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Dear Beloved Members, Pastors, and Supporters,
Its February, and a great time to reflect on barriers that might be holding your church back from fulfilling its God-given mission. Growth is about more than numbers; it’s about expanding the Kingdom of God and making a greater impact in your community. However sometimes, barriers—both seen and unseen—can hinder that growth. What barriers exist in your church, and how can they be overcome?
Physical Barriers: Does your church building feel welcoming and accessible? Outdated facilities, lack of parking, or limited seating can create physical barriers that prevent people from fully engaging. Consider how your church’s environment (both physical and virtual) affects visitors and members alike. Are there areas where improvements—such as better lighting, better signage, ADA compliance, or even expanding space—could help remove these obstacles?
Geographical Barriers: For some churches, location is a challenge. Perhaps your church is tucked away in a hard-to-find spot, or maybe your community makes it difficult for members to gather safely, especially at night. Explore creative solutions like offering alternative services, providing transportation, or hosting small groups in homes to bridge the gap.
Man-Made Barriers: Sometimes the biggest barriers are the ones we unintentionally create. Are there unspoken rules or traditions, worship styles, language preferences, etc., that might alienate newcomers? Are communication gaps or leadership struggles hindering unity and vision? Evaluate your church’s culture, policies, and practices. Ensuring an atmosphere of hospitality, transparency, and inclusion can go a long way in breaking down these walls.
Above all, we must also address the spiritual barriers that may hinder growth. Prayerlessness, lack of discipleship, or unresolved conflict within the body can limit the church’s ability to thrive. Pastor you must lead your church family to seek God wholeheartedly, commit to prayer, and pursue reconciliation where needed.
We may never remove every barrier, but we must eliminate barriers that hinder progress. Growth happens when we help people smoothly navigate necessary barriers and help them trust God to work through them. Whether the obstacles are physical, geographical, man-made, or spiritual, the solution often begins with an honest assessment and a willingness to change. The CCBA stands ready to support your church in overcoming these challenges. We are here to help you find solutions that enable your church to grow and thrive.
Take time this month to pray, reflect, and develop a plan toward removing those barriers. Together, we can move toward greater Kingdom impact!
Here to Serve!
Richard Taylor
Director, Corpus Christi Baptist Association
Rtaylor@ccbaptistassociation.org
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