From Membership to Ownership

From Membership to Ministry: How to Build a Culture Where Everyone Serves, Gives, and Belongs

What if one word could shift your church from passive attendance to passionate participation?

That word is OWNERSHIP.

“We believe every Christ-follower should belong to a local church and take ownership of that church. Ownership includes serving, giving, and participating in biblical community.” — Ron B. Smith Jr.

Ownership isn’t just a buzzword — it’s the DNA of a healthy, growing church. It fuels the five core values every thriving congregation lives by:

  1. Found people find people
  2. Saved people serve people
  3. Growing people change
  4. You can’t do life alone
  5. You can’t out give God

But here’s the truth: Culture starts at the top — and works its way down.

If your church struggles with:

  • “The church just isn’t very generous.”
  • “Nobody ever wants to volunteer.”
  • “People are flaky — I never know if they’ll show up.”

…then it’s time to stop complaining and start leading with ownership.

Here’s how to build an ownership culture in your church — step by practical step.

Step 1: Find the Strengths — Don’t Fixate on Weaknesses

“Focusing on the negative makes you miss the positive — and invites more negativity.”

It’s human nature to see what’s broken. But great leaders see what’s working and amplify it.

Action Steps:

  • Publicly celebrate wins in sermons, emails, and social media. Example: “Last week, 12 people served in children’s ministry — thank you for owning the mission!”
  • Interview 3 faithful volunteers — ask: “What do you love about serving here?”
  • Leverage strengths: If hospitality is strong, expand it. If worship is powerful, invite more musicians.

Pro Tip: Start every leadership meeting with “What’s going right?” before “What needs fixing?”

Step 2: Encourage More Than You Correct

“Encourage more than you correct. Put grace in the bank before you make a withdrawal.”

Paul’s letters always began with thankfulness — even to the messy Corinthians!

Action Steps:

  • Send 3 personal encouragement notes per week (text, email, or handwritten).
  • Use the 5:1 ratio: 5 encouragements for every 1 correction.
  • Model Paul’s pattern:
    1. Grace
    2. Peace
    3. Thanksgiving
    4. Truth in love

Example Script: “I thank God every time I remember you. Your faithfulness in [specific area] is changing lives. Let’s keep growing together in [area of challenge].”

Step 3: Lead Out in the Ownership Role

“The negative culture isn’t all your fault — but changing it is your responsibility.”

You can’t control people. But you can model ownership.

Stop Complaining. Start Solving.

Complaint Ownership Response
“No one serves” “I will serve first and invite others to join me.”
“Giving is low” “I will give generously and teach biblical stewardship.”
“People don’t show up” “I will build community that makes people want to be here.”

Action Steps:

  • Be the first to serve — greet, clean, set up chairs.
  • Share your giving testimony (anonymously if needed).
  • Teach ownership monthly in sermons and small groups.

Key Truth: “The attitude of your followers will eventually reflect how you’re leading.”

Step 4: Give It Away — People Can’t Own What You Keep

“If you own it all, church leaders have nothing to own.”

Your job? Equip. Train. Empower. Release.

Say it loud and often:

“What you do pays your bills — but who you are is a minister in Jesus Christ.”

Action Steps:

  • Create a “Ministry Match” process (more below).
  • Delegate one new responsibility this month.
  • Celebrate when someone leads better than you — that’s success!

Step 5: Never Depend on Your Own Understanding — Ask God

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God…” (James 1:5)

Every great leader in Scripture felt in over their head. That’s the point.

Action Steps:

  • Pray daily: “Lord, give me wisdom to lead Your people into ownership.”
  • Form a prayer team for culture change.
  • Fast quarterly as a leadership team for breakthrough.

The 3-2-1 Ownership Launch Plan

3: Educate – Organize – Invite

Step Action
Educate Teach what commitment to Christ means. Don’t assume they know.
Organize Share the church mission/vision (annual theme). Direction fuels commitment.
Invite Call every member to serve. “You are a necessary part of the body” (1 Cor 12:22).

2: Evaluate – Develop

Interview → Engage → Equip → Empower

  1. Engage: Just ask. “Would you pray about serving in [ministry]?”
  2. Equip:
    • Spiritual gifts test
    • Ministry opportunities menu
    • Pair with a mentor
  3. Train:
    • Monthly training tips (email, video, lunch & learn)
    • Use free resources (RightNow Media, Lifeway, etc.)

1: Send

Provide Opportunities – Support – Encourage

  • Launch “Serve Saturdays”
  • Celebrate first-time servers from the stage
  • Follow up within 48 hours: “How was your first Sunday serving?”
  • Support with tools, budget, and prayer

Your church doesn’t need more members. It needs more owners.

Will you lead the way?

Letting Go of Ministries That No Longer Serve: Pruning for a Thriving Church

I recently moved and my new home has fruit trees. I know nothing about fruit trees, so I went to YouTube to learn about caring for apple, pear, and cherry trees. All the experts emphasize the importance of regular pruning to maintain a healthy, growing tree. They also acknowledged how scary pruning can be for the novice gardener since they do not want to cut off too much and damage the tree – but the pruning needs to be done. The same principle is true in revitalization as well: pruning=health & growth.

