Arguably, the American Christian Church has been in decline since the 1970s. Reasons cited for this demise vary among experts, onlookers, and churchgoers alike. I believe a "perfect storm" of fast-growing technology (the fastest in history), increasing American secularism, and political posturing that has brought many competing, and oft unspoken ideals to the national arena, has swept many regular church-goers off the pews in churches across this country. It is worthy to note that as with any institution there must be strong succession, on-going interest, and new "converts" in order for the grand old Church to roll on into perpetuity.
Although the reasons for the decline of The Church is a worthy, if formidable topic, it is not the main focus of this post. Still, I would be remiss not to mention the changing ideals about love, hate, judgement, and the very nature of God, as factors that are driving millennials and other younger demographics away from organized religion, particularly American Christianity, as well. For a bit on this topic specifically, go ahead and check out this link:
https://www.christianitytoday.com/pastors/2015/summer-2015/meet-dones.html
Today in our local churches, large and small, across denominations and faiths, we see growing numbers of open pews, empty offices, diminishing lay-leaders, dwindling church-workers, and a generally aging, die-hard population. It is gut-wrenching and heart-wrenching to those of us who have loved The Church and found refuge in its ranks. Pastors, preachers, and church administrators everywhere are standing toe-to-toe with the realities of church-decline and how to combat it, reverse it, or stave it off. And herein lies an area of confusion that we should work together to clarify. Doing so will help us all move forward with specific purpose, clarity, and strategies that speak especially to our particular church communities, but also have a common thread and connection to The Church that we all need in order to remain, and grow as a community. Church growth, evangelism, neither or both? How does the Church sustain, grow and thrive? I submit the following "equations" for your consideration.
CHURCH GROWTH ≠ EVANGELISM
EVANGELISM (could) = CHURCH GROWTH
EVANGELISM + CHURCH GROWTH = CHURCH SUSTAINABILITY
Share your thoughts with me below, and join me here again for the final entry in this series, Church Growth or Evangelism: What Do You Really Want?