Problems in New Churches

Q: What are the problems faced by the new churches?

A: Newly formed churches usually have a wonderful energy and love for the
Lord. They are often instrumental in reaching the lost at a faster pace
than older, established churches. They are in a real sense at the cutting
edge of the work of the gospel. Older churches have much that can be
learned from new churches.

However, you asked me about the problems faced by new churches. Of
course, the Bible does not give us a list, so I can only draw from my own
experience and observations. As always, these comments are valuable only
to the extent that they line up with God's word. Let me list a few
problems that seem to be especially found in new churches (though they
can occur in older ones as well):

1. Male Leadership - New churches tend to draw more ladies and come up
short on godly men who can help lead the church in the right way. I am
not taking anything away from the godly women who are in the churches.
But God has established a plan for the church that requires male
leadership. Sometimes, the first real need of the church is for these
men. It should be a matter of prayer from the start.

2. Model Families - In order to know how to have a Christian marriage
and family, most people need to see the proper ways of living in the
lives of others. Initially, this example should come from the pastor and
his family. However, God needs to raise up other families in the church
who can help others see what a Christian marriage and a Christian family
should be like. As you can see, this need is related to the need for
godly men in the church. When you get one, you will begin to get the
other. But this should also be a matter of prayer.

3. Maturity - Immature believers tend to go from one extreme to another.
They get very excited when things are going well and get very depressed
when something goes wrong. Mature believers moderate these extremes so
that the church is not destroyed by them. This takes training,
discipleship, and time, but it is very important.

4. Stability in Doctrine - Young believers are more likely to be "tossed
to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine" (Ephesians
4:14). There is a real danger of young congregations falling into false
doctrine because of this. The solution is for the pastor to spend serious
time teaching the basic doctrines of the faith to the entire
congregation. As has been said by others, those who stand for nothing
will fall for anything.

These, at least, are the problems that come to my mind as I consider your
excellent question. I am sure that others could add much to this. May the
Lord bless you.

Till He comes,

Pastor David Reagan

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