The Obdurate Church

Obdurate Churches exist throughout our cities. These churches are single race single class churches.  Obdurate churches are found in different racial and cultural groups.  In the South these churches are predominately Caucasian or African-American, although this continues to evolve as the South becomes more diverse.  Obdurate churches refuse to change to accept others races, cultures, or social classes.  They are only open to those who are exactly like them – same race and same social class.  The problem with obdurate churches is that they are governed by unyielding leaders.

A couple years back, Susan and I went to worship with an “Obdurate Church” in our city not far from the New Life Theological Seminary.  After the service I stood and talked with the Deacon Chairman about the dying congregation.  I offered the assistance of the Seminary, promised we would come along beside them, involve our students and faculty, and help the church transition.  He refused my plea.  The church no longer exists.  Over the past two decades Christians have averaged nearly 1,000 church starts every year in America, but every year more than 4,000 churches close their doors!   Half of all churches in the United States did not add any new members in the last two years, and it is estimated that every year 2.7 church members fall into inactivity.  What is going on?

Obdurate churches are disobedient churches and disobedient churches die!  Tom Billings, Executive Director of Union Baptist Association in Houston Texas is known for reminding churches that they “are responsible for reaching all of the people in the city, not just the folks that look like us.  It’s hard for us to cross over those barriers and boundaries in order to reach out, but we’ve got a responsibility for other people.”  With 584 people unengaged, unreached people groups in North America there is a tremendous demand for pastors to be trained and equipped to reach them.  Pastors must learn to think more like a missionary and more seminaries need to work to properly equip those called into vocational ministry.

Obdurate church can change through the power and might of the Lord Jesus!  What should you do if you find yourself in an obdurate church?  First, commit to serious prayer about your church.  Second, begin seeking out others in the congregation that are open to praying with you about revitalization.  Third, talk with your pastor about your concerns and let him know you have pulled together a small group and that you are all praying for serious revitalization of the church.  Fourth, work with your pastor to begin teaching and developing a true Christian love for people who are “different” from those already in the church.  Fifth, become personally intentional about developing friendships and socializing with people who are different from you.  Sixth, seek to diversify the staff of the church.  Sometimes this can be done with the help of a seminary theological school.  At New Life Theological Seminary we designed a special Mission and Mentoring program we refer to as “M&M” for this step.  Seventh, actively begin encouraging your new “different” friends into discipleship and worship.  Look for opportunities and create special events to purposes draw others into the church.

As a last result, if you can’t find others to commit to pray with you or your pastor is unwilling to help revitalize the church, leave.  Sometimes death has to happen for new life to begin.