4 Things Your Church

Can’t Afford
by Artie Davis

All of us who lead in a church understand the cost of doing

ministry; the financial cost that is. We know our budgets and
the limits of what we can afford or not afford.
However, many pastors and leaders are allowing some
intangible costs to rob them now, and the net result will be
devastating if these “costs” are not cut.

1. The complaining culture.

We all know what this means. It’s that thing that says, "It’s not
my way, so I’m going to complain about it." Your church can’t
afford that.
You have to teach your people and get it into your DNA that
people simply can’t complain. You want your people to be about
80 percent happy. When people are 80 percent happy, you
know you’re reaching all kinds of people.
The second people get 100 percent happy, you will only reach
those just like them.
Here’s the thing: Teach your people that they can’t complain
about the 20 percent they’re not happy with. It’s suffocating to
your church and your vision. The cost is too high.
2. Not investing in kids.
"The church that wins the children wins the city." That’s one of
the first things I learned about ministry.
The kids’ department is so much more than a baby sitting
service. Every week, I hear about kids bringing parents to
church. YES! If we can make a kid excited to come to church,
we’ll likely get the parents too.

3. Not investing in young leaders.

If you’re not investing young leaders (those under 30), you’re
missing the boat.
What dies with you isn’t from God. If the vision and mission you
have is truly from God, it has to outlive you. God’s is so much
bigger than yours. Pass it on to the people that will be here
after you.

4. To not keep score.

Measure what matters. If you don’t know how you’re doing,
you’ll never do anything. Keep score.
Don’t do it just to say you have __ amount on Sunday morning,
do it because you need to constantly adjust what you’re doing
by how you’re doing.
If you don’t count and measure, you’ll look up one day and
wonder what happened. Don’t let the cracks swallow your
church … cover them so people don’t fall through.
What else can your church not afford?  

Pastor | Church Multiplier @CornerstoneSC | Director of

@TheSticks | Author #Craveable & @CraveableChurch #SmallTownPastor

More from Artie Davis or visit Artie at artiedavis.com/