Baptist Press reporter Kay Adkins published an interesting report today that focused upon utilizing methods normally thought of as “for the city” to plant and reinvigorate churches in rural areas.
The story highlights the growth of the Brand New Church in rural Bergman, Arkansas. The church is a “re-start” of the former Southside Baptist Church in Lead Hill. The former 31-member congregation now averages over 1,000 in attendance each week … in a town with a population of 407. The incredible turnaround has occurred in less than four years.
The Brand New Church utilizes many of the methods that we associate with urban church plants – praise music, high-tech video, and casual dress. But, in reading the story, I thought the most interesting aspect of the church was its approach to Baptist polity.
Indeed, when pastor Shannon O’Dell came to Southside (prior to re-starting as Brand New Church), one of his requirements was that the church needed to understand and be willing to be “pastor-led.”
Consider this quote from Brand New Church pastor Shannon O’Dell, who said he believes that God has structured the church:
“… to be led by an under-shepherd or pastor” for the sake of Kingdom growth. “Most churches are structured for it to be congregationally led or democratic. God’s order states: #1 God; #2 the pastor; then the elders, deacons and trustees…. [I]t is the pastor’s responsibility to equip and educate with excellence for continued growth,” O’Dell said.
“If there is one thing I could say to the rural church it is: The reason they don’t grow is that they are structured un-biblically,” he commented. “Families in power want all the power in the small local rural church with no responsibility — you’re so trapped you can’t move forward.”
Cliff Methvin, a volunteer in the bus ministry, was a member of Southside before O’Dell came. He said:
“One of the biggest changes when our church turned the corner was when we changed leadership styles from deacon-led to pastor-led,” Methvin said. “But you have to be willing to go the way God leads you.”
How incredibly interesting. According to pastor O’Dell, the typical Baptist polity of congregationalism and “one man / one vote” is not only ineffective, it goes against the order of Scripture. And a Baptist layman within the church seems to think that this change of polity resulted in the formerly declining “turning the corner” toward vitality and growth.
Now, how does his view “wash” with all of our current discussion about a “distinct Baptist identity?” Do you think O’Dell is right? Is a change in polity to pastor/elder leadership, instead of congregational leadership, the necessary step in breathing life into Southern Baptist life?
How do you feel about the ministry and results of this Brand New Church?
July 13, 2007 at 8:03 am
I’m not convinced of his “singular elder” led position–I’d be interested to see more details of his Biblical defense.
There are numerous scriptural references to a plurality of elders and even giving the plurality responsibility for leadership. For example 1 Timothy 5:17 “Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine.”
Besides what in the polity of a pastor led only system allows for correction of a pastor that falls into heresy?
July 13, 2007 at 10:42 am
I think the problem primarily lies not with congregational polity, but with the way it is practiced in many churches. In the apostolic church, we see that leaders were given a wide lattitude to work in, though the congregation was consulted for accountability and “large” decisions (Acts 6). The problem with most rural churches is that they think that everything has to be voted on – thus constraining the pastor and not allowing him to do what needs to be done.
July 13, 2007 at 12:46 pm
Mark,
An excellent point. Scripture does seem to have ample evidence of the leadership of a plurality of elders. But isn’t it interesting that, in large part, Baptists in general tend to reject that form of structure and leadership? I think in the case (church) cited in the article, there is a group of governing elders that has spiritual accountability when it comes to the pastor. At least, that’s the structure in my church.
Excellent comment.
July 13, 2007 at 12:49 pm
John,
I think you have hit the proverbial “nail” on the head. We don’t just have congregational polity … it’s more like “Congregational Polity Gone Wild” in most of our churches. The reason that so many of our small, rural churches are dying is because they see getting together and “voting” as “ministry.” Pastors are treated more as employees rather than as elders. No wonder they come and go every two years, huh?
Great point!
July 13, 2007 at 11:49 pm
John:
I agree. It’s not the form, but how we have changed it or how it has evolved into its present state of ineffectiveness. Just look at our own federal government.
Geoff:
I’ll have to agree with “Congregational Polity Gone Wild.” Although I think it may be “one” reason why rural churches have declined, but it may not be “the” reason. In many small rural churches the constant voting leads to analysis paralysis. It also leads to the pastor having nearly as many bosses as there are votes in the congregation. Both of these situations are not healthy. A pastor I knew could not approve any expenditure over $50 (like printer cartridges) without a congregation vote. That’s ridiculous…
We vote on 6 things: (1) annual budget of the church; (2) disposition of all or substantially all church assets; (3) merger or dissolution of the church; (4) acquisition of assets, real property, and related indebtedness or expenses over $5,000, (5) amendments to the Articles of Incorporation, Constitution, or Bylaws of the Church; (6) calling or removing of a senior Pastor.
