Does it bother you when someone leaves your church? The reality is every church has a “back door” people slip out of. The key leadership question is not “Are we going to lose people?” The reality is you are.
The key question is “Who are we losing?” A dirty little leadership secret is churches get to choose who they lose.
We know you don’t wish to lose your best people and often you do not have to. The following are 11 indicators a potential move towards the back door is underway. If you see the following items, you should proactively reconnect and rebuild the relationship:
- A decrease or complete loss in financial support – The last thing that comes is a person’s money. The first thing that goes is a person’s money.
- The wife’s body language – If you want to know if a man is happy, always look at his wife.
- Tardiness to responsibilities – This indicates a loss of passion.
- Minor items cause major frustrations – This indicates a lack of patience with the ministry.
- Complaining – This indicates broad-based frustration with the ministry.
- Excitement over another church’s vision – People naturally navigate towards a brighter tomorrow.
- Divorce – When a divorce takes place, one individual will definitely leave the church. Sadly, the other person finds it difficult to fit in with their “married friends” and often leaves to start over at a different congregation. Having the children firmly planted into the church is the key to retaining this relationship.
- Resignation of a volunteer position – This is the beginning of removing responsibilities and attachments.
- No connection to a small group – If a person is not connected relationally, they will leave the church.
- Their children are unhappy – America is the only country in the world where children rule. Unhappy adults will stay in a church where their children are happy. Conversely, adults will not stay in a church where their children are unhappy.
- Andy Stanley and North Point Community Church are opening a satellite location in your community – That is funny…..but true.
My desire for you is to build a strong leadership culture at your church. This list will help you keep your best leaders who can help you advance mission and vision.
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