I was their church consultant in 2003. The church’s peak attendance was 750 in 1975. By the time I got there the attendance had fallen to an average of 83. The large sanctuary seemed to swallow the relatively small crowd on Sunday morning.
The reality was that most of the members did not want me there. They were not about to pay a consultant to tell them what was wrong with their church. Only when a benevolent member offered to foot my entire bill did the congregation grudgingly agree to retain me.
I worked with the church for three weeks. The problems were obvious; the solutions were difficult.
On my last day, the benefactor walked me to my rental car. “What do you think, Thom?” he asked. He could see the uncertainty in my expression, so he clarified. “How long can our church survive?” I paused for a moment, and then offered the bad news. “I believe the church will close its doors in five years.”
I was wrong. The church closed just a few weeks ago. Like many dying churches, it held on to life tenaciously. This church lasted ten years after my terminal diagnosis.
My friend from the church called to tell me the news. I took no pleasure in discovering that not only was my diagnosis correct, I had mostly gotten right all the signs of the impending death of the church. Together my friend and I reviewed the past ten years. I think we were able to piece together a fairly accurate autopsy. Here are eleven things I learned.
- The church refused to look like the community. The community began a transition toward a lower socioeconomic class thirty years ago, but the church members had no desire to reach the new residents. The congregation thus became an island of middle-class members in a sea of lower-class residents.
- The church had no community-focused ministries. This part of the autopsy may seem to be stating the obvious, but I wanted to be certain. My friend affirmed my suspicions. There was no attempt to reach the community.
- Members became more focused on memorials. Do not hear my statement as a criticism of memorials. Indeed, I recently funded a memorial in memory of my late grandson. The memorials at the church were chairs, tables, rooms, and other places where a neat plaque could be placed. The point is that the memorials became an obsession at the church. More and more emphasis was placed on the past.
- The percentage of the budget for members’ needs kept increasing. At the church’s death, the percentage was over 98 percent.
- There were no evangelistic emphases. When a church loses its passion to reach the lost, the congregation begins to die.
- The members had more and more arguments about what they wanted. As the church continued to decline toward death, the inward focus of the members turned caustic. Arguments were more frequent; business meetings became more acrimonious.
- With few exceptions, pastoral tenure grew shorter and shorter. The church had seven pastors in its final ten years. The last three pastors were bi-vocational. All of the seven pastors left discouraged.
- The church rarely prayed together. In its last eight years, the only time of corporate prayer was a three-minute period in the Sunday worship service. Prayers were always limited to members, their friends and families, and their physical needs.
- The church had no clarity as to why it existed. There was no vision, no mission, and no purpose.
- The members idolized another era. All of the active members were over the age of 67 the last six years of the church. And they all remembered fondly, to the point of idolatry, was the era of the 1970s. They saw their future to be returning to the past.
- The facilities continued to deteriorate. It wasn’t really a financial issue. Instead, the members failed to see the continuous deterioration of the church building. Simple stated, they no longer had “outsider eyes.”
Though this story is bleak and discouraging, we must learn from such examples. As many as 100,000 churches in America could be dying. Their time is short, perhaps less than ten years.
What do you think of the autopsy on this church? What can we do to reverse these trends?
Posted on April 24, 2013
With nearly 40 years of ministry experience, Thom Rainer has spent a lifetime committed to the growth and health of local churches across North America.
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473 Comments
I will return in a couple of hours. Headed to LifeWay chapel. Thanks.
This is so sad. I read your post and all of the comments, and with tears in my eyes I type this. I am a youth pastor of a growing church. We are not huge (about 350 in sunday morning worship) but we recently went through a time that was very difficult. The pastor of the church left because of some personal issues. The church came together and pressed through. We still have our struggles but we press forward. I couldn’t help but think, the whole time I was reading your article “There but for the grace of God, go we”. Thank you Thom.
Thanks for your story Hunter.
Great insights. As a retired Director of Missions, I have some questions as to the process used in searching for pastors that resulted in 7 in 10 years, and the leadership abilities of men who would accept a church under those conditions. My observation over the years is that the candidating process is huge, and prayer is lacking in emphasis. However, churches and prospective pastors must be willing to so more exploring and self analysis proactively. Men being willing to settle for a preaching point, and churches having someone to fill the pulpit, may account for the short tenures.
Totally agree Larry.
Larry,
As a first time pastor (just about to celebrate my first anniversary as a pastor) I would point out that I thought I knew what I was getting into but really had no idea. Seminary doesn’t prepare for the pastor search committee interview process very well. I came out of the corporate environment and that didn’t truly prepare me to ask the right questions either. I’ve found out over the past year that several things were not fully disclosed to me either and my church ignored the wise advice of several senior pastors in our association prior to my calling. I admit I almost threw in the towel a few months ago but fortunately my mentor talked me off that ledge. It’s been a struggle but we are seeing some victories and God has taught me so much this year. I didn’t settle for a preaching point, I know I was called here and God has confirmed that time after time.
Larry, I served as an interim director if missions for two years. Most churches received about a hundred resumes when they began their search for a pastor. It seems there is a lot of dissatisfaction and discontentment among pastors, so they are willing to relocate with little preparation or prayer.
Men?
Thank you, Susan. As a woman and an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ (UCC), I had a resigned chuckle at that line as well.
My pastor is a tiny Korean lady. She is a wonderful minister. She has tow doctorates and knows and preaches the Word quite wll. It is a mostly white middle class church, but does reach out and help others outside the church.
I support anyone in the ministry who is truly called by God.
Agreed! Even as a man myself that “men” stuck out like a sore thumb; a reminder of /another/ facet of in-turning division in our Body.
