Jenga, that nerve wracking game where players take turns removing blocks from a tower until it collapses, is a pretty good analogy for the precarious condition of many North American churches. The pandemic, the resulting loss of attendance, political and social upheaval, and economic challenges have taken turns removing stabilizing “blocks” from churches. At the same time, many ministries are tilting due to the seeming normalization of moral failures among church leaders. The hidden fractures in many churches have become visible fissures. Can churches regain their stability in such an unstable situation?
A gazillion superficial solutions are being offered to fix the wobbly state of the church, but few get at the root of the issue, meanwhile earthquake after earthquake continues to rock Jenga churches. Something significant has to change, and soon. I believe it starts with church leaders “vacuuming under the rug” to own and remove any sins and heal any historical wounds that have placed roadblocks on their ministry. An unwillingness to address such issues, and the delusion that the issue is outside the church and can only be saved by having the right political leaders, further destabilizes Jenga churches.
But for churches that are honest about their condition and seek to shore up their ministry, God is eager to guide them to a firmer foundation from which they can become the solid witness He expects them to be. He may very well be using the current economic, social, and moral challenges to motivate His people to do so (2 Chron. 7:13-14).
One admittedly Jenga church realized its precarious state in 2018. They intentionally reviewed their history with an ear to hear what the Spirit was saying to them as a church. As they waded through decades of history weighing the blessings, challenges, and crises they faced, they recognized that key blocks had gone missing. These included trust for leadership, and a failure to listen to those with key spiritual gifts in the congregation, gifts like wisdom and discernment. Their wounds ran deep. Fortunately, they were motivated to repent of this Jenga-like condition because their instability was increasing.
Now, four years after their repentance, they are on firmer ground. Their commitment to live in accordance with their repentance has led to an improved church culture. As one congregant testifies, “There is a sense of anticipation in the church. The leaders are following the Holy Spirit in their plans. Some former members are filtering back into the church. And there is a sense of unity I have not felt in ten years.”
That quote describes the kind of building blocks, or perhaps rebuilding blocks, that can shore up shaky ministries, but it takes courageous leaders to lead a church to face these things. May God grant us a season of repentance that transforms Jenga churches into strong lighthouses of gospel witness. If you feel your church’s ministry is beginning to “lean” and become more unstable, and that certain foundation blocks are in danger of being lost or have gone missing from your ministry, check out Dr. Kenneth Quick’s excellent book, Healing the Heart of Your Church at Amazon.com.
Rev. Mark Barnard serves with Blessing Point Ministries which helps ministries experience healing from internal crises. He can be reached at mark@blessingpoint.org.