Monster.com writer Roberta Chinsky Matuson recently wrote an article which looked at the signs of a failing restaurant. As I read her list, I felt every church, business, and sports leader needed to be aware of this information as there are many applications to their areas of expertise.
Let’s take a look at the list.
- Managers/owners don’t express passion for the business. – The speed of the leader determines the speed of the team. When the pastor, owner, or coach loses passion, the organization will suffer.
- The outdated menu never changes. – What made you successful yesterday will not keep you successful today or moving forward. Churches and organizations that do not evolve, that do not change, eventually become irrelevant.
- The number of regular menu items, as well as glassware/silverware, is shrinking. – Organizations that have no growth, no creativity, no new product lines, and no new ideas eventually atrophy. Performance suffers and the competition passes you by.
- Managers are cutting corners to stretch food ingredients. – The longest distance between two points is a shortcut. Organizations that are not committed to excellence are in danger of failing.
- The restaurant begins to close earlier. – People want to be part of something special. When nothing is happening, when life change is not occurring, and where there is no energy, people will simply go home…or to some other place where movement and advancement of ministry is taking place.
- Regular customers come in less frequently. – Is attendance at your church trending in the wrong direction? Does the telephone never ring? Have referrals stopped? If so, the death spiral has begun.
- Finally, Dan King of Career Planning and Management says, “Look closely at turnover, particularly that of wait staff members, since they rely mostly on tips.” – Are you losing your key staff and leaders? Are there no longer opportunities for leaders to stretch, grow, or shine? Does the grass always look greener for your team on the other side? If you are losing leaders, you are failing.
I hope this post doesn’t depress you. It is not written for that purpose. What I do hope, however, is that I give you the warning signs of a failing church or organization. It is never too late to stop that trend and begin a new growth curve.
For additional resources on struggling churches, check out these resources:
- Southern Baptist Churches In Decline! But Why?
- Pastors And Church Leaders, Is Your Church Distinguishable In The City You Live?
- 5 Reasons People May Be Leaving Your Church
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