The Big Three and the Hidden One

Over the past five years of working on church renewal projects, I’ve discerned that most congregations face the “Big Three” and the “Hidden One.”

• Some of us who are older may remember when GM, Ford, and Chrysler were referred to as the “Big Three.” These car companies owned a significant market share, so almost no one predicted their coming troubles.
• However, in the 1970s, gas prices rose. American-made cars were neither fuel efficient nor reliable, so their market share shriveled, while foreign companies gobbled up market share. The Big Three car companies’ failure to acknowledge shifts in the automotive industry meant they would fall behind and spend decades playing catch-up.

In the past 40 years, a similar shift has occurred in the church. For a long time, we “did church” — worship services, Bible studies, youth groups, etc. While not exactly running on autopilot, many did the same thing year after year. This worked until it didn’t because of shifts in the culture and the marginalization of the church.

• A new environment means the church needs to reimagine what the local congregation is about, how we make disciples, and how we connect with our communities. This is new territory, and many churches have not yet navigated these changing waters.

For churches to navigate these changing waters, they must engage what I call “The Big Three.”

Three Big Ideas For Church Renewal

1. Vision

• Churches need to know why they exist and where they are going. While there is no shortage of churches with a vision statement, it is typically not known, owned, or lived by either the leadership or the congregation. A true vision sets the direction of the church, is a rallying cry for the congregation, and is known and owned.

2. Discipleship

• Few churches have a pathway of discipleship that grows disciples who can engage the world. Many churches have random Bible studies and children’s programs, but people don’t know how these will lead them to become like Christ. True discipleship engages the heart and mind to live like Christ.

3. Community Connections

• Many churches have fantastic community events and multiple ways they care for their congregations. However, they have yet to discern how they bridge people into the congregation’s life. While not all community connections are designed to lead to bringing people into the faith community, churches need to work more diligently at the bridge-making process.

One Hidden Idea for Church Renewal

Along with these Big Three, there is also a significant “Hidden one,” and without it, nothing else will matter. The Hidden One can keep a church from moving into the next chapter of its God-given future and calling.

• The hidden one is the culture of the congregation. Culture is “how we do things around here” and “what we prioritize using our money, time, and resources.
• Culture is often hidden behind ideas, history, and how people see the church. If the culture doesn’t accept pursuing the Big Three diligently, the Big Three will go nowhere. Churches must uncover their culture to truly move into their next chapter of following Jesus.

So, where is your church in the Big Three and the Hidden One?