In my time as a revitalizer, this is without a doubt one of the hardest things I’ve had to do because every church has its sacred cows—those once-thriving ministries that now limp along on life support. The annual chili cook-off that used to pack the fellowship hall. The midweek program with three faithful attendees and a budget line that could fund a mission trip. The tradition everyone loves… but no one can remember why.

Here’s the hard truth: Holding on to ineffective ministries isn’t loyalty. It’s sabotage.

Letting go isn’t betrayal. It’s pruning—the painful but necessary cut that redirects life to new growth (John 15:2). If your church is in revitalization, this is non-negotiable. Here’s how to do it with grace, wisdom, and unshakable vision.

Step 1: Face the Facts (Recognize the Signs of Decline)

Sentimentality clouds judgment. Ask the tough questions:

  • Attendance: Are the same 5 people showing up… and one is the leader’s spouse?
  • Impact: When’s the last time this ministry led someone to Christ, discipled a believer, or served the community?
  • Resources: Is it consuming 20% of the budget for 2% of the fruit?

Red Flag: If you’re propping it up “for Mrs. Edna,” it’s already dead.

Be ruthless with data, gentle with people. Declining ministries aren’t failures—they’re former successes that have completed their mission.

Step 2: Honour the Past (But Don’t Live There)

Every ministry had a season. Celebrate it.

  • Host a “Ministry Memorial Service” — share stories, show old photos, thank volunteers.
  • Create a “Wall of Impact” — plaques or a digital slideshow in the lobby.
  • Publicly thank the founders: “Because of your faithfulness in 1998, 47 kids came to Christ. That season is complete—now God’s doing a new thing.”

Principle: People don’t resist change. They resist loss. Honor the past so they can release it.

Step 3: Involve the Congregation (Transparency Builds Buy-In)

Don’t decide in a leadership bubble. Crowdsource wisdom:

  • Town Hall Q&A: “Does the Tuesday quilting ministry still align with our mission to reach young families?”
  • Anonymous Surveys: “What ministries feel life-giving? Draining?”
  • Focus Groups: Invite critics and champions to the table.

You’ll be shocked—often the loudest defenders are secretly relieved when it ends.

Step 4: Measure Against Vision (Not Nostalgia)

Post your church’s 3-year vision on the wall. Now hold the ministry up to it:

Ministry Supports Vision? Resource Drain Verdict
Wednesday Night Visitation ❌ (0 salvations in 2 yrs) High (gas, time) Cut
Community Food Pantry ✅ (serves 200/month) Moderate Keep & Expand

If it doesn’t propel you toward disciple-making, community impact, or next-gen reach, it’s baggage.

Step 5: Execute a Graceful Exit (No Ghosting)

Abrupt endings breed resentment. Plan the funeral:

  1. Announce 90 days out: “After prayerful evaluation, we’re sunsetting X on [date].”
  2. Host a final celebration: Potluck, testimonials, prayer.
  3. Redirect people: “Jane, your gift for hospitality would crush it in our new neighborhood outreach.”
  4. Repurpose resources: Announce the new initiative the budget will fund.

Pro Move: Tie the ending to a launch. “The $3,000 from the craft fair now seeds our foster care ministry.”

Step 6: Redirect with Purpose (Death Funds Life)

Empty calendars and budgets are holy opportunities. Don’t let them sit idle.

Examples of Redirection:

  • Old VBS budget → Summer serve days in low-income schools.
  • Empty Wednesday night building → Alpha course for skeptics.
  • Freed-up leaders → Mentor 12 emerging disciples.

Show the win. Post photos of the new ministry in action. Momentum snowballs.

Step 7: Trust God in the Tension

Change stirs grief. Expect pushback. Respond with:

  • Prayer: Lead a 40-day prayer focus for the new thing God’s birthing.
  • Scripture: Preach John 12:24 — “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies…”
  • Pastoral Care: Meet one-on-one with the displaced. Help them find their next “yes.”

Leader’s Promise: “I’d rather bury a ministry than let it bury our mission.”

The Payoff: Space for Resurrection

When you let go, you don’t just free up a budget line. You free up faith.

I’ve seen churches:

  • End a dying choir → launch a worship night that draws 100 unchurched 20-somethings.
  • Cancel a redundant Bible study → start addiction recovery groups that save marriages.
  • Sell the unused parsonage → fund a youth intern who disciples 30 teens.

Letting go isn’t loss. It’s leverage.

Your Next Step

  1. List 3 ministries that feel more like museum pieces than mission.
  2. Schedule a leadership meeting this week to evaluate one.
  3. Draft the celebration plan before you announce the cut.

“Saying goodbye to what was isn’t defeat. It’s the sound of a church choosing resurrection over rigor mortis.”

The graveyard of dead ministries is where thriving churches plant their future. Start digging.