There is a lot of truth to that, Larry. Churches with a bad reputation tend to get pastors with a bad reputation, which just tears both down. At the same time, there are pastors who may be good guys but maybe lack some basic skills or personal charisma to really be effective. If they get into a church with some solid people they can do well, while these dead churches will just eat them alive.
For myself and most of the men and women pastors that I know, the new pastor comes with enthusiasm and excitement to a new call. In my case, I truly thought that I could have a positive influence on the life of the congregations I’ve served and help to lead them into a thriving future. What I’ve found is that the resistance is often deeply ingrained. There are congregants that start working on getting rid of a pastor before the pastor even begins officially. Pastors and congregants bring their own sets of expectations.
Relationships by definition are about more than one party. In the pastor/congregation relationship each party has to accept responsibility. Its easy to point the fingers at the pastors as not being trained enough or “lacking charisma” but they cannot move people on their own. Its easy to point fingers at the elderly congregants, yet isn’t there a place for them to receive solace as they see the world they know change so rapidly around them. Accepting responsbility for the role each party plays is crucial for a healthy relationship.
What we often forget is that the Triune God is in the one who has put this relationship together, promised to supply the needs and the vision, and lives in the relationship. This fact gets forgotten quickly as pastor/congregants begin to act as though it is a battle between them instead of a unity working to serve the Lord.
There is also danger in banding together simply to keep the church alive. Maybe God has a different plan?
Perhaps God’s will in some cases isn’t to use a person to grow others but rather to use others to grow a person?
Thom, as much as it pains me to say it, this could be the story of our church in 5-10 years. As much as I try, it seems they are content with the status quo. New thoughts and ideas are met with negativity. We are mostly an older congregation and they beginning to have some health issues. It can be discouraging at times but we have developed a vision and as pastor I .try to show that everything we do goes through and fits in with the vision. Just pray for us that we be outside minded and can reach our community
Matt –
You and your church are in my prayers.
Bro Thom,
Thank you for sharing the autopsy report. I came to pastor a small church that had unknowing attempted suicide and was on life support. Each and every one of your points above were being practiced regularly. I am pleased to say that by the power of the Holy Spirit, the congregation is no longer on on life support, but is now thriving. We have turned our eyes outside the walls and have reached out to the community. It hasn’t been without struggles; Satan had many emissaries within.
We are doing pretty well with most points above; our finances hinders improving our facilities to the degree we want, but we’re working on it. We have a long way to go, but we’ve come a very long way. My first Sunday there, we had 25 in attendance. This Easter, we had over 90. We have a Food Pantry ministry that provides over 80,000 meals per year. My children were the only ones 5 years ago. Now we have a youth group with about 20 kids.
Again, all credit goes to the Lord for His direction and work in this congregation.
I think any congregation that is struggling can look at your list and find things to “work on.” Thank you.
Thanks for a great story of God’s work Rick. He is indeed able.
We do a simple ministry to the neediest in our community. In the 3 years of this outreach, we have come to so enjoy the building of “church”. In truth, what has happened is that many of those who first came to us to be served, have themselves become the servants. They gather donations, share the news of upcoming events in their more intimate communities, and are becoming prayers of deep prayers. It is beautiful to be part of something the Holy Spirit is doing outside the walls. Has happened so gently most do not realize we have become a church. For all of us, the image is more that of family. Blessings to all of you, Dan
Great job Rick, thank God for that. Keep going : )
Xactly everyone, we have to allow the Holy Spirit to cleanse us,direct change in our life, so that we can move towards change an final development in turn God will use us all to make a difference in order for THIS to work THAT has to agree on one accord! it starts with us taking one step at a time an heeding to the word we believe in! and as long as we do this it will transform. that’s whats happening Rick consistent transformation.
Thom, I served as pastor to one of these churches. Located in a post transition community the culture inside the church was very dissimilar to the culture in the surrounding community. They lived for a resurrection of the past glory. I was unable to persuade the church to address the problem and ultiimately left. I told them i loved them, but now was not the time in the life of this church that I should be wasting their time. Nor was it the time in my own personal ministry that I was willing to let them waste my time. They were on a death march which left unaltered would come to them very soon. On the day I left town in our U-Haul truck, I drove to the church. It was Sunday morning and church was in session. I parked in a vacant lot across the street, stepped out of the truck, opened my Bible and read, “Whatever house you enter, stay there and leave from there. If they do not welcome you, when you leave that town, shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them.” (Luke 9:4, 5 HCSB). I did this without malace, rather in an attempt to say to God, “I tried to lead them to address this problem, but they would not have it.” Like Don’s comment above, in five years the church was sold. The members were scattered and the community was left without a witness in that place.
To fix such a problem is difficult, but I do believe strong and godly leadership is necessary. And that leadership must be informed by these characteristics of an autopsy of a dead church. The battle may be bloody. The pastor will be a champion to some and a demon to others, but I believe it can be done.
I remember well Steve.
Dr. Rainer thanks so much for this post, and Dr. Drake your words are insightful and wise. There are many truths in this artical. At my last church, there was a cultural disconnect. The people on the inside were remembering the glory days of the 70’s and 80’s. The church had peaked during that time. By the time I arrived, the church was in decline. The way they were used to doing business was hit a brick wall (clash of leadership between members or pastor and members), lose about half the church and rebuild from there. It was a sick and disfunctional cycle that praise God I am no longer apart of anymore. The lack of unity in this church was overwhelming, appointing people to committees was all about checks and balances. The whole system ran counter to the unity Jesus prayed for us to have in the gospel of John. Sadly the last business meeting I attended was more of the same. Winning the vote was more important than the instruction of the Word or following their leaders. I cannot but think of what our Savior said in Revelation 3:1 “you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead.” I believe there are many churches that fit this profile. Sadly our convention may be marked by a majority of churches falling into this category.
