One of the best lines from one of my favorite movies is Andy Dufresne in The Shawshank Redemption saying, “I guess it comes down to a simple choice, you know. Get busy living or get busy dying.” This applies to many moments in life and, perhaps, nowhere more frequently than in the lives of churches.
I have spent more than 30 years helping churches on three different continents with this simple choice – living or dying – and several things stand out among those that choose life. These characteristics, regardless of the church’s size, resources, or status, have been consistent among churches that are busy living. To be clear, I believe life involves growth, and growth involves change. In any church, choices that simply avoid change or prevent growth are ultimately choosing death.
So, what do churches that are busy living have in common?
Clarity about the ownership and purpose of the church.
Regardless of the church’s name or affiliation, its leaders and members understand it to be the Church of Jesus Christ. By this, I mean they know the church does not belong to them – it belongs to Jesus. As the Body of Christ, the church’s sole purpose for existing is to fulfill Jesus’ mission in this world, to follow what He said and reflect what He did. Jesus is not just the decorating theme; He is the determining factor in every decision.
Relentless outward focus.
This second characteristic flows naturally from the first. We have Jesus because “God so loved the world,”[1] and nothing less. In His own words, Jesus came to “seek and to save the lost.”[2] He said, “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”[3] While Jesus clearly wanted us to be unified[4] and loving toward one another[5], a “church” that is inwardly focused – concerned first with what the congregation wants or needs – has lost touch with its purpose.
Willingness to do what others are not willing to do.
Finally, there is no magic to churches that are vital and growing. Most often, they are simply willing to do what others are not – like change. Whether it is something major like adding a worship service, changing worship style or times, or little things like clearing out clutter or parking and sitting somewhere else to make room for others, people in these churches choose life – even when it’s personally unfamiliar, uncomfortable or inconvenient – by living into the purpose of the church.
One of the perennial moments in life where Andy Dufresne’s quote seems particularly relevant is at the beginning of each new year. So, as we head into 2025 and all that God has in store for us in it, what choices do you need to make? What about your church?
Will you “get busy living or get busy dying”?
Jonathan Bell is our ShareChurch Leadership Resources Specialist. He is passionate about helping people and churches live out their faith in the world and helps strengthen other churches by equipping their leaders with ideas, tools, resources and training. He loves being married to his wife Angie and doing just about anything with their six kids. He particularly enjoys hiking mountains, catching fish, baking, holding babies, serving others, and growing things.
[1] John 3:16.
[2] Luke 19:10.
[3] Luke 4:18-19.
[4] John 17.
[5] John 13:35-36