Earlier this year I visited a mainline church that in its heyday was a going concern. Regretfully, those days are clearly past. Although the pastor is trying to turn the church around—and I think he might be the one to do it—it will take time.

This church seems to be mired in a deep rut, embracing more memories than dreams. There are so many sacred cows grazing in the sanctuary the pastor will need worn knees and a heaping of patience to revitalize this congregation.

A prelude turned solo

The service began at 9:45 with an organ solo. While the bulletin called it a "prelude," it quickly became obvious it was more than that. Everyone got in their seats and the program began. (Incidentally, at the end of the service we sat down and listened to another organ solo. Then everyone clapped and left.)

I find it interesting that people in mainline churches badmouth evangelicals for performances by their soloists, praise teams and bands. Yet, I can honestly say that I have never been to an evangelical church where the service started with such a "performance."

In addition, this service had all the parts but none of the flow. It seemed to be broken into disjointed segments. There was the prelude-solo: part one. That was followed by a choral introit: part two. Then we took a break before the "Call to Worship:" part three. Then we did a hymn of praise: part four.

Do you see what I am saying? It just didn't hang together. There needs to be a continuous flow, with a purpose for everything. Churches must be ready for the next service element when the current one is finished, not allow people's minds to wander for 30 seconds before they make the transition.

Bringing people closer together

There were also a few things about the sanctuary that needed to be corrected. Including the choir, there were between 80 and 90 people in a sanctuary that could probably hold 425. It looked bare.

Besides the sparse-looking sanctuary, those in attendance were generally in their 60s, 70s and 80s. No matter how glorious the past, without many young people growth is impossible.

This church isn't alone with the twin problems of underused capacity and aging demographics.

To address the first, I suggest churches block off pews in back to force people to move closer to the front. I know that this is a difficult task with older people, but if you put room dividers about halfway down across the pews they will have to move.

Not only was the congregation spread out, choir members looked out of place in the large choir loft. They were also hard to hear. That problem can be addressed by bringing them out of the loft and onto the front pew. Then they can move to the stairs to sing.

This isn't some frivolous change. The more spread out people are, the less likely they are to form a close-knit community. Make them move together so they can see and touch each other.

Trying to be hospitable

I couldn't fault the members of this church for their hospitality. They tried to be friendly but I'm not sure they know how. It's likely been a long time since they had visitors.

In addition, with so many interwoven relationships, they are too much like a family instead of a community. Hopefully this pastor will be able to affect a change in their attitudes and outreach.

It looks like there's not much happening at this church. A look at the bulletin told me it needs to help its members become stronger Christians and better at ministering in the world.

They need to begin by making the service so exciting that the people can't sit still; they are literally lifted out of their pews. Going to worship should be the most exciting thing one does all week. It is the worship leaders' obligation to make that happen.

Instruction in ministry

This congregation also needs classes on Christian life, discovering their spiritual gifts, and how to use these gifts. They also need encouragement to get out and spread the "Good News" to their community, state and world.

Granted, these may all be happening but if you look at the bulletin they certainly aren't visible. That in itself is a sign of apathy—no one cares enough to take the time to tell others what is happening.

There are no easy answers. Turning around a dwindling church that is steadfastly clinging to the past takes hard work and lots of prayer. But Jesus said that with God, all things are possible (Matt. 19:26.) I think you can take Him at His word.

Adapted from the Phantom Pew Sitter, © 2006, Ken Johnson, President and CEO of The Ken Johnson Group, LLC. To contact Ken, or for permission to reprint this article, send an e-mail to: ken@thekenjohnsongroup.com.