July 14, 2007 at 7:45 am
I don’t think elder-led churches are a church-growth issue. I think they’re an scriptural mandate, and there is very little evidence to show that a single pastor was in charge of a single church. It was always a plurality of elders. I’ve lived and pastored in communities that have just about as many people as attend Brand New Church. I’ve led my current church from purely congregational to elder-led. If everyone who had been here when we began this change stayed, we’d be twice as large as we are. We are not, because most of those people left for other congretational churches. I think the biggest issue in rural Baptist churches (and probably in other rural denominational churches) is simply sin and self. That manifests itself in two destructive forces in rural churches: 1) unforgiveness and bitterness, and 2) self-centered religion. People don’t forgive and forget in rural communities. Resentments are held long, and when you live in a static community it breaks relationships. People want it there way. It’s their town, their church, they’ve been there for decades and they believe it should go their way. They believ this even if it means killing their church. We have two worship services, two different worship styles, innovative ministries, high-tech worship, cell groups, and have transitioned to an elder-led congregation. Bottom line. We’ve added a few more people than we lost through all the changs. The greatest growth we have ever experienced came from practicing 2 Chronicles 7:14.
July 14, 2007 at 10:38 am
Keith,
Sorry it took me so long to reply. I fished an overnight tournament last night, so I just got up.
As to “hamstringing” the pastor, I know exactly what you are talking about. I served on staff of a church with a budget over $1 Million, yet it took church approval for any expenditure over $100. It was insane! I honestly believe that our “congregationalism gone wild” restricts the ability of a church to react to ministry opportunities. It is hard to meet a sudden need in your community when you have to stop, give two weeks notice (in writing), allow deliberation, then vote whether or not you are willing to do the ministry.
And we wonder why we are in “negative” growth mode.
July 14, 2007 at 10:45 am
Cyle,
Incredible insights! And, obviously, you have committed to your church for the “long haul.” But it is difficult for any pastor to lead a church through the types of changes that you describe when they “tuck tail” and run for another church (with a higher salary) every time they meet real resistance.
We planted our church in 2002. We lost 1/4 of our “core group” before we even launched, and another 1/4 within a year of launch over exactly the same issues that you described … self-centeredness, bitterness, and control.
My church is also elder-led, though I give more guidance as the “senior elder.” But we are such a family that we have eliminated politics from church life. There is nothing to control! We simply gather for worship, disciple one another in small groups, and find places to serve. And the handful of people who have tried to come in and control things … we helped them find their way to another distinctly congregational church.
Though we are elder-led, we remain a congregational body in the “big decisions.” We will not take a step forward unless we sense that the entire church is in unity. We “vote” on basically the same things that Keith described (comment #5).
But I do have to slightly disagree with you, Kyle. I believe that an over-aggressive, control-focused practice of congregationalism has been a critical element in the slow bleed of life from smaller, more rural SBC churches. I believe that the trend will continue.
July 14, 2007 at 12:10 pm
could the rural churches be declining due to people moving into the bigger towns and cities? could it be as simple as all that? many college kids go off to college never to return again…due to jobs, etc.
thus, the children they have dont come to rural churches either.
david
ps. i’m back from my mission trip to w. va. we saw 26 people get saved, and many, many other wonderful things happen. geoff, we need to set up a time to meet…
July 14, 2007 at 12:33 pm
David!
Welcome home! Awesome report.
I do think that may have had something to do with it in the past. But, the reality in our population today is that the people are actually returning to more rural areas. I know that is the case where we live. People are intentionally relocating to small towns from the cities. People are willing to drive an hour or more each day (one way) to escape the cities. We have many, many people relocating to Trigg County … and most find they are unable to “fit in” within a traditional, historical, family-controlled, democratically congregational, small Southern Baptist church. Much of our church growth comes from the winning of people who “ain’t from ’round here.”
Also … where I live the young people seem to be “staying put” more and more. I don’t know what other areas may be experiencing.
I’m free and clear now. Just send me an e-mail, name the day, and we can get together.
Geoff
July 16, 2007 at 4:13 pm
Geoff,
I just checked out this post and thought you might be interested in knowing some of the research we’ve been doing on rural churches. Many of our rural churches are thriving as they reinvent themselves for the folks that are moving to small towns – and there are a bunch of folks moving to small towns. The ones who are not doing well are typically “family” churches. They are literally started, built and managed by extended families. Since many of these churches were started in the forties and fifties, many of them are now dying out as generations of their kids either move away or lose interest.
