So how do you turn around a declining church without blowing it apart?
Can it even be done? Or will it always take years to do, if it’s even possible?
Dom Ruso talks about how he leveraged the past to help bring a church into a new future, more than doubling in size in just two years.
Yes, it can be done, and Dom explains what he did to help bring it about.
Welcome to Episode 15 of the podcast.
Guest Links: Dom Ruso
Temple Baptist Church on Facebook
Temple Baptist Church on Twitter
Links Mentioned in this Episode
Leading Change Without Losing It on Amazon
LeadingChangeWithoutLosingIt.com (The book’s official website with 12 free bonus videos)
3 Things You Can Do Right Away
With change, you take chances. You want to take the intentions of the past and apply them to the future, and sometimes those methodologies don’t work. But the heart from the previous generation is the same heart that wants to drive the future. Here are three ways that can help guide your church through a smoother transition:
- Understand the church’s history. People think that change equates to disloyalty, but in fact, you may find that not changing is being disloyal. Learn and listen, and review what didn’t work in the past. See how the church evolved, and look at how you can preserve the history. Explore what sacrifices were made and compare them to the sacrifices your church may have to make.You can leverage the past for the sake of the future. This will show that you have the church’s best interest in mind.
- Gauge the temperature for which the community can build change. If you invest into the church’s future, your congregation will trust you. If you can help your congregation focus on the mission, you can broker the past to leverage the future. But let them grieve. Listen and acknowledge their feelings because older generations of church members placed value on previous traditions.
- Celebrate the small wins. In his preaching, Dom celebrated. You don’t have to wait for a special occasion; you can weave celebration into the small milestones because they’re worth recognizing. Place emphasis on God’s blessings and what makes those moments special. Dom also recognized he had to pastor his team as they pastored the church. It gives encouragement to your teams that they can handle the growth. Coach your team to lead leaders.
Quotes From Dom
CNLP 015: Turning Around a Declining Church without Blowing It Apart – An Interview with Dom Ruso Click To Tweet CNLP 015: Turning Around a Declining Church without Blowing It Apart – An Interview with Dom Ruso Click To Tweet CNLP 015: Turning Around a Declining Church without Blowing It Apart – An Interview with Dom Ruso Click To Tweet CNLP 015: Turning Around a Declining Church without Blowing It Apart – An Interview with Dom Ruso Click To TweetA New Episode Every Week…Just Subscribe.
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Next Episode: Jeff Henderson
Can anyone become a better communicator? Jeff Henderson thinks so.
Whether you speak every weekend or are simply trying to improve your presentations in the boardroom, Jeff shares what will kill your next presentations or talk and what will make it great.
Subscribe now, and you won’t miss Episode 16.