Indeed a sad situation Travis.
I must jump in here and share a perspective that I rarely hear much about. The reference here is about a local congregation rather than the universal organism (CHURCH). Nearly 500 years ago Martin Luther led the way to what is called the Protestant Reformation. We are in need of another Reformation. Many theologians agree that Luther did not intend to split the CHURCH, yet that happened. Reformation does not mean split. Why reformation is necessary? From Genesis 1, God disclosed himself as the Triune God. The Jewish Shema affirmed that God was “One”. It was God’s plan and design that the CHURCH operate as “One”. Jesus prayed the prayer of Oneness in John 17:21. Paul taught the doctrine of “Oneness” throughout his New Tesatament writings. Today we do not understand the essence or the necsessity of Oneness. The miltary understands the concept as well as any athletic organization. Without ONENESS we will die or simply become worthless and ineffective. We are to be ONE in LOVE, PURPOSE, PLAN and PRAYER. Every local congregation must see the “BIG” picture as well as their own milieu. Mega-churches must see the need to help smaller bodies grow and flourish. Selfishness and myopia will sink any ship or derail any organization. No matter how great an athlete is, if he/they do not play as a team they will NEVER win. We are not winning. The world is coming out of the closet and many of us are going in. Nearly 20 states have legalized same sex marriage and as a nation we kill nearly 4000 unborn babies a day. Where are we? Jesus left us here as both herald and sign. However, too many of us have busied ourselves with our own agenda. To abort one’s purpose may be equal to death. Like the manual to a car or appliance we’ve got to get back to the “MANUAL”.
Great Word.
I think we have focused too much on what is going wrong in the world and we haven’t fixed what is going wrong within the church (and there is plenty). We have a growing population of The Dones – Christians (including many of them older Christians) – are fed up with the problems in the church and are leaving it in droves. They aren’t uncommitted, they aren’t lazy, they aren’t unwilling to share their gifts with the church. They are fed up and they have a right to be.
I wish more Pastors were like you Steve – we have a Church Revitalization Ministry in Canada and unfortunately in going to these dying churches and trying to teach them the principles needed to rebuild we are finding that the Pastors who are there – say they want help and change – but when it comes down to it, they don’t have the heart for it. All too often we spend months pouring into pastors to get them into a healthier place for change, and it does help BUT there are plenty of walls and barriers that pastors won’t let down that prevent change from happening. One of the biggest problems we see though – is that pastors don’t have the passion or the vision to drive the church who is asking for change. You were stuck in a church who did not want the change while you had the passion and vision – 90% of the time we are in churches who want change but the pastor does not have what it takes to cause the change – us coming helps and makes a difference but we are only there for a time, when we leave the pastor often goes back to his quiet unpassionate ways 🙁
I am involved in a church revitalization program in Springfield, MO. We are in the planning phase of the program. Your comments about your experience as a pastor in a dying church, and the brother who serves in a church revitalization ministry was quite helpful. I anticipated that more often than not it would be the congregation that would resist change not the pastor. From your posts I have learned that it can come from both pastor and laity. Thanks for your comments brothers.
DK
You are bang on there DK – it can come from both sides and often does just in different challenges.
The plan for revitalization is critical, having a well thought out process, set of goals, timeline and vision are critical to the success of revitalization. Another key point we have picked up in our work with many churches is that healing must take place – finding a good tool to use to help people heal and get in a very healthy place with freedom from strongholds and unhealthy perceptions is critical. Our team will be praying for you and your church in Springfield. If we can every be of assistance our contact info can be found on our site http://www.4hisminsitry.org – we offer church care to those who can’t afford it.
Thanks for your response. I will definitely be checking our your website and we may contact you with questions. Thanks for what you are doing for the Bride of Christ in Canada.
DK
That’s really too bad. I figured they would be more open if they were having a lot of trouble to begin with.
Steve –
I read your post and felt sad they couldn’t catch your vision and follow your leadership.
I serve a church like that: the community around it had changed, they had begun to turn in on themselves and turn on each other, they were not making budget, had truly idolized the past, etc.
When I was appointed in 2008 (I am Methodist), they told me at my take-in interview that they wanted me to help them reach out to the community. I said, “You understand, if I truly do that, we will have black people in the pews, and in your Sunday school classes, and on leadership teams. Are we going to have a problem with that?” They confessed there might be some difficulty, but gave me their support that night. However, within the first two weeks that I was there, I was told that most people were just treading water, expecting our church to be the next one in town to close.
I am not called to be a church closer. We have been almost constantly outward focused – new outreach efforts every year. One of the most vital ministries is called Circles, which is a national anti-poverty initiative for which we receive grants. We’ve had to be creative in our funding and the leadership of all these outreach initiatives has had to be exceptionally courageous, especially when people who could not catch the vision began to leave the church. Some of these, we just have to call anointed farewells because their departure allowed us to move forward again. Last year, we lost our 2nd largest giver. But in conversation with him, he said, “I know you’re doing the right thing because I see more people coming and more kids. But it just isn’t for me.” When I suggested I would be taking some heat for his departure, he said, “I don’t know why. I’m not going to stop giving to the church.” Holy and anointed farewells…
So, I had estimated last year was our make it or break it year – year 5. I would say it takes at least that long to turn the Titanic. This year, at the end of August, our giving had outpaced our estimate of giving for the first time in well over a decade. We are healthy enough that we are considering putting a new roof on the building. Just a few years ago, we were discussing whether it was a waste of money to do upkeep on the building because it looked like we were on a trajectory to close. It appears God has now decided that we have been faithful with little and is giving us more.
