3 Things Dying Churches Can Do To Avoid Going Out Of Business

JUNE 9, 2013 1 COMMENT

“Any guess to the number of closings in 2013 is speculation on my part. I wouldn’t be surprised, however, if the numbers reach the 8,000 to 10,000 level.” – Thom Rainer

On November 28, 2012 Awrey Bakeries announced the closing of its Livonia, MI plant just outside of Detroit.  The bakery had been in business 103 years, was a hometown favorite, and employed 203 individuals.  At its peak, Awrey did $75 million in annual revenue from its 218,000 square foot plant.

On February 19th, just 24 hours before being auctioned off, two local businessmen, Ron Beebe and Jim McColgan purchased the business temporarily averting disaster.  However, because of the company’s uncertainty, many customers had already found new suppliers and sales were plummeting.

McColgan has over 25 years in the food business running three bakeries and numerous restaurants.  Beebe was the business arm with one of his holdings being a gluten-free bakery.  Gluten-free products are something the two feel could be successfully launched.

Since February, many perviously laid-off workers have been rehired and the company hopes to break even this year.  For Awrey Bakeries to remain competitive, however, several business leaders have offered the following suggestions:

As I read their advice, I felt their insights were applicable to churches which may also be going out of business.  If these principles could rescue a bakery which provides bread, maybe they could also rescue a church which provides the Bread Of Life. 

1. Change Your Identity – Charles Rothstein advised Awrey to get “a contemporary identity, and it has to change its messaging to consumers so it can be seen as part of the health wave. It should use social media to get the word out about Awrey’s new products. Gluten free is still a niche market, and it’s not big enough to sustain a business on its own.”  Churches that are dying must change their model of ministry.  This would apply to worship services, developing a web and social media presence, and changing the age and ethnicity of the church staff and lay leadership.
2. Aggressively Address Needs In Your Community – Van Conway is a turn-around specialist for businesses.  He states “it’s a matter of selling products consumers want. The company has to expand its product line.”  Your church must exist to serve your community, schools, and businesses.  It is vital that you discover and address the needs of those around you.  To watch my can’t-miss interview with Ike Reighard on growing a church through community ministry, click here.
3. Heavily Invest In Those Already In Your Church – The only thing that appreciates in your church is your people.  From a value perspective, people are also the thing Jesus died for.  Chuck Benjamin said of Awrey, “The owners need to instill in the employees the esprit de corps that you need in a turnaround. The union employees took two wage cuts in eight years. That does not make for happy employees. The owners should create incentive programs for the employees–say, for every dollar the company makes, 2 percent will be put into an employee fund. They could do a paid company lunch each month, where employees are free to ask the executives questions. Anything would help.”

For how to grow a plateaued, declining, or even dying church, click here to watch more of my interview with Ike.

Local churches are far more important than a bakery.  Our desire is for Awrey Bakeries to prosper and prevail but it is local churches where human lives can be eternally redeemed.

If you change your identity, aggressively address needs in your community, and heavily invest in those already in your church, with the power of God your church may avoid going out of business.