By Alan Rudnick
The Washington Redskins had started a good fight against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday night football. The Redskins came out strong and scored 14 points quickly. It was looking like they were a sure win to continue into the NFL playoffs with strong momentum.
Then, a Redskins fan’s greatest fear came to reality.
Star rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III, who was not 100 percent healthy, sustained hit after hit and injury after injury. Meanwhile, the Seahawks put together a multi-quarter drive to put points on the scoreboard.
RG3 became weaker and weaker. His passes were ineffective, and his signature running game was just a limp jog to the sideline.
It was like watching a train wreck slowly. “Is anyone going to do anything about RG3?” I yelled at the TV.
Passes were misfired, plays were broken up and interceptions occurred. Finally, the game was lost.
Immediately, fingers started to point as to who was responsible for RG3’s unhealthy play. It was the coach. It was RG3. It was the team doctor. The list went on.
How could this happen?
A similar question is asked when churches begin to decline and die. Some see the signs: congregational misfires, church ego injury and a limping leadership. However, no one does anything to change course.
Watching a church die is a painful process. A place of hope, resurrection, life and compassion begins to turn inward and cannot see the warning signs.
Much like RG3 in the 2013 wildcard playoffs, dying churches do their best to stay in the game. They wrap their wounds, keep using the same plays and wildly try to be a church they can no longer be. Even if a young talented leader comes in to a dying church, that leader can only be as successful as he or she is equipped to be.
Many churches do not accept that they are dying until they are injured and wounded. By then, it is so late in the game that changing course seems hopeless.
How can churches change the direction of the game?
Call a time out. Take out the wounded and care for them. A church must heal from past wounds of loss, despair and lament their downfall. Only then, can a church begin to imagine a new future that is bright, exciting, and hopeful. Processing the grief and loss of decline can help the wounded. Then, a church can stop looking inward and can begin to look outward by asking the question, “How is God calling us to play the field of ministry in light of our situation?”
Sometimes a new coach or leader is needed. Sometimes a player may need to be treated. However, the true issues lie within a church’s ability to look at their reality and to make a new plan for the future.
For the Redskins it was too late. The damage was done. Now, fans hope that RG3 can heal and bring new life in the 2013-2014 season.
Likewise, churches who experience death, tragedy or decline can reverse course, but only if they can focus on healing. And, if they can focus on what God holds in store for them in the future.