One of the most difficult things to do in church leadership is stay strong and keep moving forward for years at a time, even if it does not seem clear that you are making progress. We are used to quick fixes in our world, but there is nothing quick about a church turn-around!
The title says that there were 11 things, but the article itself only lists 10. ???
Other than that, I found it very helpful. Thank you.
Seems like the most common denominator in those issues is an inward focus (the church turned inward on itself). A (for lack of a better phrase) self-centered church.
– Andy
Wow. Thanks Andy. Somehow the original #5 was left off. We will have it shortly.
Thanks for the post Dr. Rainer, and thanks Andy for the helpful summary. Inward focus will destroy any church, I believe. Simply put I think inward focus is a decision to focus on the found rather than reaching the lost. Focusing on the found without focusing on the lost is evidence of a hole in a church’s spiritual life. God doesn’t seem interested in empowering and equipping a ministry that doesn’t look past those inside the four walls. More to say on that, but I think you probably get it. Thanks again for the post. I am currently working with my Baptist Association that is creating a team and process to help churches revitalize. This post is helpful, and reaffirms for me that we are on the right track.
Blessings,
DK
Thanks for your focus Dan.
After ending our Church this past week, this has come to my attention, that there needs to be a new ministry team of people who come into churches to help support them not financially, but in helping the churches figure out how to support each other and it’s members and keep the workers encouraged so that they can go out to minister in a stronger way emotionally and spiritually.
Somewhat related to point #3 – I once attended a church (for about 18 months before I saw the light), that was running offering to offering. There was little left in the coffers to do anything in the community. During one business meeting, I noticed a line item in the budget entitled “Cemetery Fund”. This item had a dollar value of $110,000.00 attached to it! I was curious, so, I asked. It seems that over the years people had contributed large amounts to this fund, but very little was needed to maintain a small cemetery adjacent to the church property. I was also informed that “we may need that someday”, and I got the distinct impression that rather than live for today, and reach people in the community – they would much rather sit on funds designated for the dead. Completely amazed me.
Had the same experience in one of the first churches that I ever served in as the Youth Pastor. I had ZERO dollars in my youth budget, and yet there was an exorbitant amount of money in the flower and cemetery fund. I asked (as a naive young minister) “how was this possible?” and was told “that if I knew what was good for (me), (I’d) better not ask… “. Thankfully wisdom prevailed and a youth ministry budget was eventually allocated…. It was a learning experience to say the very least.
Thanks Thomas.
Kevin and Thomas’ stories regarding the unnecessarily large reserves kept in “cemetery accounts” and the secrecy surrounding them provoke me to believe that some churches use this ledger item as nothing more than a “slush fund”. After all, it would be possible to draw on this account or to pay many different “vendors”, “contractors”, etc. for all sorts of nebulous “services” under the purview of such a fund.
Look, I get that the closing of many churches is sad, even regretful, but the reality is that many more need to die (and shall) in the coming tribulation (in the near-term one, not “the great” one) to separate the wheat from the chaff, so to speak. I am not speaking about personal salvation here, but rather about the separation of effective communities of believers from parasitic churches.
Financial impropriety and lack of fiscal wisdom will doom many churches that could otherwise continue on, but their failures will be by no means limited to these faults.
I don’t see that any church needs to die – a better alternative would be for it to turn itself around.
I was with a church that some lady left 640000 dollars 40 plus years ago now .They fixed up the church out side and inside but did not want to work with the youth .There was an average of 35 youth every Sunday morning that was in the late 90’s .Today they have about 8 or 9 all together the youngest is 55 years old , with a payed pianist ,they to are saving it for a rainy day .Yes they have been getting interest for all of them years and this has never been put in a financial report and I went to church there over 12 years. Money is not the answer to church problems not having the heart to follow Christ is .He wants followers and not fans !!
It’s raining…….
This is so true. You are So right. If the work is not being done that needs to be done then money doesn’t go where it needs to go making the issue remain that there is not enough workers so the harvest is few.
This thread is old, but I thought it would be worthwhile to point out that money that has been designated for one purpose by the donor cannot legally be spent for other things. You might wish the donor had not given so much designated to a particular fund, but you are not permitted to divert designated moneys away from the designated fund.
Powerful post, Dr. Rainer. I will definitely be sharing this with my church. We began in 1936, and peaked in the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s. the church has been threw some horrible ordeals, many through kno fault of their own. (A pastor in the 80’s molested children)
A few of these points fit us perfectly, but thankfully, we’re working on it. If you think about it, please pray for the Southside Baptist Church of Winter Haven, Florida.
Tom –
You and your church are definitely in my prayers.
Tom,
Hope you’re accessing the resources God has placed before you, i.e. DOM, Florida Baptist Convention staff, fellow pastors, and others. I pastor in Orlando. Know one or two pastors in your area. Am also willing to be one of those resources if God directs. May you be faithful and fruitful in God’s kingdom!
I remember a seminary professor once telling a classroom of young students, “It takes a church 50 years to die.” The only thing you didn’t mention (although you touched on it in #5) is “Factions in the church were more focused on ‘who won the vote’ (no matter the subject of the vote) than on ‘what does the Lord want?'” Sometimes such churches will also flat-out lie in order to get a pastor. I had one church’s search team assure me that “our vote to call you was unanimous!” Only years later did I learn that the true vote was about 54/46%, and that the ‘motion to make the call unanimous’ only passed by a slightly larger margin. Every major vote that was taken at that church during my 4+ years there (except a vote to beautify the building) was divided by percentages ranging from 50/50 to 55/45.
Good insights Keith.
