Health Club Model
Lutheran pastor Michael Foss argues that the central challenge facing many congregations today is to shift their dominant paradigm from being cultures of membership to cultures of discipleship. When Foss describes what he means by a culture of membership, he turns to the model of the now-ubiquitous health club. Writes Foss:
"I don't want to push the analogy too far, but for the sake of illustration, let's think of the membership model of church as similar to the membership model of the modern health club. One becomes a member of a health club by paying dues (in a church, the monthly or weekly offering). Having paid their dues, the members expect the services of the club to be at their disposal. Exercise equipment, weight room, aerobics classes, an indoor track, swimming pool—all there for them, with a trained staff to see that they benefit by them. Members may bring a guest on occasion, but only those who pay their dues have a right to the use of the facilities and the attention of the staff. There is no need to belabor the point. Many who sit in the pews on Sundays have come to think of church membership in ways analogous to how the fitness crowd views membership in a health club."
Symptoms (does this apply to you?)
Facilities and staff time should be meeting for the needs of paying members first
Staff visitation of home bound and hospital visits take priority
Programs and ministries are created based on the needs members not the public
Low participation in Bible Studies and outreach ministries
Pastors have high turnover rate (people want something new and exciting)
Finances are how we measure people's satisfaction
People in the church do not reflect the demographic of those outside the church
Solutions
Focus on a small group of growing disciples – Go Deeper
Do mission trips outside your geographic area – See the real needs of others and experience the Spirit working through you
Invite outside speakers from other areas and churches – hearing what other healthy churches are doing may inspire and challenge people to rethink church
What are your thoughts, symptoms and solutions?
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