Five Big Problems in Stagnant Churches

Identifying Barriers to Health, Growth, and Evangelistic Effectiveness

Adapted from insights by Thom Rainer

Every church desires to make a lasting impact for the Kingdom of God. Yet many congregations find themselves plateaued or declining despite good intentions and faithful efforts. Thom Rainer identifies five common challenges that often hinder churches from fulfilling their mission and reaching their communities effectively.

Recognizing these obstacles is the first step toward renewed health, greater disciple-making, and increased evangelistic impact.

1. Holding on to Stale Traditions

Traditions can provide stability and preserve valuable aspects of a church’s heritage. However, when maintaining traditions becomes more important than reaching people with the gospel, ministry effectiveness suffers.

2. Poor or Nonexistent Planning

Healthy churches are intentional. They establish goals, develop strategies, and align their ministries with a clear mission. Without planning, churches often drift rather than advance.

3. Not Enough Assessment or Evaluation

Effective ministries regularly evaluate their effectiveness. Churches that never assess their ministries often repeat ineffective practices and miss opportunities for improvement.

4. Too Much Inward Focus

A church exists not only for its members but also for those who have yet to hear and respond to the gospel. When the majority of attention and resources are directed inward, outreach and mission become secondary priorities.

5. Depending on the Pastor Instead of Making Disciples

Scripture teaches that pastors are called to equip believers for ministry. Healthy churches develop disciples who make disciples rather than expecting the pastor to carry the entire ministry load.

Questions for Reflection

• Are there traditions in our church that may be limiting our effectiveness in reaching people today?
• Do we have a clear strategy for evangelism, discipleship, and community engagement?
• When was the last time we evaluated our ministries and made meaningful changes?
• Are we intentionally focused on reaching people outside our church?
• Are we developing disciples who actively serve, share their faith, and disciple others?

Action Steps for Church Leaders

Pray Intentionally

Ask God to give your church wisdom, humility, courage, and a renewed burden for reaching people with the gospel.

Evaluate Honestly

Identify one ministry, process, or tradition that should be assessed for greater Kingdom effectiveness.

Plan Strategically

Develop a simple, actionable plan to strengthen evangelism and disciple-making throughout the church.

Seek Feedback

Invite honest input from leaders, volunteers, and members regarding areas that need improvement.

Mobilize the Church

Challenge every believer to take one step toward becoming a disciple who makes disciples.

Moving Forward

Healthy churches are not perfect churches. They are churches that continually seek God’s direction, evaluate their effectiveness, and remain committed to fulfilling the Great Commission.

When churches remain focused on evangelism, disciple-making, and reaching their mission field, they position themselves for renewed health and greater Kingdom impact.