I understand what this guy is saying about being pastor-led. There is a season for this in a replant when you almost have to experience martial law just to survive. Also, the lay leaders of some of these family churches have not done their homework: they’ve never read a book on church growth and would not know a demographic from a graphic novel. So it makes sense to hand that kind of decision-making over to a leader who knows what he’s doing. But here’s the rub – the pastor should intentionally be teaching and training his folks to be more prepared for leadership in the future with the goal being to have a knowledgeable, wise group of leaders who can shepherd the church, not just be “yes” or “no” men to the pastor.
One way to do this in a transitioning church is to set up a Leadership Team that meets regularly with the pastor. He sets the agenda and discussion is held on those issues. After hearing the opinions and concerns of all present, the pastor makes the ultimate decision. This is a great way to train leaders and also to reach concensus in decision-making.
By the way, urban churches are failing, too! From what I have seen, if you really care about reaching people for
Christ, are willing to be both biblical and relevant, and have good and godly mentors, you will eventually find a way to do that, and you will grow. If you don’t, you won’t.
July 16, 2007 at 4:22 pm
Hello, Roger!
Excellent insight re: the “family church” thing. And I really like the reference to pastoral “martial law.” Funny, but accurate.
So … listen to everyone’s concerns then tell them like it is, huh? Now I like that kind of “consensus.”
You are quite right in that the “re-defining” churches are doing quite well. That is a major part of the strategy of our church. We have managed to do quite well at reaching the people who have moved here.
Good insights!
August 28, 2007 at 12:43 pm
Geoff, I have only been reading (enjoying) your blog for a few weeks. I was going through older posts to find the ones about baptism that you mentioned. Haven’t found them yet, but I’m close, I think.
(I am wondering why you have the parents baptize)
I know that most of your commentors are pastors, so instinctively most of them would prefer pastor-ruled churches (pastor-rule=God-rule?). My huband pastored for 10+ years in rural churches. I do not think taking away the viable input from the people is the only answer. Sometimes it is a lack of loving leadership from the pastor and especially time. There is order and then there is power. (…greatest is servant and all that…)
Most of today’s pastors want results now. They read about churches that appear to be blessed by God because of phenomenal growth of numbers and want that for their church – yesterday. I doubt if there is a pastor alive today that would have finished the ark, or been able to continue as a prophet with no converts.
People from rural churches need to be able to trust the pastor. For two years, they are holding on to see if he’ll leave – and sure enough, he does. He was not one of them, why should they change for him, he will not be here to piece the fragments back. I know the mentality. Fool me once…
It seems that some pastors are just fine with “cleansing the temple” or pruning some branches to achieve the results they want. I was sectretary in a church that ran about 200, and within two years, there were probably only 8 original families left, but, yipee, they were running about 400. Most of those were from other churches that were coming to hear the more modern music. I wonder where those hurt people are now?
I want to give you one example of a pastor that I feel did it right. He was our pastor for 10 years. He came after a nasty departure of a psychopathic pastor (sorry guys!
). This man nurtured that church, gained its trust, led them to become a praying church and after several years of being there, he could have asked for anything and the church trusted him. We over doubled in size during that time. We had two building projects, thinking about another) We still have those pesky monthly business meetings, but I can’t think of anything, that by the time it was brought to the floor that didn’t pass. We could have just made a list and said, “All in favor of this entire list…” The congregation feels pride that they were instrumental in the decisions, not just that their money is being spent. Wisdom and patience are necessary in rural churches, and a praying, mature, healthy, cooperative church is the reward. Many are going into the pastorate, missions, evangelism and more. The results of time are truly making a difference. I’ll bet that the percentages per capita of pastors and missionaries that come from rural churches are high.
Long post to say that changes are easy if time is taken for the people to trust the pastor. Some pastors are suspect and deserve mistrust and those are the ones that demand blind trust. Some need to truly love their people and show it. Are some churches beyond fixing? (Nothing is impossible with God)
I actually like the Elder-run church, my husband was an elder in a Baptist church. Has the BF&M changed to allow “scriptural offices” other than Pastor and deacons?
August 28, 2007 at 12:47 pm
Sorry for another long post. Maybe I should be blogging on this stuff instead of my homeschooling blog. Nah!
August 28, 2007 at 1:11 pm
Liz,
Well no on can claim that you fail to say what’s on your mind.
