Evolution? Where is your church?

I read this last year at deeper and shared it with a few friends. My guess is that too many of our churches are at Stage 5 and will be unable to enter the rebirth stage. Any thoughts or comments?

Church Evolution

Here is a short theory on the evolution of the traditional church. This is really just from observation and dicussion--not a scientific study, so I am sure this may only apply to different churches in some points--not all. But here are some thoughts--take them for what they're worth.

Stage One: [Origins]A small group of believers meet together and start to talk about starting a new church for like-minded worshippers. They begin to look for a location to meet and they dream about the future--what God will do.

Stage Two: [The Creative stage] The location is found and there is a freshness to the conversation--many people have input and new ideas are accepted. Many programs are started--some stop, others continue for years. 90% of the attenders are involved in serving and the focus is still somewhat on the future and a little on the present. God works in incredible ways and there is always something "new" to talk about and to pray about.

Stage Three: [The worship debate] As more people come--it is quickly evident that many people worship in different ways. As families grow older and new, younger attenders visit--there is a debate about the "old ways" and the "new ways". Style and tradition clash to force the conversation into the present. This stage may even last the longevity of the church.

Stage Four:[Nostalgic Stage] The leaders who were there at the beginning are a little older and if they have not passed on the leadership--there is a big focus on the past. The things that God did and the stories that connect the church are relegated to the past victories. The conversation is stilted to the way God worked when they had very little resources. When new ideas are suggested--the answer is usually, "we've already tried that."

Stage Five: [The Maintenance Stage] Throughout the years there have been many additions added to the church--extra rooms and annexes to make room for the new ideas and new people--and now the building needs a lot of upkeep and care. Soon--the talk begins about repairs that need to take place--what needs fixed and what needs replaced. The conversation turns to furnaces, roofs and driveways(the present)--instead of mission, community, movement and risk. The discussion about "maintaining" is symbolic about the mindset of the church.

Stage Six: [Two possible scenarios] In this stage the church can slip into the "remnant" phase where the church dwindles to a small remnant because of the lack of mission and the failure to pass the torch and focus on the future. Or it can enter into the "rebirth" phase--where younger leaders are garnished with the roles that the veteran leaders hold. If this takes place--there is a new sense of vision and conversation about the future again with great hope and risk and mystery. The rebirth phase can be long and painful but the end is a chance at new life.