The Pathways to Failure: Avoiding the Pitfalls of Unfulfilled Promises and the Mythological Comeback Kid
Sustainability is a challenge that many churches face in today’s changing landscape. When congregations find themselves in decline, they often look for solutions that will reverse their trajectory and bring new life into their church. However, not all solutions lead to sustainability. Some pathways—though pursued with hope and good intentions—often result in greater frustration, division, and eventual failure.
Two of the most common yet misguided approaches churches take when trying to secure their future are:
- Unfulfilled Promises – when a church creates a strategic plan for renewal but resists the very changes it calls for.
- The Mythological Comeback Kid – when a church believes a charismatic young pastor will single-handedly bring revival.
Both of these pathways are more likely than not to fail—not because revitalization is impossible, but because these approaches are rooted in unrealistic expectations and a lack of deep, committed change.
The CBFNC Church Sustainability Initiative (CSI) exists to help churches avoid these dead-end paths and instead discover realistic, mission-driven, and sustainable ways forward.
Pathway #1: The Unfulfilled Promises
This church recognized its decline and took what seemed like the right steps—hosting church-wide conversations, listening to concerns, and creating a strategic plan for renewal. They called an energetic pastor with experience leading churches through transformation.
Yet, within six months, it became clear that the church was unwilling to follow through on its own vision. When small changes were introduced, resistance emerged. Instead of rolling up their sleeves and participating, many members chose to watch from the sidelines. When the time came for bolder changes, members either openly opposed them or silently resisted.
Feeling defeated, the pastor left within two years, and the church remained stuck, disillusioned, and in worse shape than before.
Why This Approach Fails:
Strategic plans mean nothing without buy-in. A beautifully written plan cannot enact itself. If the congregation isn’t willing to embrace change at every level, the plan is doomed from the start.
Desiring change and being willing to change are two different things. Many churches say they want growth, but true transformation requires sacrifice, discomfort, and a shift in church culture.
Resistance is normal, but unchecked resistance is destructive. Change will always come with discomfort, but when members refuse to participate—or even actively sabotage efforts—it undermines the entire process.
How CBFNC’s Church Sustainability Initiative Can Help:
Guided Congregational Buy-In: CSI helps churches assess their readiness for change before making commitments that they aren’t prepared to fulfill.
Practical Coaching for Change Leadership: CSI equips church leaders with tools to navigate resistance, ensuring they aren’t alone in the process.
Honest Conversations About Capacity: Not every struggling church is in a position to implement a major renewal plan. CSI helps churches discern their best next step, whether it’s restructuring, replanting, or a different path entirely.
Pathway #2: The Mythological Comeback Kid
This church also recognized its decline and wanted a turnaround. But instead of looking at its own culture, structure, and willingness to evolve, it pinned all its hopes on hiring the perfect young pastor—someone with an attractive family, fresh ideas, and a modern approach.
The belief?
- “If we just bring in a dynamic new leader, people will come back!”
- “If the community sees we’ve hired someone exciting, we’ll grow again!”
- “If we have new leadership, we can recreate the glory days!”
At first, this shiny new pastor did exactly what was expected—leading big, visible changes. The traditional music minister and financial administrator were fired and replaced with a worship band leader and a multiplication pastor. Worship styles were altered, staff structures were overhauled, and radical shifts took place.
Except, instead of attracting throngs of new people, the changes alienated the very members who had kept the church going. The new vision was forced upon the congregation without a clear plan to unify old and new members.
The result?
- The pastor burned out in less than three years.
- Many longtime members quietly left.
- The church never grew.
Why This Approach Fails:
A pastor is not a magic bullet. No single leader—no matter how dynamic—can single-handedly reverse decline if the church itself is not willing to engage in the hard work of change.
You cannot hire your way into growth. Growth doesn’t come from a flashy hire; it comes from authentic, strategic engagement with the community and a willingness to evolve.
Forcing radical change without trust causes division. Change must be gradual, inclusive, and clearly communicated. Members need time to process shifts rather than feel like their church has been hijacked.
How CBFNC’s Church Sustainability Initiative Can Help:
Realistic Church Growth Planning: CSI helps churches move past the myth that one leader can fix everything, guiding them toward more sustainable strategies.
Assessing Church Identity: Instead of blindly chasing a younger demographic, CSI helps churches discern who they are now and how they can meaningfully engage with their community.
Sustainable Leadership Transitions: CSI supports churches in hiring and onboarding new leadership wisely, ensuring that the congregation is fully aligned with a realistic vision.
A Better Way Forward: Realistic, Sustainable Change
The good news? Failure is not inevitable. Churches can thrive—but only if they move beyond wishful thinking and commit to realistic, sustainable pathways.
Ask Yourself:
- Is our church truly ready for change, or do we just like the idea of change?
- Are we hoping a new pastor will save us, or are we committed to congregational transformation?
- Have we been honest about what we are willing to sacrifice to move forward?
- Have we sought outside guidance to help us navigate this process wisely?
How the Church Sustainability Initiative Can Help
The CBFNC Church Sustainability Initiative (CSI) exists to help churches avoid dead-end paths and instead find their next most faithful step. Whether it’s:
- Rethinking ministry focus,
- Exploring mission-driven partnerships,
- Restructuring for long-term health,
- Or developing realistic pathways for leadership transitions—
CSI provides coaching, resources, and community support to ensure your church doesn’t just survive but thrives.
Take the Next Step Today
If your church is struggling with sustainability and is unsure how to move forward, you are not alone. The CBFNC Church Sustainability Initiative is here to help.
Do you want to see if the Church Sustainability Initiative is right for your congregation? Take the Church Sustainability Pathway Discovery Guide for better insight here.
To learn more about how CBFNC can support your congregation, visit www.cbfnc.org/sustainability.
– By Andy Hale
CBFNC associate executive coordinator
This is one article in a seven-article series on church sustainability. Access the other six below:
Read Church Sustainability Series: Ethical Partnerships and Sustainable Congregations here.
Read Church Sustainability Series: Reimagining Sacred Spaces here.
Read Church Sustainability Series: Finding Hope in a Changing Church here.
Read Church Sustainability Series: Redefining Success, Maintaining & Failure here.
Read Church Sustainability Series: Sustaining Care here.
Read Church Sustainability Series: Rethinking Ministry Roles here.
