There definitely are ways that church-wide campaigns can miss the mark, and there are keys to avoiding a church-wide campaign disaster. There are certain things you need to do to have a great church-wide campaign. See also, Top 10 Ways Church-Wide Campaigns Miss the Mark, 5 Keys to Avoiding a Church-Wide Campaign Disaster and 10 Simple Steps to a Great Church-Wide Campaign.
5 Dangerous Myths About Church-Wide Campaigns
There are certain myths about church-wide campaigns that set up bad expectations. Hope and optimism are good things, but wishful thinking can set up a congregation for big disappointment right when they need a boost of encouragement.
Some people will believe anything coming from pastors, and many think that a church-wide campaign is:
1. The solution for sagging attendance. Can a campaign help re-energize a congregation and help inconsistent attendees become more consistent? The short answer is yes, but only when the right groundwork has been laid. The right campaign can encourage more consistent attendance when participants are challenged to make and keep commitments to "be here each Sunday and join a group that's using the study that goes along with the message." Certain key ingredients make this commitment likely: a topic with broad appeal, a series of reasonable length (six weeks is just right), and a study that is easy to do (homework tends to be a barrier). See also, The Exponential Power of a Church-Wide Campaign.
2. The solution for reaching neighbors, friends, co-workers and family. The right church-wide campaign can provide the perfect invitation. Choose a cross-cultural topic from the easy end of the Easy/Hard Continuum, and the invite will almost make itself. Choose the wrong topic, and you won't be able to bribe your dearest friends to join your group. See also, The Easy/Hard Continuum, How to Choose the Right Church-Wide Campaign, and The Latest on Church-Wide Campaigns (2014).
3. The solution for disunity. It is not actually the campaign that generates unity. Developing a prayerful attitude. A willingness to truly seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Opening God's Word together. Those are the things that bring unity. Still, choosing a church-wide campaign that encourages those things will move you in the right direction.
4. An easy way to launch a small-group ministry. The right church-wide campaign coupled with the right preparation and the right follow-through will go a long way in the effort to launch a small-group ministry. Still, it requires a lot of energy, resources and persistence. Do the right things. Do all of the right things...and when the dust clears you should have a great beginning--the kind of beginning upon which you can build a thriving small-group ministry. See also, What Is the Best Way to Connect the Largest Number of People?
5. An easy way to "get everyone on the same page." In much the same way that a church-wide campaign isn't a solution for disunity, it won't be an easy way to "get everyone on the same page." The right campaign won't hurt and coupled with a compelling vision may provide momentum that will move your congregation in one direction on the same page.
Mark Howell is the founder of SmallGroupResources.net, committed to helping churches launch, build and sustain healthy small-group ministries. He's also the Pastor of Discipleship Communities at Canyon Ridge Christian Church. You can read Mark's blog at markhowelllive.com or follow him on Twitter.
For the original article, visit pastors.com.
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