In a real sense then, all of us are redevelopment candidates, aren't we?