Closing the Back Door: Keeping Visitors in Your Church for the Long Haul

In the church, there’s a common challenge that many leaders face: attracting visitors is one thing, but getting them to stick around is another. I recently revisited an insightful article by Dr. Ed Stetzer from back in 2004, and its principles feel just as relevant today in 2026. Titled “Closing the Back Door,” it draws from Stetzer’s own experience in starting a church where over a thousand people visited in the first year, but only a hundred stayed. It’s a stark reminder that without intentional strategies, our “back door” – the exit for those who drift away – can swing wide open.

If you’re a pastor, church revitalizer, or volunteer passionate about building a thriving community, this post breaks down Stetzer’s key insights. We’ll explore why retention is tough, the core principles to remember, and a practical three-part plan to invite, welcome, and connect people effectively. Let’s dive in and turn your church into a “magnetic” space where newcomers not only show up but stay and grow.

Why Retention Feels Like an Uphill Battle

Stetzer’s story hits home for many. His church was great at drawing crowds, but the revolving door of visitors revealed a deeper issue. It’s easier to generate buzz and get people through the front door than to nurture them into committed members. Why? Sometimes it’s surface-level stuff like music style, building aesthetics, or service format. But often, it’s because churches overlook a fundamental truth: people tend to “convert to community” before they convert to Christ.

In other words, spiritual journeys are relational. Seekers aren’t just looking for a sermon or a song; they’re craving connections with others on the same path. Believers often invite friends or family, easing them into the experience by explaining the unfamiliar. But for those without that built-in guide, churches must step up to create those bridges.

Three Timeless Principles for Closing the Back Door

Stetzer outlines three key principles that every church should internalize:

  1. Friendliness Isn’t Enough Sure, a warm smile at the door is nice, but people aren’t hunting for a “friendly church” – they’re searching for real friends. Many congregations excel at greetings but fall short on fostering deeper relationships. Without pathways to build bonds, visitors slip away.
  2. Christians and Christianity Are Peculiar Let’s be honest: our faith, practices, and community can seem downright strange to outsiders. That’s not a bad thing – if done right, that “difference” draws people in. But we can’t assume unchurched folks will figure it out solo. Churches need to guide them through the puzzle, making the unfamiliar accessible.
  3. It Takes Intentional Planning Retention doesn’t happen by accident. Treat it with the same energy as a Vacation Bible School or big outreach event. Those efforts are only successful if guests become believers and members. Planning is key to turning one-time visitors into lifelong participants.

A Simple Three-Part Plan: Invite, Welcome, Connect

The good news? Stetzer proposes a straightforward strategy to address this: invite guests, welcome them warmly, and connect them deeply. Here’s how to put it into action.

Invite Guests

If no one’s visiting, start here. Develop an outreach strategy that empowers members to invite friends. This could include organized evangelism, servant projects in the community, or special events. For broader reach, use direct mail, social media, or targeted ads to draw in those without existing connections. The goal: make inviting a natural part of your church culture.

Welcome Guests

First impressions matter – especially in the initial 10 minutes. Newcomers are already stepping into the unknown, so reduce the awkwardness with practical touches. Think friendly parking attendants, welcoming greeters, a clear information centre, high-quality programs, and hospitality that’s sensitive to cultural differences. When this becomes standard, every Sunday feels “guest-safe,” encouraging members to bring others without hesitation.

Connect Guests

This is where retention magic happens. Drawing from church planting professor Dan Morgan, Stetzer emphasizes three types of stability that help newcomers root down: relational, biblical, and functional.

  • Relational Stability: As William Hendricks notes, new Christians often leave within six months if they don’t form at least seven meaningful relationships. Challenge your congregation to expand their circles and befriend newcomers, accepting their initial immaturity. Without these bonds, other forms of stability won’t take hold.
  • Biblical Stability: Teach foundational truths to build confidence in faith. Cover topics like understanding God, assurance of forgiveness, salvation certainty, the church’s purpose, and prayer’s power. Preach and study the Bible as authoritative and life-changing – but only if newcomers are plugged into worship and small groups.
  • Functional Stability: Life doesn’t pause for conversion. New believers might still battle addictions, immorality, or crises. Help them commit to change and develop mature habits. Churches play a vital role here, offering support to break free from what hinders growth. Remember, most adults come to Christ amid turmoil – that doesn’t vanish overnight.

Becoming a Magnetic Church

Ultimately, closing the back door creates a “magnetic church” where members are connected, stable, and committed. Stetzer adapts ideas from The Master Plan for Making Disciples by Win and Charles Arn, listing eight ways members grow:

  • Worship regularly
  • Guide friends and family to follow Christ
  • Identify with church goals
  • Tithe regularly
  • Identify seven new friends in the church
  • Identify their own spiritual gifts
  • Participate in at least one role or task in the church
  • Participate in a small group

These aren’t checkboxes; they’re markers of a vibrant, rooted community.

Final Thoughts: From Greenhouse to Blossoming Faith

Many churches master attraction but struggle with assimilation. As Stetzer puts it, intentional connection turns churches into “spiritual greenhouses” – places where new believers take root, grow, and bloom.

Who’d want to leave that?