The #ReimagineFORUM Coaching Session with Jim Morgan

Jim Morgan is an innovative thought leader (check his blog) who shares insights on on the confluence of compassion, evangelism, and disciple-making.

WHY?

Why is it important for Christian leaders to begin a journey of rethinking ministry in your focus-area?

Jesus’ model for evangelism is prayer, care, then share. However, the model for today’s church is invite, involve and invest – with pastors assuming all evangelism responsibilities. Our churches no longer focus on challenging churchgoers to become disciples but on attracting and retaining congregants.

Why will a "reimagine journey" be difficult and potentially dangerous to the status quo?

Asking “successful” churches to scrap their internally-focused model risks losing members to the churches down the road that still cater to the needs of “customers”.

WHEN?

Agree/Disagree ~ We live in an extraordinary world: Globalization. Immigration. #BlackLivesMatter. Gender reclassification. Marriage Redefined.. #MeToo. The rise of White Supremacy. Terrorism. Unpredictable Weather. The impact of the Industrial Revolution gives way to the Technological Age. . . . This a time of epic change that requires the Church to rethink how we apply biblical truth to the traditions-programs-models-systems that format everything we do.

Disagree, the Gospel isn’t complicated not does it need to be reshaped to fit the nuances of modern society. We’re overthinking and diluting the Gospel message as we try to conform it to the modern (secular, self-obsessed) context. People either believe in the existence of sin and need for repentance, or they don’t – it’s that simple. Since our society does not, that’s the fundamental disconnect between the Christian world view and secular world view. Jesus, Peter, Paul and John the Baptist all came out of the gates preaching repentance but pastors and evangelists today are afraid to talk about sin because it’s not socially acceptable in our day and age.

How does your ministry help Christian leaders equip those they serve to begin the reimagine journey?

My Blog + Technology to enable churches and ministries to unite and mobilize, bringing help and hope to struggling families.

√ these (and other) posts from Jim's blog:

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√ for Free Bulletin from The #ReimagineFORUM

A Recent Blogpost from Jim Morgan

This blog began over 11 years ago and is based on a quarter-century of work with thousands of churches across the U.S.

It’s written in a Spirit love for the Church. It’s written with a sense of urgency out of concern for practices and trends associated with the church growth movement.
Yes, the blog is often critical – desperately calling for church reform, yet without condemnation. Love for the Father compelled Isaiah and Jeremiah to speak up boldly about disobedience by religious leaders and followers in the Old Testament.

Martin Luther’s motive for posting his 95 Theses on the door of All Saints’ Church in 1517 was the same as ours for posting the 30 Theses for Contemporary Church Reform online in 2015. The issues differ but are rooted in similar motives and misconceptions 500 years later…

Dependence – church leaders as focal points, drawing attention to themselves
Centralization – loyalty to the institution, attendance, and retention as KPIs
Facilities – heavy investment in construction and maintenance of buildings
Discipleship – weekly gatherings favored over individualized study and worship
Compassion – little emphasis on poverty alleviation, hunger, and child welfare
Evangelism – not equipping well for personal sharing with non-believers
Consumerism – expectations of giving in exchange for services provided
Abdication – leaders assuming responsibilities rightfully belonging to members
Cheap Grace – genuine life change not required, expected, or measured

Fortunately, raising these issues in America today no longer risks persecution by the religious establishment. Yet despite an increasing number of Christians recognizing how the church growth movement has altered the definitions of “church” (a place vs. people) and its biblical “customer” (members vs. the “lost” in the community), few have the courage to address those tendencies with their pastors.

BONUS Content >>>SCROLL for RELATED COMMENTARY by GUEST-POSTERS + FEATURED CONTRIBUTORS

Reimagine Curator September 10, 2026 22:55
A Recent Blogpost from Jim Morgan

This blog began over 11 years ago and is based on a quarter-century of work with thousands of churches across the U.S.

It’s written in a Spirit love for the Church. It’s written with a sense of urgency out of concern for practices and trends associated with the church growth movement.
Yes, the blog is often critical – desperately calling for church reform, yet without condemnation. Love for the Father compelled Isaiah and Jeremiah to speak up boldly about disobedience by religious leaders and followers in the Old Testament.

Martin Luther’s motive for posting his 95 Theses on the door of All Saints’ Church in 1517 was the same as ours for posting the 30 Theses for Contemporary Church Reform online in 2015. The issues differ but are rooted in similar motives and misconceptions 500 years later…
- Dependence – church leaders as focal points, drawing attention to themselves
- Centralization – loyalty to the institution, attendance, and retention as KPIs
- Facilities – heavy investment in construction and maintenance of buildings
- Discipleship – weekly gatherings favored over individualized study and worship
- Compassion – little emphasis on poverty alleviation, hunger, and child welfare
- Evangelism – not equipping well for personal sharing with non-believers
- Consumerism – expectations of giving in exchange for services provided
- Abdication – leaders assuming responsibilities rightfully belonging to members
- Cheap Grace – genuine life change not required, expected, or measured
Fortunately, raising these issues in America today no longer risks persecution by the religious establishment. Yet despite an increasing number of Christians recognizing how the church growth movement has altered the definitions of “church” (a place vs. people) and its biblical “customer” (members vs. the “lost” in the community), few have the courage to address those tendencies with their pastors.

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