Stop Making Excuses, Make Changes
“Well, it is easy for you because you planted New City. You started with nothing and made it what it is.”
“It’s easy for you to say that, you didn’t come into a church ‘set in its ways.’”
This is what I hear whenever there is a discussion with pastors who came into already existing churches about the things New City does and does not do. This (and more) is what I hear when there is any discussion of moving people to mission, being a welcoming church, loving neighbors and the city. New Church vs Old Church is always the reason given for why our culture is what it is and other churches have a different and supposedly “unchangeable” culture.
Here’s the truth. Most of the people at New City have come with some amount of church experience. They come bringing their own culture. They all must learn a new culture, our culture. And since we hope to continue reaching people, some with a church background and some without, we understand that creating and maintaining our culture is a constant deconstruction and reconstruction process. We understand that we never stop teaching our cultural hopes and expectations.
For example, you have probably heard of the 80/20 rule in church service. The 80/20 rule says that 80% of the service done in and through a church is done by 20% of the people. The vast majority of church members serve very little according to the 80/20 rule. That is the culture of many churches. New City’s culture is exactly the opposite! Around 95% of our partners serve regularly! We also have a fairly high percentage of non-partner servants at New City.
The people who come to New City with church backgrounds come from churches who fit the typical 80/20 church service rule, so what happens that leads them to join in serving rather than being served? There are, of course, several factors, the work of the Holy Spirit, seeing others serve… But for the part of leadership, we preach serving, teach serving, celebrate serving and we model serving – all the time.
Serving is expected at New City because we believe that Christians are being shaped into the image of Jesus (Romans 8:29-30) and Jesus did not come to be served but as a servant to serve (Matthew 20:28)! Serving is a HUGE part of what it means to follow Christ, so we are relentless in helping others see that. Over time as people make the connection of life in Christ and life like Christ’s, they grow in serving others, not just on Sunday mornings but in their homes, on their jobs, and in the community.
This culture of service at New City did not happen because we planted a new church and said in the beginning this is who we will be. It has happened because we have diligently taught it, celebrated, modeled, and connected it to the truth of who we are in Christ.
Now, here’s why this is good news for existing churches.
Your culture can change!
You may have inherited a bad or incomplete culture when you became the pastor or some other leader, but that does not mean you are stuck with it. I say this in love - stop making excuses and start making changes!
Creating and changing culture is work. It is difficult and long work. It is the work of changing people’s values and beliefs, helping them see themselves in new roles. It is the work of establishing new and different goals and making sure that your church’s processes support the culture you are aiming for. It means changing language. It involves regular celebrations of “wins” as you pursue that new culture. It means preaching and teaching again and again and again and again and again the “what and why” of the culture you are aiming for. It means that you and the church leaders must model it always, in church, in your home and in the community. It will take time and a relentless commitment.
But it is worth it!
If you are not happy with the culture of your church, stop making excuses and start the work of making changes. God wants your church’s culture to match His Kingdom culture; He is with you! And if there is anything that we can do to help you think through the changes and the work, let us know! We would love to walk with you on the journey of change!
