Eight Signs That Point to Probable Church Death

Podcast Episode #337

These eight signs are almost always evident in churches that are on their way to death. Does your church exhibit any of these?

Some highlights from today’s episode include:

• Blogs create fans, podcasts create family.
• Four consecutive years of decline indicate a problem that must be addressed.
• If your congregation is mostly senior adults, you’re only a few funerals away from closing the church doors.
• Don’t sit and expect younger people to come to your church. You have to work to connect with them.
• In churches that are on their way to death, members often fight fiercely for their preferences.
• One of the most sacred cows in dying churches is the parlor.

The eight issues we cover are:

1. There has been a numerical decline for four or more years.
2. The church does not look like the community in which it is located.
3. The congregation is mostly comprised of senior adults.
4. The focus is on the past, not the future.
5. The members are intensely preference-driven.
6. The budget is severely inwardly focused.
7. There are sacred cow facilities.
8. Any type of change is met with fierce resistance.

Episode Sponsors

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Vanderbloemen Search Group is the premier pastor search firm dedicated to helping churches and ministries build great teams. Their Fall Lead Pastor and Executive Pastor Coaching Networks are now open for registration, and our very own Dr. Rainer will be speaking at the Fall Lead Pastor Coaching Network.

So if you’re a Lead Pastor or an Executive Pastor looking for peer roundtable coaching, check it out at vanderbloemen.com/coaching. It’s limited to 16 folks, so apply today before it fills up.

Feedback

If you have a question you would like answered on the show, fill out the form on the podcast page here on Church Answers.

Resources Mentioned in Today’s Podcast

• Eight Signs Your Church May Be Closing Soon
• The Need for Church Replanting featuring Mark Clifton – Rainer on Leadership #320
• Reclaiming Glory