An Idea

 Here's an idea. The world we live in is much different from the world our Fellowship began in. Things that worked back then may or may not work today. The Gospel is the same. Our methods, while similar, might need to adapt to the world we live in.

Our problem is that tradition outweighs innovation. The good is the enemy of the great. We no longer try things to see what will work, we spend great effort to perfect what has been handed down to us. 

Who is responsible for keeping our ministry relevant? I say the tone and the structure and the rules of our church are set by the pastors. So it behooves our pastors to be on top or abreast of the current culture to make sure that our labors are not in vain.

One area where this applies is in regard to the consumer mentality of visitors. You only have one chance to make a first impression. So as long as the folks sitting next to a visitor are cordial, we have done our job. It is up to our pastors to minister in an appealing way. Whether that is style or anointing, that is their responsibility. To make people want to come back a second time is their job, not ours.

If the whole church is cold or aloof or uninterested that is a pastoral failure. 

If a pastor is going to get credit for growth and success he must also take responsibility for the lack of success. 

One final thought on consumer Christians. If we have something they want and need, they will come back, they will commit, and they will in time support. Don't be too quick to cast out the baby with the bath water.