You state many very real and important (though not always obvious) truths. So many rural churches have been jaded by transient, ineffective, and sometimes (regrettably) low-integrity pastoral leadership. It does take time for leadership to be developed.
But, then again, some feel that the urgency of the Gospel leaves us with little time to cater to the desires of the already-saved. (I’m not saying that I feel that way, but I have heard it stated thusly.
My church is a combination of elder/congregational leadership. We do not have the monthly business meetings. But, then, we planted this church … it was not already in existence.
Why do we allow parents to baptize? Because it is the ultimate demonstration of the “priesthood of the believer.” Our baptisms are under the authority of the church, not the pastor. We have also had one of our men baptize his mother. It was a beautiful testimony!
August 28, 2007 at 11:43 pm
Geoff,
Church plants are definately the way to go. It sounds like yours is doing great. Love the baptism pictures.
You didn’t answer me about the BF&M. I am just curious.
August 29, 2007 at 4:32 am
I don’t think anything has changed with regard to the BF&M. The 2000 version reads, “Its scriptural officers are pastors and deacons. While both men and women are gifted for service in the church, the office of pastor is limited to men as qualified by Scripture.”
But then the words for pastor and elder were used synonomously and interchangeably in the NT. And, despite our BF&M, one would have to deny several blatant references to deny the biblical foundations for elders.
December 22, 2007 at 7:45 am
A few facts about the new BNC:
The pastors father is one of the elders who set his salary.
What about the $700,000 + they acquired after the old church deacons were done away with so the pastor had control of it?
They closed the old church, which was a pillar to the small community to move to another location in another town. Now they lease the church building to another congregation which by the way seems to be growing.
March 9, 2008 at 8:30 pm
An update for anyone reading this blog – Brand New Church has now grown to 4 campuses with over 2600 in attendance and growing. The main campus is in Bergman, AR with others in Mountain Home, AR, Goshen, AR (referred to as the Northwest Arkansas Campus, near Fayetteville) and the newest in Bryant, AR. Bryant had their first service Feb. 24th, 2008 and had 274 in attendance the FIRST service.
We have a satellite ministry, with all churches worshiping at the same time by live satellite. New campuses are on the horizon. BNC’s vision is to reach all the unsaved we can. It truly is a revolutionary and amazing experience. I personally attend the Mountain Home campus, which started June 5, 2007. I believe the NWA campus started in the fall of 2007, a few month after the MH campus.
Check us out at http://www.brandnewchurch.com
March 9, 2008 at 9:35 pm
hi
October 5, 2008 at 12:15 pm
I live in Utah and attend BNC via their online iCampus. I have done so since the first Sunday in July of this year. I love it! I have never felt more welcome in a Church. I have tried several Churches here in Utah and I have not felt at home at any of them. My husband and I were able to attend their Ribs, Cribs, and Dibs retreat in Branson, Mo. last month. What a wonderful bunch of people. I feel so blessed!
April 18, 2009 at 10:03 am
Shanon O’dell makes promises and does not keep them. Does Shannon not know that by doing this he is truly showing who and what he is. I have done a great intense back check on the Southside Baptist Church. I found many things that Shannon promised and had no intention of keeping. Shannon told Bruce Medley that he would not come to Southside if he did not have control of everything, after Bruce agreed to letting Shannon have control of it all, Shannon then said he would come. It is sad that Bruce had a mind set of him and Shannon controlling it all. Just ask people in a 100 miles (plus) of Southside in all directions and they will tell you they know what really happened at Southside. I also know of lots of people that have left Brand New Church because they did not feel GOD’s presents there. They do not want to go to a “church” that where it is just a show being performed and not hearing a true message from GOD’s Word. Brand New Church is just another “church” that is having GOD form to their ways instead of their live being formed to GOD’s ways. It tells us in GOD’s Word for us to conform our live and ways to Christ and not the other way around. Shannon O’dell keeps his name off everything except his pay check, so if things go wrong it makes it look like Shannon has nothing to do with it. Shanon you know what you did to Southside and other small churches.
Shannon you have done what you set out to do,(((( MAKE A NAME FOR YOUR SELF )))).
What I have been telling is not hear say. If you really want to know the whole truth, talk to the ones who helped build Southside Baptist Church. Better yet, ask Bruce Medley about how Shannon was obtained. Ask questions about what really happened, like why was the church records destroyed and cases of Bibles (new never opened) thrown in the dumpster. Question after question can be ask but if you do ask Bruce or Shannon, you will get a false truth
qoute from a BNC member “The members of the church choose the subjects because shannon and the commitee think that people should choose what they want to learn answers to their questions.”