Thanks. This post was very useful to me. I created a chart, with the problems listed above in boxes to the left, then a column for how this particular problem affected or didn’t affect the church I was talking about in my reply above. I also have put in columns for my PRESENT church, so that I will guard against these problems. Thankfully, only a couple of the problems have presented themselves at the church where I am now, and in fact we seem to be actively moving in the opposite direction toward a more healthy life, after the church’s having gone through two periods of severe distress several years ago. If you’d like to look at the chart, drop me an email.
Thanks Keith. I might do that.
Keith-
I would love to have a copy of this chart. Send it to me if you will.
Thanks’
I would also be interested in hearing more about these (current and former) churches. please send whatever info you can share!
I’d love to see the chart as well!
As a bivo pastor of a very small church in a very small connunity, I would love to see your chart to see how we are doing. I recognize a couple of the symptoms, and would love to be able to do something to inspire the congregation. Thanks.
I would like to see your chart if you will.
Thanks
Hi,
Wow, excellent article. Dear Lord I’m not a pastor but as a lay member help me to remain vigilant.
Will you please send me a copy of the chart as well?
Thank you.
Keith – I would enjoy seeing the chart as well – thanks!
Thom:
I think you glance over the factor of racism. I have seen churches either close their doors or moved because of change of race and culture in a neighborhood. The church was no longer in an all white community. I have had to walk away from churches because they simply didn’t want those kinds of people in their church and made it quite clear that was how it would be. A church cannot thrive if it fails to live and minister in its community. Let’s be honest and admit that there is still a spirit of segregation in churches today. I wish and pray it was not true, but sadly I would be lying if I said it didn’t exist.
Paul –
While racism and white flight are common explanations for the death of many churches, such is not the case of this autopsied church. The community was mostly Anglo 30 years ago, and it still is today. The change has been socioeconomical only. There is certainly prejudice present in this story, but the prejudice here is not racism.
I do not glance past the issue of racism. When it is present, I call it for what it is.
I served on a church staff in the late 80a that was facing this issue. They had always been a “lily-white”, middle-class, close-knit congregation, but as they increasingly turned in on themselves they turned away from the community, which was becoming a melting pot, both racially and economically.
In a staff mtg once, I said what no one else would- “we are going to either move, die, or bloom where we are planted. I believe we know what God’s will for us is.” Sadly, the people in the church did not want to reach the community, thereby choosing to die, as far as I was concerned. I left soon after. Another autopsy, sadly.
Same here. From my experiences, if the leaders don’t stay vigilant in prayer and support each other in every way possible, that is how things break down. I hope that is remembered and being done. What I’ve been through has been so disheartening. I basically went from doing various ministries that I really enjoyed and felt was ministering to people even while I suffered health issues, to getting better only to find out when I returned from the hospital, that everyone was falling apart emotionally and spiritually in the short times I was away in the hospitals. I don’t know details but basically, the workers were too few and the members became disheartened and frustrated and un supportive of each other. I never would want to experience that again. I hope Churches begin to realize the reasons for attending are also to support each other, encourage and strengthen each other to continue God’s work while there’s still time.
Any type of schism which exists in the church has the ability to cause the demise of the church. RacISM, SexISM, and ClassISM. In addition, one cannot forgo the churches unwillingness to invest in youth, young adult and children’s ministries. Social Clubs have certain standards in order to be “voted” in as a member. The church is no exception, she has steadily and increasingly become an inwardly focused “social club”, instead of an outwardly focused living and breathing life force. It’s unfortunate, for many churches (large, small, sunset, and moon) if you don’t look like me, dress like me, act like me or have a lifestyle like me…this environment is not for you. Please don’t misunderstand, I LOVE the church and her endless possibilities, it’s the “churched” who are the problem.
Hi Thom,
I didn’t think you were looking past racism. If there were some you would’ve said so. The prejudice involved in churches like that are against new people in general, not just of a certain race. I’ve known elders who are just prejudice against people who did not grown up in said church and even towards people who don’t want to wake up early to attend church.
I’ve had a goal to consult with churches for as little money as possible (on their part) just so I can get the message to them that things need to change. I’ve seen three churches close their doors and I know many others who are heading in the same direction. I know what a dying church looks like. I just need a way to get into the doors of many of these small churches and I pray I can do it some day soon.
In guest preaching for some churches, I am told afterward by evangelistic thinking people how un-evangelistic their congregation has become. They lament and wish I could pass my passion onto the people in the pews. Don’t you wish you could just touch people and they’d magically catch the evangelism passion you have for the lost?
That’d be a nice super power to have.
Thanks Brian. I really appreciate your words and heart for these struggling churches. I am praying for a great awakening from God.
I think evangelism for the most part is taught not caught! I’ve seen churches mostly move the way the pastor leads. I’ve seen an entire church where the pastor started preaching about love become the “Love Church” I think if the leaders don’t have a plan for teaching and giving opportunities for evangelism, the church won’t just magically begin to evangelize.
I think your point is valid. In the end doesn’t all success as well as failure rise and fall with leadership? I have just been appointed pastor of the church in this article, well, the church name is different and the town different but it’s the same church… It is my job to turn the church around, to lead them to success. Will it be easy, certainly not but I will take responsibility regardless of the outcome. There are a great deal of these types of stories on the internet, I would welcome one success story!
Blessings…
Eye opener! It’s time to breathe new life into our local gathering.
I absolutely concur. Sunday mornings are the most segregated times in American churches. I remember attending a particular church in Denton (Megachurch) and although I went faithfully for some time, the members always addressed me as a guest due to my racial make-up. People honestly need to wake up and realize that heaven will not be segregated. We will all worship Him without regard to race, socioeconomic status, or any other pitfalls that occur on earth that keeps the body of Christ bound. Oh, if there were a renewal in the body of Christ and we would live in love as the first century Christians who were actually persecuted, crucified, tortured and many other horrid atrocities — not being put through all of those trials (although some of us still are), but to have the faith that they did. THE FAITH. THE HOPE. THE LOVE.
