Sound Doctrine and Sound Strategies Are Not Enemies

Every time I post a blog or video about church health, someone jumps into the comments and says, “We don’t need strategies—we just need Jesus.” I get it. Jesus is the foundation. If we are not preaching Christ, we are not a church. Period.

But let’s be honest. Most of the churches I walk with are not struggling because they’ve abandoned doctrine. They’re struggling because they’ve abandoned their community. They’ve lost their mission. They’ve forgotten their vision.

They’re not friendly to outsiders. They’re stuck in traditions that no longer serve the gospel. They’re frozen in a decade long passed, and they’re calling it faithfulness when really, it’s fear, pride, or fatigue.

So yes, these churches need Jesus. But not the version of Him that lets us sit comfortably in decline while the world around us goes to hell. Not the version that excuses apathy, avoids change, or clings to dysfunction in the name of doctrinal purity. The real Jesus calls us to make disciples, not just converts. He sends us to love our neighbors, not just preserve our habits. He gives us wisdom, creativity, and the Holy Spirit, and expects us to use them.

That’s why I keep posting about parking lots and hospitality and hallway culture. That’s why I keep talking about systems, meetings, and leadership development. Because strategy matters. Not instead of doctrine, but because of it.

Sound doctrine and sound strategies are not enemies—they go hand in hand. If you preach the truth on Sunday but live in dysfunction the rest of the week, the message gets lost. Orthodoxy without orthopraxy leaves people confused, wounded, and walking out the back door.

You want to know why my videos are practical? Because Paul was practical. He didn’t just teach the deep things of God—he told people to stop gossiping, honor their leaders, build unity, and get off the sidelines. He showed us that theology is meant to shape a church’s culture, not just fill its pulpit.

So, by all means, preach Jesus. Hold fast to truth. But if your church is shrinking, stuck, or silent, do not blame the culture, and do not hide behind theology. Ask if you're still living the mission Jesus gave you. And if not, it’s time to repent, refocus, and rebuild.

Because sound doctrine and sound strategies are not enemies. They are the framework for a faithful church.

TL;DR: Preaching Jesus is essential—but we are called to do more than just preach. Many churches with sound doctrine are still declining because they lack healthy culture, vision, and strategy. Sound doctrine and sound strategies are not enemies; they work together. If we are serious about the gospel, we must also be serious about how we live it out as a church.