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| PentecostalTheology.com
Past experience of most churches include a series of church splits.
A true test of leadership ability is to recognize the problem before it becomes an emergency. One cannot allow circumstances to mold the future. Therefore, church split modes must be foreseen with preparation that includes the following steps:
1. Give your people freedom and never use fear in leadership.
2. Allow the congregation to experience and follow God.
3. Make your environment safe for people to approach you.
4. Always take the high road as a leader.
5. Accept responsibilities and be accountable.
6. Endorse growth and multiplication as healthy and necessary.
7. Continuously promote unity and togetherness in everything.
Varnel Watson
Jim Price Terry Wiles Ed Brewer while I am thinking about it
Does you church have one already in place?
Does your church need one today…
We’ve worked on those before with great success
We’ve seen churches splitting every couple of years without one
No more than 2-3 weeks ago in a service when the altar was open the minister confessed thinking of splitting; we’ve seen churches exploding with growth then quickly shut down by a single or double split occurring
within a few months one from another No one is insured against split(s)
This morning in conference with a young minister we mentor, he shared being fed up and leaving to start a new work. The name of the new church was something like Spirit Pentecostal Life Independent Ministries. He asked me of my direction and I told him since this is already a done deal, change Ministries to Temple and the name will nicely short spell S.P.L.I.T.
What is your church split plan to fall back on?
Jim Price
Using the gift of discernment I was able on two occasions to sense a split in the making and then challenged by; ” blessed are the peacemakers ” I was able to head off two splits. Start out by asking ; who is causing the rift? Then one tries to develop a close friendship with the dissatisfied one. In one case the real trouble maker was a man’s wife ( who was going through a midlife change. ) Often the real issue is something other than the one stated. In this case we organized a husband wife retreat and I tipped off the speaker/leader of the retreat, etc..Even so a split was barely avoided but within a year most of the issues were forgotten. In the second case a split was avoided but I ended up paying a dear price.
Varnel Watson
Jim same church? how far apart in time
Jim Price
Two different churches, 15 years apart.
Varnel Watson
So not what OP is desiring – talking about churches who experience a split every 2-3 years Terry did you know?
Terry Wiles
Troy Day Happens a Lot in the south.
Varnel Watson
cutting it close before church time today ?
Terry Wiles
In Guatemala. Service starts in 2 hours here. Will post a picture maybe. Then headed to the Peruvian Amazon to meet with pastors there.
Varnel Watson
in Guatemalia near the lake of Galilee
Terry Wiles
Just finished church services.
Terry Wiles
Near lake Atitlan
Varnel Watson
No church is insured from church splits
Varnel Watson
I guess a question for pastors Michael Ellis Carter Jr. Terry Wiles
Michael Ellis Carter Jr.
Troy Day ha ha yes it would have helped me before
Varnel Watson
which of the 7 points do you find helpful ?
Michael Ellis Carter Jr.
Troy Day maybe #7 but more importantly I wish I would developed pipelines to manufacture or create leaders. I also wish I would have used small groups as a way to break silos or clicks
Varnel Watson
all 7 or JUST 7?
7. Continuously promote unity and togetherness in everything.
Michael Ellis Carter Jr.
Troy Day just #7 I think unconsciously we assume that the church is united in purpose and togetherness when often most people are there with different agendas
Varnel Watson
well 1 out of 7 is still good for something 🙂
Terry Wiles
I agree with the points. They are standard practice with me.
Varnel Watson
how many church splits have you undergone?
Terry Wiles
Troy Day None. Because of Gods blessings. But I’ve officiated as overseer at several. Messy. Usually because of internal power fights of wolves coming in with different doctrines.
Cameron King
All seven are good. I would add… Do church discipline according to Matthew 18 and 1 Corinthians 5. Generally other sinful behaviors pop their head up before decisiveness.
Varnel Watson
interesting point Cameron King I have found churches which do what you say never really get to a defining split moment
10 WAYS to PROTECT your CHURCH in 2021 (from our Church Security Conference) | Pentecostal Theology
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