I think that phrase about being the most segregated hour is a little abused sometimes.
I’ve interviewed people, many being those that our mostly white congregation helped during the Katrina disaster. I asked specifically about attending a mostly white congregation. I was talking about ours.
I was told they’d rather be in a congregation with people that looked like them. These guys I talked with may have been the exception to the rule, but I don’t think that’s the case. MacGavarn used a term called the homogenous unit prinicple (see link)
http://christianity.stackexchange.com/questions/8553/what-is-the-homogenous-unit-principle-of-church-
growth
People feel more comfortable not having to cross social, class or ethnic barriers just to worship Jesus. Can you imagine unchurched people going to a church for the first time, that’s who we’re guided by Jesus to reach, entering a church building where everyone is different from them in many ways. Now if a neighborhood changes, then the make up of the church should change if the congregation is evangelistic.
I’m now part of a congregation now that is 55% anglo, 30% African American and 15% Hispanic in a community where the demos are about 5% South Asian 12% Pacific Islander 10% African American 20% Hispanic and 53% anglo.
Sorry to ramble Ms. Rita.
You mean people feel more comfortable not having to grow.
yes! why many times they are afriad they will lose the control they have in the church they were born and raised in. they have forgot the purpose of the church!!
Very good point. I was on the board of a church where I was the only dissenting of a vote to hold a funeral for itself. It had at least three years’ expenses in savings (!), I could not then understand why they voted thus, the reasons given were visibly empty. But I’ll think it was exactly what you have written, they despised their neighbors.
While driving by an abandoned old church in Appomattox, VA and wondering what was their story? The Lord gave me the following statement. “They did not vote to die, they simply voted not to live.” A beautiful little church in the vale out of the Norman Rockwell art gallery is now non-existent. The sad story was that no one in the neighborhood even knew their name. Now there is only a grassy knoll where the church once stood. I have pictures. I call it the church with no name.
Powerful story Don. Thanks.
Seven years ago, my wife and I were appointed to a small rural church in Ohio. There were 25 souls worshiping there. I remember my lack of faith in that first month. I prayed that God would allow me to have at least 25 in worship when we moved on. If a parishioner moved away or left to be with the Lord, I asked for another to replace them. I did not want to have a net loss for the Kingdom, at least on my watch as Pastor. We are now in the middle of a building campaign (building half finished) and approaching 200 regular worshipers, many are young families. We are not affluent church but we are passionate about worship. We claim the two most important commandments Jesus gave us and we are constantly amazed at what He is doing in our little church. What is also amazing is that he is using me and my wife at the age of 65 in this wild time. I guess what I want to say—— God still blesses humble people, even in small rural churches.
Thanks for this. I am in my second year of Pastoring a church in NYC and we have 50 worshippers there. Unfortunatly they are all 50 and up age. No Youth attend the children. Barely any children and there is no desire to reach the community. I will continue to pray that God brings more youth and younger adults to our congregation.
Us older people cannot help when we are born. This blog tends to marginalize older people. Churches have programs for young people and young marrieds, but tend to nelect older people. They don’t mind cashing our checks in the offering though.
While I understand your feelings Dennis, I also wonder where Christ is in such a response…
My heart bleeds for your church of 50. You go get the young people Pastor. I don’t care what seminary, if you went, taught you! Bring in the babies, explain to the Grandmas and the grandpas that the babies are going to have to change a lot of poopie diapers, but with your love and their strength, this church has a chance to be revived. Older ones, the youth aren’t your enemies. Younger ones, the older ones are not your enemies. Teach them Grandpa, teach those young people. Don’t come in with the attitude I’m gonna sit these geezers down. But instead come in with the attitude, I have a chance to learn how to love Jesus and endure! Older people say I might not like their music, but I sure love Jesus, so I’ll learn to rock with ’em. We’ll connect both generations together, and Jesus will smile.
I remember I had a dream, and I heard a song being sung. “Where’s Aunt Betty at? Tell me have you seen her? She’s got a lot to give, or did you set her down”? Then I heard “Where’s Deacon Jerry at? Tell me have you heard him? You have a lot to learn, are you listening to him”?
Unfortunately Aunt Betty died without sharing anything with the church, even after I shared my dream. But there were some individuals that heard her, saw her smile, and got to love he!
Bro. Jerry is still here, don’t let him pass before we realize, wow, that man had a whole lot of wisdom.
The point is, the church doesn’t need the older ones to be sit down, or gasp! Be set down, we need both generations to work together in order to receive the ones God wants to send in, that’s like neither one of you. Both generations are part of the quilt that’s being pieced together, but there will be some gaps, and those gaps will be filled by the ones you both disciple.
We have a small bus ministry that picks up kids in the colonias(poorer neighborhoods). It’s Kingdom work that gets ‘older people’ involved in teaching classes. It gets members involved in bibles studies with parents of these kids. Member’s kids get a chance to distribute Christmas gifts in neighborhoods to ‘the least of these’ and see how lucky they truly are. You get a special feeling that only comes from ‘loving your neighbor as yourself. If the Lord builds the outreach ministry, ‘they will come.’ It only takes one to get started.
I was asked to speak at a ladies conference at a church on the other side of town from my own church where I live. They were a small group,maybe 40-50 members, but they did a lot of community service projects. They showed me around the church and I looked at several rooms to decide on where the largest room would hold the most number of ladies. They took me to a room farthest away, they told me it is the youth room, but they have no youth so it was full of left over items from a free garage sale they had just held a few weeks before. I told them we needed this room. They hesitated knowing they had a lot to clean out, but the following week they got together and cleaned out the room in preparation of the conference. When I went back a few weeks later, I saw it was all cleaned out, then I told them it is ready for all of the youth to use. We must prepare, with expectation of what God will do in our churches. I saw they were reaching out to the community in so many ways, God was going to bless them..That was a year ago. just this past month, I found out that they had an event and they had 25 youth in attendance and they are using that same room each week to hold bible study for those same students. I smiled when I heard this. God is so good! We should go, and do… and with great expectation, and give thanks in advance of all the things God is going to do.
Praying with you. It’s a challenging balance because our different generations prefer different music styles and someone always seems to express offence. But stay true to loving God and caring for people by simply being a life-giving ministry
The youth are important in any church, they are the future of the church.Sir, Your children could start a youth outreach to attract young people to church and they should be given opportunity to express themselves in the church.
Where is your church located and how is it doing now?
Thank you for uplifting and encouraging words. Recently appointed to a small rural church the membership roll was two in July of this year. First, I was a bit anxious and often discouraged with the lack of enthusiasm each member displayed. Of course not being much help to my limited supply of members I begin to get up on my faith feet and walk what I had talked. Together we have numbered 13! It might not sound like it’s a large number insomuch as the church before pastoring was over 5,000. Nevertheless, my energy soared when members started returning. I just heard today from one of the parishioners he told me that my ministry was fresh and enjoying the new ideas set with realistic goals has them excited. Things easily banish from our sight. Nothing is a guarantee; yet, I pray that God will permit life to last in order to see the benefits of a packed house in this rural community. The church while packed full of heavenly individuals must see urgent needs. I’ve learned a viable lesson one that carry for years to come. Perchance being in our 60’s is a good thing.
So good to hear your good news!
Thank you for telling your story. It is always encouraging to hear of such good news as God still does the extraordinary with the ordinary.
I am looking forward to talking with you more about your journey.
Pastor Gordon
RE: “We claim the two most important commandments Jesus gave us and we are constantly amazed at what He is doing in our little church.”
Interesting wording – first it struck me as odd, and then the wisdom in it hit me. I usually hear people talk about claiming promises or blessings, when the commandments are what we should be claiming.
You are not just a christian in name only, but an example of a life the way our blessed Master wanted us to be.
What are the two commandments please.
He is likely referring to Matthew 22:37-39
“Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Hey Thom! Do you mind sharing how the disciple making was? What was the vision for it…etc. thanks!
Joel: I have a complete video series about it this fall. I need more than a comment string to respond!
My pastor found out about the book quite by accident on line. The title alone so intrigued me that I asked if the church could by a copy. I felt lead to write a play based on the title alone. With your permission I would like to use the lessons you learned as part of the play. I want to use this play to inspire my church to live and not die
Sad, sobering message, that it can happen to any body of believers, if they turn in rather than reach out.
Yes when a church forgot the purpose of their calling,that they are called to preach the Gospel to every ,they are bound to miss Heaven .
It just happened to us. Our 25 year church ended last week. What I observed was a strong growth approx. 5 yrs. Ago, but strangely a few came in with negativity some related to the Pastors, some not. Those who were not, heard the negativity and ran with it. They spread the news like wild fire until even those who remained faithful and dedicated all those years became disheartened and also left the Church. I remained until the end, but it seems the stronger I became the more others felt the need to stand back and lean upon those remaining who were already emotionally un stable due to lack of support. The Pastor suffered a stroke, his wife well past 60’s, a strong woman but unable to go on caring for the church alone tried and succeeded for 3 more years beyond her husbands stroke, but unfortunately all the other members dropped out one by one every month until only myself and a few newcomers remained. That’s when The Pastor’s wife decided to throw in the towel. I feel if the members had been stronger, this would never have happened. But too many were never willing to step up when those who were over worked weren’t able to continue unsupported physically nor spiritually or emotionally. Sad all the way around.
I pastored a small rural church for 6 1/2 years. 5 of those bi vo. The last 1 1 1/2 years I had retired from my secular job so I was able to devote more time to the church. I started canvassing my community and several people who lived less rhan 1/2 mile from the church did not know about it. I had to retire because of medical reasons in 2011. I see many of the same things happening in my former pastorate. I pray that they will wake up to the reality of their situation.
this breaks my heart, I have been a member of a church that would not look forward, it is slowly dying and it, too, breaks my heart……we can move forward, without loosing our moral compass and compromising The Standard
wow, i read this post after reading the “Autopsy of a deceased church”… i’m long winded but help me make this short Father(IN jESUS NAME), ok my heart was so hurt an excited at the same time (with breaking comes change) reading this blog an its 1st comment. my hearts desire has always been to be apart of a healing anointed church so that desire has lead me to many churches that needed this consulting! i feel i am getting closer to my destiny,i thought it was customer service but what i see in my God lead vision is that its CHRIST’s Love that we as living sacrifices need to serve the people. i understood that we are the church(temple)…if we —1 Corinthians 6:19–20
19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? 20 For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.
so if we don’t allow God to fill us an begin the process of transformation then the brick, wood, metal building has no breath of LIFE. I am going to be a part of this wonderful shift of change that is about to swish(slam dunk) through the church(our temples) Plaace me were you want me Lord, it starts right here, right now, thank you Thom an Don, brothers an sisters for being a part also!!
Dude. Love the enthusiasm. Just chill and let God work.
A believer cannot “chill” if he has the power of God in his life. We are the vessels whereby God uses us to go into the highways and byways to preach, teach, pray for the oppressed , cast out,…prayer for healing in Jesus Christ of Nazareth’s Holy Name. This is TRUE Apostolic teaching that Jesus taught. Read the New Testament over and over, and you’ll see that what I’m saying is true. We need to ask the Heavenly Father for a double portion of His Holy Spirit so we may live this “believers” life as was taught by Jesus, and we can do so in the power of the Holy
Spirit. This is especially important in these trying times in today’s society. Read the Book
of Acts thoroughly. It is the example for us to live by for today. Don’t neglect all the other books in the New Test. either. We are the “church”. We are not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together to learn about what the Lord has revealed to us all, but we also must stop “playing church”…where it is the same ole’ same ole’ sermon week in and week out. Let the Holy Spirit move, as this is where the power of the Gospel is ignited. Remember in the Old Test. the verse that states: “the people without a vision will perish”
AMEN!
Im agree my church nobody pray, except for 8 memebers each Saturday at 7.30 am pray for 1 hours…nobody coming also dont have other point to pray….few peolple…everything coming down….
I appreciate Thom Rainer’s article and Don Matthews’ response…especially the words the Lord gave to him: “They did not vote to die, they simply voted not to live.” Unfortunately, that is true in too many churches. I’m forwarding this article to my husband, who is a District Superintendent in the United Methodist Church. Good read…
Thanks for your sentiments Thom. It’s really, hurts. You have truly confirmed my “worst fears about the traditional and conservative congregations.
the thing’s of the world has got people not caring about church. we live in a word today that has got in to big of a hurry. when asking people in your area to come and visit or on face book giving them direction’s they still do not come. we are a small church of about 20 member’s once we had about 60 in the early 80’s older member’s dying out younger generation does not want to attend even when invited. when people are not working they are at home resting playing video game’s on cell phone’s going to sporting event’s fishing taking trips watching TV all the thing’s the devil use’s to keep there mind off of the LORD GOD! our nation is still standing because of people still praying but sin is raging more and more. we as believer’s and still are holding on to GOD’S WORD need to go into our closet’s and pray harder. turn off the TV’S video game’s cell phone’s and give GOD all our time in prayer. i believe that we are about to take our trip home to heaven like the word of GOD say’s for us to watch and look toward the eastern sky. our GOD is closer to sending his son JESUS back sooner than we think. may GOD bless the USA AMEN!
Re: Abandoned old church in Appomattox, VA
Thank you for sharing this story. Around 1976, six months after I was saved in my home, I was afraid to go to go to a church of another religion that preached the gospel because of my catholic heritage. I was 15, when I finally decided to attend, I was hooked because of the love from the people. The church had just come out of a split and with encouragement from some of the people, I was baptized, joined the choir, and joined the softball team. I learned how to love others and souls. Brought the teachings and Christian love home to reach my family where they were saved and transformed. This took several years of living differently for God. I made mistakes in front of them, but they still got saved.
I regret to say this but your “Autopsy of a Deceased Church” is completely wrong! First of all, you need to read the Autopsy Report in Revelation Chapters 2 & 3 where Jesus gave an evaluation of the Seven Churches. In it, there is none of the excuses given by you Thom. Jesus gives the same commandment to each of the Seven Churches, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the Churches” (Rev. 2: 7, 11, 17, 29; 3: 6, 13, 22). These so-called churches that have died was the result of pastors, clergy, who have never received the authentic Baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2: 4; Mk. 16: 16 – 20).
Absent from these churches is the work of the Holy Spirit as described in Hebrews 2: 3b -4). It (the Gospel) was declared first , and it was attested to us by the Lord, and it was also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his own will.” Every church has to be a place of God’s Miracles. I have never seen a pastor and his church close down when the same signs, wonders and miracles are a part of the normal ministry of any church. I receive telephone calls, email and snail mail from people in Canada, the USA & other countries asking where they can find a church where miracles happen. And, that is the reason why people abandon churches where Jesus work is being carried on by pastors who have never been led by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the second half of being Born Again, exactly as describe in the New Testament. Jesus catches our attention today when we know Him as our Savior and have the daily guidance of the Holy Spirit (Jn. 16: 7 – 15). And anybody who claims that the work of the Holy Spirit and the Gifts of the Holy Spirit does not happen today, means that they do not know their Greek Grammar in the New Testament. The perfect end will not occur until 1 Cor. 14: 24 when the trumpet will sound (1 Cor. 15: 51 f.) In our ministry, we are seeing miracles as a normal part of our ministry which accompanies the preaching of the Gospel. We have all of the 15 Gifts of the Holy Spirit functioning in our ministry through the people who are a part of our ministry. It would appear in your lists of the “Autopsy of a Deceased Church” that you have only used a business evaluation and not a “Spiritual Evaluation” of the Churches. I would close with this one final comment. In Jesus’ evaluation of the Church in Ephesus, He said, “But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love (agape) which you did at first. Remember then how far you have fallen, repent and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent” (Rev. 2: 5). Removing the candlestick from its place means that Jesus would close their church down. And, as many of you know: there has been no church in Ephesus for at least 1,000 years. My conclusion is that your “autopsy is faulty” and will only result in more would-be churches dying. So, the solution is to follow closely what is described in the New Testament and develop churches where people will be able, not only to receive salvation and the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and signs, wonders and miracles. Then, you will not be able to get people to stay away. Let’s start doing the ministry of Jesus Christ and led and guided by the Holy Spirit.
Those words about that church sounds so much like our church, we live in the past, we have closed our eyes to the condition of the building. we have shut out the community, coming together is a thing of the past, praying together is only done on Sunday mornings, it’s as though you’ve come to visit us and we were unaware of you presents